Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-07-24


70 nm an open book. and very easy reading
Not that Per3is was by any means forward and
unInaidenly; but she had not yet learned the
woinan's lesson OF colcealing her emotions
Perllaps If there had been trife more of the
blindness OF love athwart the Young mans Wis
ion he could not have seen to read so clearly.
He sincerely admired Persis: he thought he
loved her, or that he should love her if he
dared. But then that terrible crutch! IT swung
over MS head like the sword of Damocles. To-
night ne seemed for the first time to forget it.
She looked so unusually beautiful: she had
slch sincere affection for him: how could he
resist the attraction?
"Persis. said he. in low, thrilling tones,
WORDS cannot say how dear you are to me- May
nope, etc. etc.
A commonplace love scene Another was
gong on under the same roof that very evening,
ara not pins choice between the two: but YOU
may DE 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hand which lay in his was not withdrawn.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 the faintest sign Of indifference in the
eyes bent timidly on the floor. 1t all ended in
the most orthodox manner; they left the party
As Persis passed Ephraim or the stairway. he
ialtered out a hurried Goodnight" and she
beaIned down upon him SO graciousiy that he
walked home on bed of roses. and never really
came to his senses till Mrs. Blake dropped into
tea week afterward and said Ter charming new
friend. Persis Talbot was going to be married
NOW Mrs. Blake was own aunt to Ephraim
| (Think what plebian he must have been to
have relative who took in sewing.) She was
quiet. sensible woman. who attended strictly
to her own business, and had almost pricked
away her left fOrefinger down to the bone. What
she said was usually the simple truth, and you
might depend ON it.
Ephraim's heart stood STILL
"Persis Talbot. did you say?" asked he pick
ing currant out of a bun with the coolest de-
liberation
Yes, to Stanley Warner; the affair is cut and
dried, replied the not over elegant Aunt Blake
as lndiferently, her nephew thought. as if she
mad been abiding to bushel of pippjps. Mr.
Ieiie sat late at his desk that night and scrib-
bled black ''Ichabod' on every blank bit of
paper at hand. 1t was all the outward sign he
ever gave of the hidden wound. His own
mother observed no change in him except that
ne fell away from his food, and stood in daily
need Of camomile tea.
Even Perss herself. walking on thrones"
never once suspected she was tramping over
ileart. The happy young creature saw in life
out one shadow. and that was the shadow of
her crutch 1t might now be supposed to grow
less but. on the contrary, it rather increased
'Oh, mother" she sighed one day. ..Stapley
says it is all the defect have-this iameness.
mean."
Does he?" remarked Mrs. Talbot. drylv. and
with the set look about the lips she aiway rs wore
when Stanleys name was mentioned docs
ne: Then suppose he is thankful for that one
de1ect. Not being anywhere near an angel
himself, he can't wish for perfection in you"
On, mamma, he knows l am very human.
indeed; it is only his way of talking" said Per-
SIS, with one OF her quick bushes. 81 should
be glad for his sake to walk like other peOpIe.
Do You know there is way-a terrible wav-I
hardly dare to tell yOu--"
"A terrible way to what ~
ITO walk" gasped Persis the color dying out
entirely, and her white lips trembling as she
spoke "Amputation-as far as the ankle.
ihen when the time comes. cork foot You
know, mamma cork foot walks beautifully"
"Persls Talbot! How could you conceive
such dreadful idea ?"
L have seen her-Abby Harlow You would
never detect the slightest limp You know.
mamma, all the patent contrivances for the feet
90 no good | must always swing this cruel, de-
teStlbie crutch unless"
"Perss. when did you see Abby Harlow? Who
introduced you?"
Il saw her last week. mamma, when went
with Stanley to the Islands,
Mrs. T2ibOts lips shut-tOgether with a sDrinr
lock- What she thought of her son-in-aw elect
IL nad always been easy to guess by what she
did not say. Persis looked at her inquirinrlv.
and as their eyes met cOId.@litter of determin-
alton rose in both pair of orbs Gentle Persis
mad steel in her composition as well as her
Inother; the TWO natures met sometimes and
struck fire.
II think, mamma" said the young girl. few
weeks later, II shall go to Boston and submit
to the operation spoke Of
Her voice was low and sweet. but there was
no wavering in it.
Not with my consent, my daughter"
am SO sorry, mamma; but you will think
better Of it. Papa has consented. He is going
with me, and-and-Mr. Warner too'
there was no help forit. Persis had set her
with mothers heart could do no less than
follow. The world knew nothing of the object
OF the journey. But Ephram Zelie learned If
from his Aunt Blake, who, unless she shut her
ears, could not help hearing the warm discus
slons between mother and daughter which were
i4cautlously carried on in her presence. Woman
like. Mrs. Blake took sides with that cold
bloOded Warner" who hadn't any more feel
ing than a billet Of rock maple.'' She went
10 her nephew with the story because she knew
he mad friendly interest in Persis.
But II you'd never set eyes OF the sweet
lamb you couldn't but want to take her part"
cried she, thrusting her needle into bit of cam
brlc as sava2ely as if it had been an imaginary
ponard, and the cloth the unfeeIing breast of
Mr.. Warner.
shlngie into the shape OF a tomahawk 1t would
nave oeen waste Of breath to tell Aunt Blake
now ne longed to rush to the rescue and save
MS devoted Perss from her Hardwood" adj
mirer.
'If she was going to marry man with
soul as big as ninepence, think / could bear
it," grOaned he inwardly '-Oh. little Persis
is there nobody to save You? My poor dear
lambl'
Meanwhile the travelling party of four was
cheerful one to all appearance; and the two
lovers, living on smiles and moonbeams, seemed
to forget the terror that was to come
II am doing it for Stanley" this was the girls
thought.
The time of trial drew near. Thus far Persis
had not faltered. The next day would prove
how much her stout heart could bear
Good night. dearest!" said Stanley as they
parted at the foot of the staircase in the hall of
their hotel "Good night! Don't dream of cruel
steel, Dream of me and the graceful little bride
l shall Claim one of these days.
The old ready blush fickered on Persis cheek:
Duf no smile came with 1t. She shuddered and
drew away. Something in her lovers tone hurt
her She had been half conscious Of the same
thing before; but tonight, as if she had Weakened
to it for the first time it gave her thrill of
pain.
II mdoing it for Stanley" thought she, as her
head sought the pillow
But the magic had somehow gone out Of the
words What If she were doing it for Stanley?
Was that going to take away the terror and the
agony? Was there length and breadth and depth
e1Ouvh in his love IN atOna for nil th;o3 Un,,,