Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-03-05

couch, the sick man sunk into a quiet
sleep. On his waking. she well knew
hung the crisis of his fate. They scarce
ly dared hope that he would live. Hours
passed on, and still those two devoted
watchers ss: motionless at his bedside
1t was long past noon when he awoke at
length. and they saw, with Joy that
could only find utterance in prayers and
tears. that they might hope for his re-
covery. There must be suffering yet,
and weakness, tedious convalescence,
and much care but to them there was
no more of sorrow now. When he heard |
Martha's voice he knew her at once, but
manifested little surprise at her pres
ence. He was quite too weak to reason
aboutanything, and her tones were sooth- |
ing. She spent much Of her time with
him during the next week He seemed
scarcely to think of the suffering past,
VI tuc uhSSeu iueuIe5 doSOIDeu III inc
great bliss of listening to her voice.
He sat one morning in his easy chair
at the window, when she came to see
him as was her won't. She brought
bouquet, Of fragrant, hot-house bios
SONS, and placed them on stand beside
him. He loved flowers passionately.-l
Though he could no. see them, il was
luxury TO inhale their fragrance, and
pass his finger over their velvet petals.
But this morning he was impatient un-
I'll she had taken the low seat at his
feet.
81 wish to give you my Valentine
present, before the season shall have
passed." she said, half tenderly, half
playfully. "You know it is three weeks
already since the fourteenth of Febru-
airy, and in another week the Valen-
tine time will be over for all the year"
"But what" his tone was almost Bit
ter, "what could you give me that /
would have? 1 want but one thing
from you, and that is far beyond my
reach" I
Perhaps not; :" her voice trembled
her eyes were cast down and tears
glistened on her long lashes. and on her
cheeks crimson with excitement. "Per-
hsps not, master. Your Valentine, that
music, told me all your heart. l know
now that l did not interpret it wrongly
that the only love my heart values is
my own. You used to- say my name
over in your fever, and sometimes call
me your \wife. Dear master, h0t is
what l want to be-will you let me ?"
She had knelt before him, bowirg her
beautiful head, and it sank still lower, as
he murmured- "Now this is cruel
How car say no. when she is my life's
worship? But 1 VIII not wrong her 1
must be true 10 myself. God in Heav-
en-, help me to resist this great tempta-
ton ?''
"Do you not love me, then ?" falter-
ed tremulous voice.
Love you2 Listen. Martha. I am
blind never looked upon the face of
woman, but 1 feel beauty in my SOUL
The first time 1 ever listened to your
voice, it thrilled re as no other voice
ever did knew that you were beauti-
full. l thought loved you as younger
sister. You was gentle, docile pupil.
1t was very sweet to teach yeu-sweet
to have you lead me home at night,
with The soft touch Of your childish
hand. l did not know myself until we
parted. That one kiss revealed all.
loved you as other men who are not
blind love the beautiful women OF their
hearts selection. For time / thought
l should go mad, but l tried to live for
my mothers sake. By and by 1 COM
posed that music 1t was wail-the
cry of my heart for you. l played it
alone by myself on the church organ,
and l knew, tLat sometime, you would
understand il"
"That kiss" she murmurd-" its
memory has been with me everywhere.
The only kiss any man, save my dead
father ever pressed upon my lips
have been true-I have kept all for
you. Will you send me from you
now ?"
"Yes. dear child, for your own sake
will. You watched over me in sickness
you heard me call your name in my
frenzy, and your generous heart would
sacraice itself for me. l am blind,
Martha, blind and old, let me die
alone"
"My dear master, ,"-oh, to what q
wealth Of love those quiet words gave
utterance-"my best friend had no
friendstill knew you-no one else could
love me as you do. If you send me from
you. you will kill me. Oh. know if
you do not. that l am not worthy of you.
But only let me be your wife. since you
do love me. only want to liv" with
you very quietly, to guide you with my
hand, as l used to in the dear old time,
to be eyes for you. to love you and to
share your life. If you say no. you will
kill me-"
Clyde Hepburn rut her form from him;
he knelt reverenly down and offered one
short feryent prayer of thanksgiving. !
then, raising, he opened his arms, and