Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-12-25


| like child
"Oh, my child" he said, wailug the words,
| why did you give M your fair beauty TO save
my old battered face?" ''You Sec" he said to
us as we entered the room. "she was STOPPING
| over the erueibe and saw the seething thar
warns us of an explosion. ] was nearest the
| fire. There was no time to speak, and as she
| leaned over to pnsh me back the whole contents
of the crucible flared in her face. All for me!
All for meP'
"But did you not see?" cried mother.
81 was watching another vessel. She was
| quite chemist, this Meta of ours. What will
my boy say when he sees how his fathers care
lessness has cost his wife so muchP
"Will she live?' whispered, for Meta lay so
motionless it terrified me.
"Lvel Yes, yes. l have stupe6ed her now to
| deaden the pain in her face. She is sleeping.
| She will live, but the pretty face is gone 1t will
| be hdeous mask of burns and seams, one eye
| drawn down on the cheek. Our beauty will he
beauty no longer. And all to save me. She
| might have passed me aud escaped; but she
stad to push me aside, and SO suffers for me
| now"
Weeks rolled away before we really saw
| Metals face. She was brought home, but DIR.
| Vandercoort kept her covered with bandages
| Faithfully he tried to restore to her, as far as
possible, the beauty that was gone forever. All
| that tender love and skill could do was done,
| and never were more devoted nurses than wait
| ed upon our cousin. We all loved the bright
lltte beauty, anu 1 lUlUN ANY Out VI Us NOu'h
| gladly have resigned whatever looks we pos
sessed to see thar face all loved restored to It's
former loneliness.
But it was not to be. Herman came home,
| and Meta begged be might not yet come TO see
| her. She was still very weak for she had he IN
| i'll from the shock of the explosion, and she
begged me TO keep her lover away for little
while.
Never shall forget the day when for the first
time she WAS dressed, and sat NC by the window.
We were alone together; the soft July air came
in upon us, as settled the great arm chair, and
enderly helped my little cousin across the room.
She had grown very thin, and her dress hung
loosely upon her. Over her face were still
bound the cool linen baDdages, her one sound
eye being the only feature visible,
For some time after sue was seated, Meta was
silent, her head bowed upon her hand, and her
attitude convincing me the poor afflicted one was
seeking higher comfort than any we could Offer
[ moved softly about the room, airing the bed
laying ont clean linen and performing the duties
nurses find so necessary when their patient first
sits up.
When looked again at Meta she was remov-
ing her bandages with a steady hanl. All, me!
1t was pliiul to see the face under them! 1t was
all healed now, but drawn 70 one side, one eN c
terribly disigured and sghtless, with stare
IN its deadened expression. The lovely COM
plexion was now nearly blood red all over, the
sweet mouth alone was unframed, quivering
with the pain Meta strove bravely TO hide. All
the upper part of the face was altered beyond
recognition, but the mouth and daintily rounded
chin were unframed. As she laid the last BAN
daoe upon her lap, Meta asked for mirror
Not to-day, darling, | said, kissing her fond
ly. you will do well if you can sit up an hour
or two to-day"
cam |, then, so very hideous~ she asked.
"You are altered" said gently; "but we love
you Meta-not your face"
"Poor Metal!
az think it is moor Meta p
at will be hard to give him up!'
"You do not think will hold him TO his en-
eagement now, do your He may be honorable
enough 10 marry me, but how could make him
endure the misfortune of seeing me, day after
day? He worships beauty"
did not speak. How could say he would
not shrink in horror from this fearful mask on
the face of Meta? 1t was true, we all knew,
that Metals beauty bad at first attracted him,
and we had all watched his absorbed gaze too
often not to know how fond he was of the sweet
face. Would he now set above this lost beauty
the gentle nature, the self sacrifice, and above
all, thu true Christian patience and resignation
that had excited the fearful admiration of us
all? We had loved our gay, brilliant beauty,
but with deeper, truer, purer love, felt our
hearts drawn to the gentle sufferer, who had
not once uttered complaint or murmured at
her hard lot.
Meta did not speak again for some moments,
then she said, gently but firmly:
blNt lHt Hdllu IulllOi Cdn DtaI IL
now"
Silently handed her the glass, and she looked
steadily for some moments at her own Tedec-
ton. sWben she handed it back to me she actual
ly smiled, wan smile that was mole touching
than tears.
az see it," she said. "a see what | must call
my face in futurel Now let Herman come in 4.
You have made The room neat, so he can come"
| touched Metals hair tenderlv, curling it in
its old soft, full curls. 1t was unnured by the
accident, and drew it down as far as could
over the poor, SCARED face, and went down stairs
to meet DR.. Vandercoort, senior.
''Meta wishes to see Herman" said, and not
trusting my voice for more, hurried up stars
again.
A single glance showed me that the curs
were pushed back, and Meta watching eagerly
| for Herman. Her little white hands crossed IN
her lap, trembled violently, but her face was
steady
doctor Vandercoort has gone for Herman,
dear" | said and took my place behind her
chair, softly touching Der bright hair.
We waited but little time-it seemed hours
before the door opened, and father and son came
in together.
l watched Herman's face jealousy, eagerly
Not one moment Of hesitation, one look OF re-
pugnance could have escaped my eyes. Bat
there was none. Straight TO the chair, with
quick steps. his large eyes full of love, be came,
the loyal, true hearted lover Not even ptv
marred his face; nothing rested there but love
and deep thankfu1ess.
"rhank God you are spared TO me" he said
kissing the poor, diSfgured face "How can
ever repay you, Meta, for nv fathers life? The
shock at his are must have been fatal Tor see
how it has shaken you. Your little hands are
so thin, darling" and he kissed and caressed
| them, "Ihey break my heart; but we will soon
| have t5em well again now, Meta
But" she protested t, ebly, "io0k atme. You
can not wish me for wife now, Hermann
A look OF deep pain crossed his face.
"Meta, beloved one" he said sAlemnly, edo
| not insult my love again. You are mine, now
| and ever, nv true wife
And resting her hand upon his broad breast
the first tears sprang from Meta's ewes, as she
| realized how deeply and truly she was loved.
We had gay wedding and in the house on the
hill presides the little lady who was "our pretty
| cousin"