The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1881-06-10
HER STORY AND HIS.
HER STORY.

"What you can both be thinking Of
whatever you can see in him to admire,
I really can't make outw I exclaim, pet
tishly. .'He certainly is not the sort of
person to go into raptures about!
"Verar'
But in spite of my aunt's expostulatory
tone, and frown from my cousin Ger
aid, I continue my remarks.
''I never was SO disappointed in all my
that weakly, delicate-lo looking cripplep'
"Oh, Vera, hush! He's coming
It is warm afternoon, and we are all
out upon the lawn; my cousin is swing
ing lazily to and fro in a hammock,
which is suspended just beneath the tall
elms, 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 heard? For once my self
possession entirely deserts me, and sit
with crimson cheeks and down-drooped,
frightened eyes, ashamed OF myself-and
deservedly so, for have / not spoken
slighGngly of guest, and my cousins
dearest friend?
How cool and comfortable you look, %
said q pleasant voice. ST have obeyed
your injunctions, Mrs. Yorke, and rested
for full hour, and I can assure you I
feel greatly refreshed after my long
journey"
Involuntafily draw sigh of relief
BE has not heard; if he had he could
never look and speak SO unconcernedly.
He takes 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 this
college chum and beau ideal of all per-
fection 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-looking,
and, what detracts still further from his
appearance, he is very lame.
Now, therefore in remote ages-yery
remote, I should say, as have heard it
quoted ever since I knew enough to be
proud of new sash-some one made the
remark 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 deformity or
blemish of any kind.
A week goes by; seven suns have risen
and set since Doctor 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 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 brightans
till it fairly glows, then I cease to won-
der at the charm he exercises over my
cousin.
Two more weeks hasten by.
81 must go at the expiration of an
other, tDr. Bauchanan says decidedly.
Now, Gerald, no urging, my kind
friend. / cannot leave my duties any
longer"
That night pushed back my curls
and study my reflection in the glass; I
have reason for doing SO. That very
afternoon, as sat reading in my favorite
retreat, tucked away from the heat and
flies, in an odorous bower of Natures
own making, with dropping rose sprays
sailing all about and hiding me, distant
only stones throw from where my
cousin and his friend had ensconsed
themselves; they were finishing preyi-
oua conversation, and before / could
riss and make myself known, I overheard
something which effectually kept me
whore I was.
1sI know your admiration for q noble