The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1860-08-04

the step IS coming
Firmly it came along the path and, as
stretchedout my arms. seemed to spring
from black pzecipice into a gulf of deepest,
profoundest darkness. where hearing and
motion were buried in obliE;ess I heard her
calling out
90! Massa Doctor lassa Doctor !
here's young Massa Paul spne dead all
along o. you, as knowed hsWould ~
The first of my after memories that is
reality, is the sound of thatssery footstep
which SO deeply hated. It was very soft
now, and it came and went constantly, I'M
weariedly. With it there came also cooling
draughts. soothing change of heated pillows,
refreshing moistening e parched lip and
brow, and tenderness eenal 10 any I have
ever known; but hated and drove it
away still knew my fhoshef was there,
and Elsie ; but that step destroyed my plea
sure in their presence.
Not until l lay so weak that an infant
could Lave prevented me from making the
slightest move, but nevertheless safe on the
road to health again, did that step cease to
haunt me. But that hour came at last, and
for three weeks I never heard its echo, and
Elsie never left me. As I grew stronger,
she sat beside me and read to me, as in the
old times, until that day came, when, prop
ped with pillows, sat in my old chair in
the parlor, close by the open window. My
mother had kissed me, and was singing over
her household duties for very pleasure
There was no one in the room but Elsie
Russell and myself My heart was very
soft and calm that day. I longed to thank
them for all their care and kindness-even
the remembrance of the step 1 hated was
no longer terrible to me.
Something of my first thoughts tried to
say, but Elsie placed her hand upon my
arm as I spoke.
paul. she said, 81 have not spoken of
it yet, but you owe your life, as far as man
is concerned, to DR.. Claymore. We could
have done nothing. He did everything
He never left you for moment, Paul, until
you were out of danger We can never
forget, any of US, his care and devotion: but
for that, we must have lost you
cit would have been loss to deplore, -
l said, with something of the old bitter
ress. would you have grieved much,
Elsie 90
"Paul Paul % she said reproachfully,
with her little hand upon my arm again
30, Paul p
''And why should you ?" l continued,
GA blind mole, useless to you and 10 him
self-a sightless thing, to- be led and tended
and cared for, where he would give his life
to guard and cherish instead Why should
you grieve for it, Elsie? You would not
long,
paul, Paul, you break my heart! It is
l who am the cause, the innocent cause of
your blindness. It is who have made you
so wretched. Why did you snatch me from
the flames, Paul? Ny death would not
have been as terrible as this
She spoke with a suppressed agony in
her voice which I had never before heard
from any human being, AMI 1 involuntarily
stretched out my arms and wound them
about her waist.
"Forgive me, my more than sister," I
pleaded: sit is worth all to feel your sweet
pity, to have you thus near me. Let me
keep you thus awhile, Elsie, as though I
were in reality your brother"
AS l spoke, heard once more that ring
ing step upon the path, and she started from
me. ''The new step, Elsie! Go and meet
it, l said
She turned and paused. "Paul," she
could be as dear to me as the old ones I
hd'O iO'S0 81 AOh ~ duI
cit is right, it is natural, Elsie; do not
blush to own it, said, for had resolved
to look my hard fate full in the face, and be
unselfsh at least for the future. 1 could
say no more for she was gone, and he had
come in her stead-he the owner of that
step which had first heard coming up the
garden path year before.
you are looking better" he said.
II thank you, DR.. Claymore find I
owe it to your kind attention that am thus
far recovered" 1 answered. 81 fear I
have proved a very troublesome and I'M
grateful patient. Accept my thanks and
apologies they are all the amends that re-
main for nae to make"
He laughed frankly.
ITO tell you the truth, Mr.. Blair" he
said, ''only your fever and delirium saves
you from half-a-dozen challenges, and as
many duels. You appeared to have consid-
cradle animosity towards me, for some I'M
explained reason"
felt myself color-as he spoke, but could
make no answer. He went on:
Il did not come to speak of this. Are
you strong enough to bear little agita-
ton 90
81 believe am replied.
The doctor arose, and leaning over me,
pressed his fingers upon my eyelids very
softly.
''Pardon me.'' he said, ''you must have
been blind long time 90
''Ten weary years." / answered.
"And have you never thought of regain
ing your sight? have you never hoped to
do SO % he asked, in a gentle tone, still
keeping close beside me.
Thought of it often, often hoped for
it,-never! 1t is blessing denied to me
forever. shall never see again.
II think you may am almost certain
of it, interrupted the doctor rapidly
'.While you we're i'll. I examined your eyes
carefully. and my dear boy. think I may
promise you that you shall see again, and
well, never mind the rest will follow of
| ITSELF
1t was arranged that was to keep the
whole secret. and to accompany him to
the city, when was strong enough, thai
he might have it in his power to perform an
operation in which he Tel!giously believed
For my part, could not believe; could
Il L