Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-07-05

about the room, airing the bed, lay
ing out clean linen, and performing
the duties that nurses find 50 neces-
ssry when their patient first sits up.
When looked again at Meta she
was removing her bandagcs with
steady hand. All, mel 1t was pitt
ful to see the face under theml 1t
was all healed now, but drawn to
one side, one eye terribly dishgured
and sighuess, with a stare in its
deadened expression. The lovely
complexion wasi now nearly blood
red all over; the sweet mouth alone
was unharmed, quivering with the
pain Meta Yainly strove to hide. All
the upper part Of her face was al
tered beyond recognition, but the
mouth and daintily rounded chin
were unharmed. As she laid the
last bandage upon her lap, Meta
asked for mirror.
aNot to-day, my darling" | said,
kissing her fondly."
Gam l so very hideousf"
"You are altered; but we love you,
not your face" l said.
"Poor Metal"
81 think il is poor Metap
''It will be hard to give him up J"
"You do not think l would hold
him to his engagement new? He
may be honorable enough to marry
me, but how could l make him en-
dure the misfortune of seeing me?
He worships beauty"
did not speak. How could / say
he would not shrink in horror from
the fearful mask on the face of Ne
Ia? Ii was true, we all knew, that
Metals beauty had at first attracted
him, and we had all watched his alb
sorbed 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
I sacrifice, and above all, the true
Christian patience and resignation
that had excited tho fearful admira-
/ ton of us all7 We had loved our
gay, brilliant beauty, but with a
deeper, truer, pureT love felt our
hearts drawn to the gentle sufferer,
who had not once entered COM
i plant or murmured at her hard lot.
Meta did not speak again for
some moments, then she said, gent
/ ly, but firmly:
"GiVe me the hand-mirror; / can
bear il now"
Silently handed her the glass,
and she looked steadily for some
4 When she handed IL back to mo she
actually smilled-a wan smile that
was more touching than tearS-
al see it," she said. 81 see what
must call my face in the future.
Now, let Herman come in. You
have made the room neat so he can
come"
touched poor Metals hair tender
ly, curling in its old, soft, full eurls.
Ii was fortunately uninjured by the
accident, and l drew il down as far
as could over the poor, Scared
face, and went down stairs 10 meet
tDr. VandercoOrt, senior.
"Meta wishes to see Herman" /
said, and not trusting my voice
for more l hurried mp strairs again.
A single glance showed me that
the curls were pushed back, and
meta watching eagerly for Herman.
Her little white hands, crossed in
her lap, trembled violently, but her
face was steady.
"Dr. Vandercoort has gone for
Herman, dear" said, and took my
place behind her chair, softly touch
ing her bright hair.
We waited but little tme-it
seemed hours-before tho door
Iopened, and father and son came to-
gether.
watched Herman's face jealous
Ily, eagerly. Not one moment Oi
Il fNN n NJ
could have escaped my eyes. But
there was none. Straight TO thu
chair; with quick steps, and hii
large eyes Of love, he came, the 10y
al. true-hearted lover. Not ever
tpity marred his face; nothing resteC
: there but love and deep thankful
ness.
: "Thank God, you are spared me,
said he, kissing the poor disfgure'
) face. How can ] ever repay yel
for my fathers life5 The shock a
! his age must have been fatal, for Sc
how il has shaken you. Your littl
hands are so thin, darling" and h
! kissed and caressed them, "the,
! break my heart; but we will sOOl
} have them we'll again now, Meta"
"But," she protested, very feebly
sslook at me. You cannot wish IN
for a wife, now, Hermann"
| A look OF deep pain crossed hi
face.
"Meta, beloved one," he said sol
, | emnly, "do not insult my love again
] You are mine, now aud forever, m.
: true wife,"
And resting her head upon hi
broad chest, the first tears spraDl
+ from Metals eyes, as she realize,
how deeply and truly she was loved
We had a gay wedding, and in tn
house on the hill presides the littl
lady who was "our pretty cousin"