The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-03-12

smiled DOWN upon neI gfaciOuoiy, SS |
looked up at him with glow in her eyes
which the poor young lawyer couio no.
bear. He turned on his heel and walReo
away, grinding some resentful thought
under the sole of his big boot.
Persis scarcely noted that he went
Some time hence, when years of experience
should soften her harsh Judgments sns
would learn TO appreciate lump oil gen
uine gold, even though half buried III
quartz; not yet.
"Was it q pleasant dance, Mr.. Warner
said she, playing with the delicate ian sue
had just rescued from the clumsy clasp vi
Mr.. Zelie
Indifferently so, Miss Persis. With
another lady might mention as partner,
how charming"
Persis blushed, agreeably to expectation.
Mr.. Warner liked to play with those \
bushes; it was delightful to call them up /
at his bidding: such bright, shy things I
that even the 0dious crutch was forgotten,
or gloriied, in their rosy light,
$50, in spite of my neglect, you were
not left to play the wall continued
he, taking seat beside her, and boldly
possessing himself of her little hand.
mo, not a wsli-hower," repeated sne,
timidly, half Withdrawing her hand, hall
yielding it to his clasp.
1t seems to rue, Persis, that young law,
yer hovers about you very persistently.
There was the slightest touch OF pique
in Mr.. Warmers tone, and it thrilled the
simple heart of Persis
"He is g worthy young man. mamma
says, and must like him" replied she,
with resssuring smile He does not
smoke cigars, like the beasts that perish,
added she, in her quaint way.
Mr.. Warner offered q correction. Man
is the only animal that smokes" said he,
with wise smile for he never understood
Persis when she talked playfuily. Mr..
zelie had the advantage of him there.
"He is tremendous worker, that Zelie;
began at the foot of the ladder, and is
steadily climbing up. Forgive me, Persis,
but seeing how he presumes upon your
old child-friendship, have sometimes
feared" rs be- "a
"Oh, stanleyl"
The frank, guileless eyes which looked
up in honest surprise ct the unspoken sug-
gestion of attachment for another, how
could Mr.. Warner mistake their meaning?
He did not mistake it The heart of bis
little friend had long been to him an open
book, and very easy reading. Not that
Persis was by any means forward or
unmaidenly; but she had not yet learned
the woman's lesson of concealing her
emotions. Perhaps If there had been q
trife more of the blindness Of love
athwart the young mans vision he could
not have seen 70 resd 30 clearly. He
sincerely admired Persis; be thought he
loved her, or that he should love her If he
only dared. But then that terrible crutch |
Il swung over his head like the sword of
Dsmocles. Tonight he seemed for the
first time to forget it. She looked 30 IN
usually beautiful; she had such sincere
affection for him; how could he resist the
attractions
"Persis," said he, in low, thrilling tones,
words csrnot say how dear you are to
me- May I hope" etc, etc.
A commonplace loye-scene. Another
was going on under the same roof that
very evening, and not q pins choice be-
tween the two; but You may be sure it
was all as fresh and glorious TO Persis as
if the world had Just been created, and she
and Stanley were alone in it. The little
hand which lay in his was not Withdrawn,
nor was there tine faintest sign of indif-
ference in the eyes bent timidly on the
floor. 1t al ended in the most orthodox
manner they left the party betrothed.
As Persis passed Ephraim on the stair
way he faltered out hurried Good
night" and she beamed down upon him
so grsciously that he walked home on
bed of roses, and never really came
to his senses till Mrs. Blake dropped in to
tea week afterward and said her charm
ing new friend, Persis Talbot, was going
to be married. Now Mrs. Blake was own
aunt TO Ephraim. Think what plebeian
he must have been to have relatives who
took in sewing She was quiet, sensi-
bic woman, who attended strictly to her
own business, and had almost pricked
away her left iorefinger down to the bone.
What she said was usually the simple
truth, and you might depend upon it.
Ephraim's heart stood still.
"Persis Talbot did you say ?"assed he,
picking currant cut of bun with the
e., 10 STANLEY warner; the affair is
cut-and dried" replied the not oyereleqsnt
Aunt Blake, as indiferently, her nephew
thought, as II she had been abiding to a
bushel of pippins Mr.. Zelie sat late, at
his desk that night and scrubbed black
Ichabod on every blank bit of paper
at hand. twas all the outward sign be
ever gave of the hidden wound. His |
own mother observed no change in him, !
exce pit that "he fell away from his food" |
and stood in daily need of chamomile tea.
Even Persis herself, walking on |
thrones" never once suspected she was |
trampllng over heart. The happy young |
creature saw in life but one shadow, and |
that was the shadow of her crutch. 1t |
might now be supposed to grow less, but,
on the contrary, il rather increased.
"Oh, mother" she sighed one day.
" Stanley says it is all the defect I have
this lameness mean"
docs hes" remarked Mrs. Talbot.
dryly, and with the set look about the
lips she always wore when Stanley's name
was mentioned. "Does her then I SUM-
pose he is thankful for that one defect
Not being anywhere near an angel him
self, he can't wish for perfection in you"
"Oh, mamma, he knows am yery hu-
man indeed it il only his way of talking"
said Persis, with one of her quick bushes
l should be so glad for his sake to walk
like other people. Do you know there is
3 way--a terrible wsy-I hardly dare tell
you"
A terrible way to what!"
"To walk, gasped Persis, the color dv-
ing out entirely, and her white lips trem-
bling as she spoke. "Amputation-as far
IS the ankle. Then, when the time comes,
! cork foot. You know, mamma, a cork
loot walks beautifully"
"Persis Talbot How could you con.
,eive such dreadful ideag"
"Oh, heard of girl once who had ii
lone. ! have seen her-Abby Harlow.
You would never detect the slightest limp. !
You know, mamma, all the patent con-
rivances for the feet to do no good. I
must always swing this cruel, detestable l
.rutch, unless-"
"Persis, when did you see Abby Har- {
ow? Who introduced your"
81 saw her last week, mamma, when 7
vent with Stanley to the Islands" &
Mrs Talbot's lips shut together with
spring-lock What she thought of ]
Ter son-in-lsw elect it had always
,een easy to guess by what
he did not say. Persis looked at her in I
uiringly, and, as their eyes met, cold t
litter of determination rose in both pairs '
orbs. Gentle Persis had steel In her !
ss well as her mother; the '
NO NATURES met sometimes and struck T
re. l.
:" think, mamma" said the young .
lrl, few weeks later, al shall go
} Boston and submit to the operation ?
,oke of"
Her voice was low and sweet, but there v
as no wayering In it.
Not with my consent, my daughter" C
am 80 sorry, mamma; but you will q
nnk better OF it. Papa has consented. b
e Is going with me, snd-and-Mr. War A
there was no help for it. Persis had 8.
J ner feet In the terrible way" and g.
Us. Talbot. with 8. mother's heart, could d
DO less than follow. The world knew q
o.nlng OF the object Of the journey. But i,
Pnrsim Zelie learned 1t from his Aunt r
axe, who, unless she shut her ears, could g
u nelp hearing the warm discussions be. er
Ieen mother and dannhter suhinh ,uara b.