The Newtown bee., 1880-12-08
BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY
HER SIDE.

HER SIDE.
 An expostulation from my aunt, and 3 frown from my cousin John; but, un- needing. l continue my remarks:
 l never was so disappointed in my lifel To think of calling him a hero that weakly, delicate-looking cripple!''
 "Oh, Midget, hush! He's comingw
 It IS warm afternoon, and we are all out upon the veranda; my cousin is swinging lazily to and fro in hammock which is suspended just beneath the wistaria vine, and, from his elevated position, he has been able to see the slow approach along the walk by the side of the house of the individual under discussion. Can he have heardp For once my self-possession entirely deserts me, and sit with crimsoned cheeks and down-dropped, frightened eyes, ashamed of myself; and deserv edly SO; for have l not spoken slightingly of 8 guest, and my cousins dearest friends
 .'t How cool and comfortable you Iookp' said 8 pleasant voice. ''I have obeyed your injunction, Mrs. Trevor, and rested for full hour, and can as sure you l feel greatly refreshed after my long journey"
 Involuntarily I draw 8 sigh of relief. He has not heard-it he had he never could look and speak so unconcernedly, He takes a seat near me, and when, at last, l venture to raise my eyes, they meet a calm, friendly, answering gaze No it is quite evident that he has not heard.
 Before proceeding will describe this college friend and beau ideal of all per- lection of my cousin John. His name is Dr. Robert St. Clair, and his age should judge to be somewhere about thirty. He is not tall, and is very deli cate looking; and what detracts still further from his appearance, he is very lame.
 Now, somewhere in remote ages-yerv remote, l should say, as I have heard it quoted ever since I knew enough to be proud of a new sash-some one re- marked that beauty is but skin deep. '' However that may be, it is just as true that l was born with an eye for comeli- ness and an aversion to a deformity or blemlsh of any kind.
 A week goes by; seven suns have risen and set since Dr. St. Clair first came to ''Scragheai"-by which unro, mantle name the rom antic island upon which our summer home is located is called. The last of these seven days finds my first impression of my visitor decidedly modified.
 When he is silent I think him plain. and my eyes wander to his crutch; but when he speaks and his face brightens till it fairly glows, then I cease to won- der at the charm he exercises over my cousin. Two more weeks hasten by.
 Il must go at the expiration of another" Dr. St. Clair says, deci dedly.
 Now, John, no urging, my kind friend; l cannot neglect my duties any longer"
 That night I push back my curls and study my reflection in my glass have Q reason for so doing. That very after noon, as I sat reading in my favorite re. treat, tucked away from the heat and tue flies in an odorous bower of nature's own making, with dropping rose sprays falling all about and hiding me, only distant stone's throw from where my cousin and his friend had ensconced themselves and were finishing a pre- vious conversation, before l could rise and make myself known l overheard something which effeetually kept me where I was.
 l know your admiration for noble character" John was saying; but you must not think little Midget is as frivo- ious as she appears. You haven't seen her best side. She is fitfu1 and capri cious before you because think your in. different manner rather piques her. The child IS very young, and has been spoiled by too much admiration; she is accustomed to see every man she meets do homage to her pretty face.
 The answer came musingly and ab sently:
 Yes, your cousin might be pretty . nay, beautiful-in some eyes, but to me there is something wanting in her face perfect in outline and color though it ii the Undine needs soul.n l My glass shows me two dark, mis- 1 chievous eyes, set in 8 round, fair face a small, curved mouth. and straight nose.
 "Undine needs soul !n-what could l he meanp But my mirror does no possess 8 like gift with the ancient oracle and l turn away unanswered and dis satisfied.
 The last week of our visitors stay ha, drawn to close, and he has gone.
 Ahl truly in three short months O daily companionship I have grown tt ] fully understand Johns admiration fo Dr. St. Clair. Never before have had such mine of varied and enter taiLing knowledge unlocked before me l Of things above the sky-reverentl, touched upon: of things below; of tn, marvels of foreign countries, aL d of tn interesting objects in our own-upo1 each and every topic he has been equall, at home; and though he has paid bu little attention to me. I have quietl, listened and benefited by what hay ] heard. Now that he is gone awake t, find that, like John, Is have allowed hero-worship to spring up in my heart that l miss his quiet footfall, and that though fear he does not even like m deems me doll-li and frivolous have grown to care for this grave, plail man, so different from the shallov youths of whom meet 2 plenty il ] society.
 When ask John he readily tells m all about his friend, and learn how was that he came to be lame. How when mere youth he had been nrasen