Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-07-01
hard at his profession, in which he has since

hard at his profession, in which he has since
become deservedly successful and famous
we mad six very quiet years. Ii seemed to
me as II Lettie had always from the first gone
softly cropping her way, and 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 TO
Paris, and she was half afraid be would settle
there and marry Papist wife Lettie looked
sorrowful and restless for day or two after
that, but presently recovered her cheerful
ness We had not much change or variety at
home. There was for ever at my work, aud
Lettie at her music. She had gained great
deal of skill now, and many a time have
seen knot Of people standing at the corner
OF our garden hedge tn listen 20 her singing.
L have heard several grand public performers
since then, bat never one who could touch my
heart and bring the tears into my eyes as my
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 simple-sung by her they were
beautiful Sometimes she would 70 TO st.
John S church for the sake Of the organ and
the chanting, but / did not feel il right TO
change; habit rs strong in slow unit aught pcO-
pie, and il did not seem as il L had kept a
sabbath unless l 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 W no
could wonder at it, poor lassie? Once or twice
when she begged to 60 with her, it had seemed
10 fill my heart with pain almost; so how
much more must have excited her who was
all fire and enthusiasm! She said il made
her feel happier and better, and more thank
ful TO God Perhaps IN losing one sense her
enjoyment through ths 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 hun; but, though Lettie
seemed happy enough, he was uneasy and
discontented. L have seen him stand beside
the piano aud never take bis eyes off her by
the half hour together; but his face looked
quite gloomy. At last he one day said to me,
" Jane, are you timid-I do not think Lettie
is She seems strong and we'll" L knew he
meant more than a simple inquiry after our
nerves, and L asked if he thought he had
found out cure for my sister. He turned
quite red
"Yes, believe have; / saw an operation
performed in Paris on a girls eyes similarly
affected. 1t was successful"
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 ap-
pesred to bring il into the parlor with her
8 Are you here, Harry" she immediately
asked
1t was a strange thing, that although she
neither saw him nor heard him speak, she was
at once aware of his presence He got up and
took her by the hand, and brought her to me.
I" Tell her Jane, or shall / ?" be 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 sight?'
She clasped her hands, and such beautiful
color came flushing up into her face-yUu
would have said it was like an angels face, it
changed so brightly.
s0h, yes! anything, anything, Harry, oaly
give me that hope !" said she, softly.
look at him questioningly to ask if he had
not better warn her Of possible dlSappOint-
ment and he said at once:
..Lettie, ought to tell you that this op-
erativn may fail, though L do not fear that it
will. For ny sake, Lettie, be added in an
under tone
"well, then, for your sake, Harry she
replied, with low sigh Even if il should
not give me back my sight, shall only be as
l am now "
They went out into the garden together;
and. from the earnest, gentle way LA winch
Harry talked to LettiC, L know that be was
preparing her for what she had { undergo.
She did not want for courage In any circum-
stances, and did not look for her being weak
now.
The operation was performed during the
following week. DR.. Phiiipson and DR.. Nash
were both present, but Harry Crofts himself
did it, His nerve was wonderful LetIie be-
haved admirably toe; indeed, nobody was
foolish but myself, and when il was over L
tainted 1t was entirely successful; my sister
has her sight now, as good as L have For
several weeks we kept her in 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
fe; and really, 10 say the Truth, nobody
had a better right to her. The report Of the
Singular cure he had made, lifted him AZ once
into consideration; and, as ne made diseases
OF the eye his particular study, he is nov AS
celebrated an oculist as DIR. PhilipsOn him
self; many persons, indeed, give him the
preference The operation, then thought SO
much Of is now of frequent occurrence; Let
tie kind of blindness being no longer looked
on as irremediable.
And this is all need tell about our history;
it is not much, or very romantic, but am
often asked about il, so L have just set down
the truth -HOHs.hoLd Words.