The Portland daily press., 1868-07-11
selected Story.
THE LAME BRIDE.

stopped for moment to allow gentlemen
10 alight and sped ON its way again. The
assenger thus left sazed for moment in as
tonishment at the dimlnutiye village. and
then, with look anything but pleasant, pro
ceeded on his way.
Richard Meade, or, us he was more com
monty known, Dick Meade, was a Young gen
tleman about twenty-five Yeas OF age, rich,
Sood-looklng and generous. Ever since he
had donned coat Dicks lite had been pass
ed In an endless round Of faslionabe amtse-
ment. Riding, ieasting and firing had been
the order OF the day, until DICK was fairly
surleited with this endless round OF amuse-
ment, and he ionged Tor change, fer some
thing different But where was he to 90 for
change? He would go TO Saratoga. No. il
anything that would he worse than the CITY
Then he betbought himself OF a trip TO the
country, and a taste of the pleasures of rural
life. He would bury himself in solitude
and recuperate his energies. He had often
heard his father speak OF an old college chum
who had retired in the country So he re-
solVed 10 visit Mr.. Stewart, and having been
rendered an invitation he set set out for B..
he had also heard of Mary, Mr.. Stewards
daughter, but did not expect much compan-
lonshlp from an awkward county girl.
DICK trudged along, stopping every now
and then to wipe the perspiration tIom his
forehead. As he walked along, he soliIoqlliz-
ed to himself somewhat alter this fashion.
We'll, here am, out in the country at
last. COniound the dusty roads. | almost
regret did not follow sister Ems advice and
accompany her to Saratoga, as all nv friends
wanted me to. And then this Mary Stewart.
suppose, is coarse, duinpy country Girl,
with shrlll voice, hands large enough to
make dozen OF mine, and only fit to he in a
Kitchen. suppose shall be afflicted with
hernasal twang, awkward manners all sum-
mer long. Still don't know but that it will
be fully as agreeable as the affected tones of
M ISIS brown, or the griInaceS OF widow Simp-
son. Heghol 1 declare this walk has given
me an appetite, and shall relish nv sumner.
All here we are"
lie stopped before a large old-fashoned
house, one OF those comfortable places with
high trees surrounding ii, giving il a cool and
celIclousiy calm aspect. Very slowly Dick as
cended the high steps, iof the walk had quite
tifed the fashionable city gent. He paused
a moment before knocking TO adjust his neck
tie and then raised tie huge brass knocker
which came down with such Il bang that
Dick started in alarm. In a moment Il neat,
tidy-looklng servant came to the deor and
ushered him into neatly furnished parlor.
On couch within this parlor lay Young
lady. For moment Dick fairly held his
breath, SO surprised and enchanted was he
at the beautiful being before him. lie STAN
mered out something about his wishing to
see Mr.. Stewart.
BE seated, sir NV father is AT the VILLAGE
but will feturn SOON"
your father?" asked Dick. "Are Won
Mary Stewart?"
81 am"
This was the climax of Dicks surprise
Pray be seated, sir" said Mary
DICK mechanically obeyed, and sat down
upon his beaver.
II suppose this is Mr.. Meade, OF whom my
father spoke?n
'Yes,'' was all Dick could muster courage
10 say.
But he soon forget his embarrassment as
Mary skillfully led hnn into an easy and
agreeable conversation. Still Dicks ewes
never once wandered from Mary's face dur
ing mat whole afternoon. it was face of
great beauty that he gazed upon. Long,
sweeping lashes fell gently over an eve OF
blue; mouth OF exquisite sweetness with
red, pCuting lips; wreath OF brown ringets.
winch cluster round u brow of alabaster
Whlteness, and complexion fair and as ra-
Grant as the first blush of morn This was
Mary Stewart, quite different from the pic
ture Dick had drawn, of brown skin, pug
nose, dmnpy figure and nasal twang.
DICK was enchanted, bewildered lascinaf-
ca, ana quite forgot his appetite until called
to his senses by the supper bell AT the Ia |
bic Dick looked for Mary, but much to his |
ctha9rin, she did not make her appearance, so |
he contented himself With play ing the agree |
able TO Mrs. Stewart. After the meal had
been dispatched, Dick returned TO the parlor |
where he found Mary lying on the sofa the |
same as in the afternoon.
well upon my word" thought Dick, "she |
is either very lazy OF else suffering from Sc |
we're headache" |
The evening was beautiful, the moon
brilliant light on all around |
making second day. Dick sat gazing on |
the beauty OF the night and allowing The
cool evening breeze t) wait across his brow
lie thought walk in the garden would be |
to the fair Mary, so he asked.
"You seem i'll, Miss Stewart"
1"Oh, no; am as well as usual"
Your health, then, infer, is generally |
poor.'
Not at all; am very healthy"
"A slight headache, perhaps" said Dick.
Far from it, sir"
"rhen perhaps stroll in the garden would |
be agreeable"
Il am very sorry TO be forced to refuse your
kind offer, but-but AN unfortunate lameness |
contracted in childhood, prevents me from |
enjoying such beautiful nights"
What thought Dick "such a creature |
lame! All now know the secret of her
not rising"
That night strange dreams haunted Dicks
couch. beautiful being, the likeness in
form and feature of Mary Stewart. came to |
llm, ana as he was about TO embrace it, |
ran lmping away. -
On waking the next morning, Dick resoIy-
I'd That on the succeeding day he would re-
turn to New York. But, alas! for the re-
solves OF the youth who has once felt Loves |
magical power. -
The next day and the next slipped away
md still found Dick Meade at Mary's side
Ihe days heightened into weeks, and vet
Dick remained in b.
foor lllckl lie was perfectly miserable.
Inc TACT oil the business was he was in love
With Mary Stewart, and yet her unfortunate
ameness seemed an unsurmountabIe barrier.
wenty times he resolved to throw himself
al Marys leet and offer her his heart and
hand, and as often would he restrain him
self.
what" queried Dick, $50 through life
With imping wife! No, never. And vet
She is beautiful But what would her beau
-y avail il brought in contact with my CITY
friends. The handsome dashing Dick Meade
would be the butt OF a thousand eibes and
leers. No; will return Tomorrow"
There was fierce battle raging in Dicks
breast between love and pride First, love
would seem about 10 win the conflict, and
them pride would make fresh attack and
put love, for while, to light; but love at
last proved victorious.
The next day Dick did not return to town
but threw himself at Marys feet, and offered
her bis heart, hand and fortune. Yes, the
lashmg Dick Meade was conquered at last,
after having stood fierce seigc of mammas
ana fascinating daughters, and by lame
girl.
II love you Mary, and would make you my
wife"
No, Mr. Meade, it cannot be- | would not
expose you 10 ridicule."
Let any one, by look or deed, dare insult
you and will have his l:ler
but you, Richard, are young, rich and
and could not long love a poor
cripple. For while perhaps il would be
web enough, but the world, with its gay al
lurements, would soon draw you off. You
must look further and find one who can Join
lile."
"Oh, do not talk thus. Give me the right
to guide you, and Twill watch over you day
and night, nor for a moment allow myself to
min9le in the iollies of lile'
81 would not keep you from them, nor
would wish to be the means of restraining
you from AL pleasures. Therefore, Richard, / |
must refuse your offer"
Mary, you must be mine. You are the
lrSt woman who has ever exciting such holy
feelings within my heart. You do not love
me-"
~ do love you, Richard, very dearly and it
is that love that prevents my making YOU an |
object Of scorn and ridicule, | cannot be- |