Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1881-01-07
aoTn SIDES OF THE a,uHY.


HER SIDE.
An expostulation from my aunt, and
irown from my cousin John; but, un
needing, | continue my remarks:
never was so disappointed in M
life! To think oil calling him a hero
that weakly, delicate-looking crippe!'
Oh, Midget, hushl He's comingp
1t is warm afternoon and we are Ill
out upon the veranda; my cousin i
swinging la2ily to and fro in hammock
which is suspended just beneath thu
wistaria vine, and, from his elevated
position, he has been able to see th,
slow approach along the walk by the
side of the house of the individual under
discussion. Can be have heardp Foi
once my self-possession entirely deserts
me, and sit with crimsoned checks and
down-dropped, frightened eyes, ashamed
OF myself; and deserv edly SO; for have
| not spoken slightingly of a guest, and
my cousins dearest friendP
How cool and comfortable you
lookp' said q pleasant voice. have
obeyed your injunction, Mrs. Trevor,
and rested for full hour, and | can as
sure you feel greatly refreshed after my
long journey"
Involuntarily | draw a 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, | venture to raise my eyes, they
meet 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. lie 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-very
remote, should say, rs | have heard 1t
quoted ever since | 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 | was born with an eye for comeli-
ness and an aversion TO detormity or
blemish of any kind.
A week goes by; seven suns have
risen and set since DIR. st. Clair first
came to Scraghead which unro-
mantle name the rom 4ntic island upon
which our summer home is lorated is
called. The last of these seven days
inds my first impression Of my visitor
decidedly modified.
When he is silent think him plain,
and my eyes wander to his Crutch but
when be speaks and his face brightens
till it fairly glows, then cease to won
der at the charm he exercises over my
cousin. Two more weeks hasten by.
81 must go at the expiration of
another" DR.. St. Clair says, decidedly.
Now, John, no urging, my kind
friend; / cannot neglec my duties any
longer
That night / push back my curls and
stu y my reflection in my glass. have
a 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 odorous bower of natures
failing % ali about sd hifa ,,rs,,s only
cousin and his friend had ensconced
themselves and were finishing q pre-
vious conversation, before ! could rise
and make myself known | overheard
something which clectu}lly kept me
where | was.
- krow your admiration for a noble
character" John was saying; but you
must not think little Midget is rs friyo-
| lous as she appears You haven't seen
| her best side She is ftful and capri
cious before you because l 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 abb
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 is
the Undile needs sou"
My glass shows me two dark, mis-
chievOus eyes, set in a round, fair face:
a small, curved mouth and straight
nose.
Undine needs soulF'-what could
he msanP But my mirror does not
possess a like gift with the ancient oracle,
and | turn away unanswered and dis
satisfied.
The last week of our visitors stay has
drawn tn a elose. end ha hss Gnna
AM Ifuly II three snort months o.
daily companionship l have grown tc
| fully understand Johns admiration fol
| DR.. St. Clair. Never before have
taiuing knowledge unlocked before me,
Of things above the sixy--revereia.tly y
| souched npons of things below OF tnt
| marvels of foreign countries, al OF the
/ interesting objects in our own-upor
each and every topic he has been equally )
at home; and though he has paid bu
little attention to me, have quietly
listened and benefited by what | hav,
heard. Now that he is gone / awake t
ind that, like john, | have allowed
hero-worship to spring up in my heart
s-at ! miss his quiet tootiall, and that
though fear he does not even like M
deems me doll-like and frivolous
have grown to care for this grave, plail
man, so different from the shallow
youths of whom ! meet a plenty il
society.
When ask John lie readily tells m
all about his friend, and lear how
was that he came to be lame. How
when a mere youth he had been preser
at large fire, ard how, when no on
else had dared-when even the IRENE
had feared to risk their lives-he ha
elm bed a ladder in the face OF th
! blazing flames to save little chilC