The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-10-12
OFFICE IN HooPER's BRICK B

who needed her more than did, for whose
sake she would remain single forever, II needs
must be; then, Paul Blair, felt that com.
ing there had come between q pure and no.
ly love-seldom seen or felt on carth-and
prayed to God for pardon. When riding
homeward by her side, found you lying
PROSTATE on the gronnd, and learnt from
your rawlings, and the words Of the old ser
want, that my surmises were only too correct.
Heaven knows that oil the anger in my heart
was for myself; for you felt nothing but
compassion. For that strength which made
me strive to bring my rival back to health
and happiness, which put 1t in my heart to
pray for your restoration to sight, as though
It had been my own, thank the mother that
taught me TO pray, and God who gnye her
me. Paul Blair, if did not know you had
a noble heart, would never tell you this
knowing that, would mako you yet hap
pier by, giving you the knowledge that my
steps can never come between you, save to
, your cars-that you have not to win o heart,
but only to claim II. Goodbye. God bless
you! Go home to Elsie, and make her joy
full
listened to his step as II faded away in
the distance, and could have wept-how
good and great he was.
AT homo they knew nothing Of what had
happened. AS the carriage drew up at the
gate, looked out and saw light form, that
knew must be Elsie's tripping down the
path. stepped out and waited till she
came up. AS she drew close to me l shut
my eyes.
Dear Paul, you are at home again. Your
mother has gone down to tho village to meet
you-you must have passed her, she said,
taking my hand in hers.
Then you are alone, Elsie ? l said.
Yes, Paul.
Il will 20 If you will lead me, Elsie
She answered me by drawing her hand
through my arm, and walking on. We sat
down together in the little parlor, and !
ventu ed to steal glance ut her. She had
altered very little since her childhood. Her
solemn eyes and golden hair were just tho
same. She was looking at me sadly. larose,
and crossing to the sofa, sat down beside
her.
Elsie Russell, said ri have something to
say to you; no filter opportunity can come
than this. Will you listen to, and answer
me?'
Surely, Paul. she said, why not?
And there and then told her OF my love,
of my alteration and prayed for hers in
return. How told it, what words utter
ed, Ineyer knew; bit ere had ended, she
was weeping on my bosom.
But YOU remember that am blind Elsie !;
that YOU must lead me about and care for me
as should for you that the world will call
this n sacrifice, and blame blind man for
winning such treasure. You remember all
this, darling. and will not rcpent-you arc
sure, sure OF thatT
paul, your misfortune makes you doubly
dear to me- she said; do not speak OF 1t
again. You know that 1t Is no sacrifice to
love and be loved-it is the greatest bappi-
ness mon can know-the greatest earthly
blessing. 49,,
But, Elsie, If I could SEQ, you would love
mo still-you would be glnd. Elsie'
20, Paul If that could be |! poor, darling
Paul'
.Como to tho window, and look at me,
Else,' said. Look into my eyes, darling,
what do you read thcre?'
She gazed, trembled ,gazed again, and read.
ing there the truth, clasping her hands to-
gether, and tainted in my arms.
y, how happy We were that night, in tho
amc cheerful parlor where q year and more
before, the strange step first broke upon my
ear. How happy were We in that glad
hour when claimed her for my wife, in the
little church near by-and tho step that i
had hated had brought 1t oil.