The Russellville Democrat., 1881-06-16
HER STORY AND HIS.


 "What you can both be thinking of, whatever yo'- can see in him to admire, 1 can't r axe out" really can't" I excl..m, pettishly. @He certain, ? is not the sort of person to % into rsptures about"
 Vera P
 But in spite of my aunt's expostula- torv tone, and frown from my cousin Gerald, continue my remarks. "I never was so disappointed in all my lite. To think of calling hlm hero --that weakly, delicate-looking crip pie"
 "Oh, Vera, hush He's coming.s It is warm afternoon, and we are all out upon the lawn; my cousin is swing. ing lazily to and fro in q hammock which is suspended just beneath the tall elms, and, from his elevated position he is able to see the slow approach, along the walk at the side of the house, of the individual under discussion. Can he have heard7 For once my selt-posses- sion entirely deserts me, and sit with crimsoned cheeks and down-drooping, frightened eyes, ashamed of myself, and deservedly so, for have I not spoken slightIngly of guest, and my cousins dearest friend?
 "How cool and comfortable you look, :" said pleasant voice. "I have obeyed your injunction, Mrs. Yorke, and rested for full hour, and can assure you I feel greatly refreshed after my long journey"
 Involuntarily draw sigh of relief. He has not heard-if he had he could never look and speak so unconcernedly. He takes a seat near me, and when, at last, venture to raise my eyes they meet calm, friendly, answering gaze. No, it is quite evident he has not heard
 Before proceeding. will describe thls college chum. and beau ideal of all per fiction, of my cousin Gerald Yorke. His name is Austin Buchanan, his profession that of doctor, and his age I should judge to be somewhere about thirty; he IS not tall, and is very delicate-iooking, and, what detracts still further from his appearance, he is very lame.
 Now, somewhere in remote ages very remote I should say,as have heard it quoted ever since l knew enough to be proud of 8 new sash-some one re- marked that beauty is but skin deep.S However that may be, it is just as true that was born with an eye for comeli- ness, and an aversion to e deformity or blemish of any kind.
 A week goes by; seven suns have ris- en and set since Dr. Buchanan first came to "Fellmount"-by which name our beautiful home situated in the very heart of the lovely Westmoreland lakes, is called The last of these seven days finds my first impression ot my visitor decidedly modified.
 When he is silent I think him plain, and my eyes wander to his crutcb: but shen he speaks. and hiE face hrightens Ill it fairly slows, then l cease to won der at the charm he exercises over my cousin. Two more weeks hasten by.
 q must go at the expiration of an- other," Doctor Buchanan says, decided iy. Now, Gerald. no urging, my kind friend. cannot leave my duties any longer"
 That night push back my curls and study my reflection in the glass. have reason for so doing. That very after- noon, as sat reading in my favorite re- treat, tucked away from the heat and the flies in an edorous bower of Natures own making, with dropping rose sprays
 
 tast stone's throw from where my cousin and his friend had esconced hcm>elvef: 'hev were finishing pre- vious conversation, and before I could rise and make myself known over heard something which efectually kept me where l was.
 q know your admiration for noble character" Gerald was saying; "but you must not think little Vera is as frivolous us she appears. You haven't seen her best side. She is fitful and capricious before you because l think your indiffer- ent manner rather piques her. The spoiled 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 comes 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 1t is --the Undine needs a soul."
 My glass shows me two dark ,mischiev- ous eyes,set in round, fair face; small, curved mouth, and straight nose.
 "Undine needs soul P'-What could he mean? But my mirror does not pos sess like gift with the ancient oracle, and l turn away unanswered and dis satisfied.
 The last week of our visitors stay has drawn to a close, and he has gone.
 An l truly in three short weeks of daily mpanionship, I have grown fully to understand Gerald's admiration for