Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-05-30

empty, while no counterleiteu mating gait
aud pat large piece Of plaster on bis left
cheek to cover an imaginary sabre cut.
In few minutes. Mrs. Markham appeared.
Returned at last J" cried she, warmly shak-
ing his hand. "My dear Paul"
There's not much left Of me-little better
than half" said the soldier. 81 left my poor
arm in the West Indies"
Poor, dear Paul." said the lady. q" And
how is your leg?'
"very poorly. I am troubled with daily
e1folia,ion Of the bone.'
Poor Julisr she sighed.
"She will be much affected at the change in
me, will she not ?" asked the brave Captain,
"oh, dear. no was thinking Of the change
in her."
"Change in he" |"
"What haven't you heard 2"
mot word"
"Ahl see-shc was afraid to write to you.
She has lost all her beauty"
Possiblep
"Ycs-you know she was never vaccinated.'
Never vaccinated" I"
"No-and she has had the smallpox very
badly. Poor Julia. She has lost the sight Of
her right eye. Her face is very much discOlcE-
ed Her nose is terribly red"
a red nose p
Eyes 1t doesn't matter so much about her
eyes-she wears blue spectaclcs.'
"Blue spectacles and red nose? exclaim-
ed the Captain.
But you don't mind that. Beauty is moth
ing" said Mrs Markham, who wastavishingly
beautiful herself "You love Julia for her
heart; you always told her so. And as you
are so manned aud disfgured yourself, why,
you can sympathizc with and console each 9TH
er. You will be very wellassorted couple
three arms and three eyes between you"
And red nose and blue spectaclos"
groaned the Captain.
Hush here comes julia" said Mrs. Mark
ham. Don't appear shocked, Julia, my dear.
here's the Captain"
The door opened, and Julia entered. sho
had painted her face most artistically pair
of blue spcctacles concealed her fine, black eyes,
but the marvellous feature of her face was her
nose-:t glowed with all the brilliancy Of
carbuncle
"0h, dear Paul. saidshe; "poor, dear Paul;
how much you must have suffered"
"I have one arm left for you to lean upon,'
said the Captain
"But you are lame. We can never dance
the Schottisch any more"
81 don't know but can manage It, all but
the side steps and hops" said the Captain, rue
fully.
"But don't you fnd me hideous ?" asked tho
fair one.
mot exactly" said the poor Captain
" The tip Of your nose is rather a warm color.
to be sure"
"oh, the doctor saysi it will settle into
purple, by-and-by.'
"0b, he does, does he?' said the Captain.
Do you thinl, should look better with ?
purple hose 2" asked Julia.
Speak not Of It, said the Captain. "But
tell me, when you heard Of M injuries, were
you not inclined to relinquish riy hand p
Not for a moment
"Then forgive ny deception. " said the Cap
tain. Here is my lsft arm as sound as ever
I have no wound upon ny cheek can dance
from dark till dawn
"How could you be 50 cruel y said Julia.
"tt is ny turn to ask you whetheTGou are
still willing to fulfil your engagement with
me"
With ali my heart" said the Captain. 81
AM grisyed for The lo,s Of your beauty, con
fess but your heart and mind are dcarer than
your person"
Excuse me for moment" ssid the lady;
" | must retire fer few moments"
In an instant she returned, radiant in all tho
glory Of her charms.
"Paul," said she. "bow do you like me now?'
"You are an angel" said the Captain, hold
ing her in bis arms. "How could you treat
me socruelly with the red nose and spectacles%
"Not word Of that said the beauty. I'VE
have friendsin camp who exposed your jealous
folly, and it was only 'tit 70. tat
Il deserve it all said the Captain, "and here
ayow am cured Of jealousy forever
When they were married, which followed as
a matter Of course, they were pronounced the
handscmest couple tha: ever submitted to the
matrimonial moose.