Life — December 26, 1895 — page 35: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

LIFE > As these words reached his ears, Cyrus bent forward in speechless astonishment with a look so strained and so cager that she stopped short in her story. “Why, what is the matter?” “ Did you answer that note?” he asked, still bending for- ward with the keenest interest. “ And you tucked your answer in the frame yonder ?” “Yes, “ And you wrote: “Thank you, but I have no mind For a lover so perversely blind.” Tt was the young lady's turn to be surprised, and her eyes opened wide in amazement. “ Why, how did you know “Because I received itin America. I found it in the corner of the portrait of yourself where I placed the first.” “ You placed the first! You wrote it?” “T did.” She took a step backward and leaned against the side of the window. With her astonishment there was alsoa touch of fear. “ But, tell me,” he said, “why you wrote ‘perversely blind?’ Why was I blind?” “Because the stupid youth who sent the message had hiseyes upon meall the time; and yet pretended todoubt my existence.” Cyrussmiled. “Of course! And I hardly slept that night for trying to guess what you meant.” “Then you wrote this one, too?” and she held forth the note that was just received. He read it aloud : “« Why do you say Iam blind? Why give such a mean- ingless answer when you know I am in earnest? For me your face shall always be the first and dearest. ** Please answer, c. H.” “Yes, I wrote it. Why didn’t you answer ?” These are my initials. UPON HIS HONOR. 17 For a moment she was too much overcome to reply. Gazing at him in silence she was wondering what inexplica- ble power has seen fit to concern itself with this affair, It was supernatural; so fairy-like and miraculous, so beyond her comprehension that it brought a feeling of awe, and a mild, indefinable terror. But when he repeated his question she answered : “How could 1? It was getting too serious, and I had no idea from whom it came. And besides, to tell the truth, I was a little frightened. In fact Iam now,” she added with a nervous laugh, “ for it is all very mysterious. How do you explain it?” Cyrus smiled and came a little nearer. “ By the intervention of an immortal messenger ; the little god who helps true lovers.” Again the color was in her cheeks, and that look about the mouth he knew so well; then a smile that set his pulse to beating faster. “ Perhaps you are right,” she said, and held out her hands. But the young man ignored the hands, and took the girl herself into his arms. J. AL Mitchell, THE CHRISTMAS BELL. Tamabell,a Christmas bell, and when that day is here, with joy do I begin to swell: my voice gets loud and clear. I can't keep still because I feel that Christmas feel, you know, and so with laughter do I peal, and thrill from top to toe. { vibrate with pulsations keen from early morn till night, and not a thought that’s low or mean can wing its crook- ed flight through air that’s penetrated by the sounds of my rich voice. And that is just one reason why on Christmas you rejoice, and feel so good toward everyone : because you see, just when your petty troubles have begun to pierce your mortal ken, my voice comes ringing through your cars, ‘* Heigho! it's Christmas time,” you say. ** Away all doubts and fears!" I keep your hearts in chime, And so let Christmas reign o'er all, and with your hearts quite free, come, gather near my silver call and have a chime with me! comicbooks.com