Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-07-01
THE WEEKLY STAR.

hard at his profession, in which he has since
become deservedly successful and famous
We had SIX very quiet years It seemed 10
me as IL Letue had always from the 6rst gone
softly cropping her way, and L had always led
her TO chapel and back. Harry studied in
London; then We heard Of him IN Edinburgh:
and at last his mother said he had gone 20
Paris, and she was half afraid he would settle
there and marry Papist wife Lettie looked
sorrowtul and restless for day or two after
that, but presently recovered her cheerful
ness We had not much change OF variety st
nome. There was L for ever At my work, and
Lettie at her music. She had gained great
deal OF skill now and many a time have L
seen knot Of people standing at the corner
OF our garden hedge n listen 20 her singing
nave heard several grand public performers
since then, bat never one who could touch nv
heart and bring the tears into my eyes as nv
poor blind sister did. On sundays, at chapel,
we could hear her voice. clear and sweet.
above all the rest; and, though our tunes
were Wild and slmple-sung by her they were
beautiful. Sometimes she would 90 10 ~
Johns church for the sake Of the organ and
the chanting, but / did not feel it right 10
change; habit is strong in slow untlught peo-
pie, and 10 dad not seem as il L had kent a
sabbath unless 1 said my prayers in the
homely little chapel 10 which our mother had
led US by the hand when we were children.
Lettie loved the grand church music and who
could wonder at it, poor lassie Once or twice
when she begged ~ go with her, it had seemed
TO fill my heart with pain almost 50 how
much more must have excited hep who was
all hire and enthusiasm! She said IL made
her feel happier and better. and more thank
Iul TO God Perhaps in losing one sense her
enjoyment through the others grew more in
tense.
~
At the end Of these six years Harry Crofts
came home. He was often at our house. and
We liked having hum; but, though Lettie
seemed happy enough, he was uneasy and
disconnected. / have seen him stand beside
the piano and never take bis eyes eff her by
the half hour together; but his face looked
quite gloomy. AT last be one day said 10 me,
" ane, are you timid-I do not think Le,iie
is She seems strong and WELL L knew he
meant more than a simple inquiry after our
nerves, aud / asked if be thought he had
found out cure for my sister. He turned
quite red
''Yes, believe have; saw an operation
performed in Paris on q girls eyes similarly
affected. 1t was successful"
1 said not aword. The prospect seemed too
good, too beautiful TO be true Just at this
minute Lettie came in through the doorway;
there was sunshine behind her, and she APP
pe4red 10 bring il into the parlOr VITA hcI
I" Are you here, Harry" she Immediately
asked
1t was a strange thing, that although she
neither saw him nor heard him speak, she VAS
at once aware-of biz presence lie got UP and
took her by the hand, and brought her 20 me
" Tell her Jane, or shall ?' he whispered.
signed him to speak himself, which he did
without hesitation.
"Lettie, have you courage to undergo an
operation on your eyes which may restore
your sght!"
She clasped her hands, and such beautiful
color came flushing up into her fsce-y0u
would have said il was like an angels face, il
changed so brightly.
"0h, yes! anything, anything, Harry, oaly
give me that hope! 70 said she, softly
look at him questioningly 10 ask if he had
not better warn her of possible disAPpOint-
mat, and he said at once:
"Lettie, l. ought to tell you that this OBJ
eration may fail, though do not fear that il
will. For my sake, Lettie," be added in an
under tone
Well, then, for your sake, Harry" she
replied, with a low sigh Even if il should
not give me back my sight, L shall only be as
L am now
They went out into the garden together;
and: from the earnest, gentle way Ia which
Harry talked to Lettie, L know that he was
preparing her for what she had e. undergo.
She did not want for courage IN any circum-
stances, ami did not look tor her beng weak
now.
The operation WAS performed during the
following week. DIR. Pniiipson and Dr. Nash
were both present but Harry Crofts himself
did it. His nerve was wonderful LetiIe De-
haved admirably too; indeed, nobody was
foolish but myself, and when it was over L
faiuted 1t was entirely successful Hy sister
has her sight now, as good as L have For
several weeks we kept her in a darkened
room, but she was gradually permitted to face
the light, and the joy of that time is more than
words can describe.
Henry Crofts soon after claimed her as his
VI fe; and really, TO say the truth, nobody
had better right to her. The report OF tho
singular cure be had made, lifted him al once
into consideration; and, as ne made diseases
of the eye bis particular study, he is now as
celebrated an oculist DIR. Philipson hIm-
self; many persons, indeed, give him the
preference. The operation, then thought 50
much of, is now Of frequent occurrence; Let
ties kind of blindness being no longer looked
on as irremediable.
And this is all need tell about cur history;
it is not much, or very romantic, but L am
often asked about it, so have just set down
Il