Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-10-12

weeks Elsie never left me. As ] grew
stronger she sat up beside me and read
me, as in the old time, until the day came
when, propped with pillows, / SAT in nay
old chair in the parlor, close by the win
dow. 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
/ louged to thank them all for their care
and kindness-even the remembrance of
the step hated was no longer terrible to
me. Something of my FIRST thoughts ]
tried to say, bat Else placed her hand
upon me as / spoke.
Paul. said she, have not spoken
of it yet, but you owe your life, so far as
man is concerned, to DIR. Claymore.
We could have done nothing. He did
everything. He never left you for mo-
ment, Paul, until you were out of dan
ger. We can never forget, any OF US,
his kindness and devotion; but for that
we must have lost you
1t would have been loss to deplore,
| said. Would you have grieved much,
Elsie p
Paul Paul = she said reproachfully,
with her little hand resting upon my
arm; % PAUL.
And why should you?' l continued.
: A blind mole, useless to you and him
self--a sightless thing, to be led and tend
ed and cared for, where he would give
bis life to guard and cherish instead.
Why should you grieve for it, Elsie 2
/ Paul, Paul, you break my heart 1t
is | who am the innocent cause of your
blindness. 1t is / who have made you
so wretched. Why did you snatch me
from the flames, Paul? My death would
not have been so terrible as this
She spoke with suppressed agony in
her voice which had never heard from
: any human being, and l involuntarily
stretched out my arms and wound them
around her waist.
Forgive me my more than sister, ]
pleaded, it is worth all to feel your sweet
pity, to have you thus near me. Let me
keep you thus while, Elsie, as though
/ were really your brother; and believe
from my soul / shall forever bless you
and any one who makes your life happy
be lie who he may. / have seen il ali
along, Elsie and if at first itterthoughts
would come, when remembered that as
: he would gain, so we must loose you, be-
lieve me, my dear Elsie, they are over
now, and have no thought that is not
kindness, no feeling that is not broth
er's for him or you
As spoke heard that ringing step
upon the path, and she started from me,
The new step, Elsie. Go and meet it,
| said.
She turned and paused. Paul. she
) said, do you think that any new step
could be so dear to me as the old ones /
have loved so long? o, Paul 7
1t 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 unselfish at least for the future. ]
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 com
ing up the garden path year before.
you are looking better, he said.
Il thank you, DIR. Claymore; find
that owe it TO your kind attention that
] am thus far recovered ] answered.
fear have been an ungrateful patient.
Accept my thanks and apologies; they
are all the amends that remain for me to
make
He laughed frankly. To tell you the
truth, Mr.. Blair, be said, 'only your fe-
yer and delirium saved you from half q
dozen challenges and as many duels
! You have considerable animosity toward
, me for some unexplained reason
RI / felt myself color as he spoke, but
could make no answer.
| i did not come here to speak Of this,
he said. Are Won strong enough to bear
a little agitation ?
I i believe / am ! replied.
Tue doctor arose, and leaning ovel
me, pressed his fingers upon my eyelidI
, very softly. Pardon me- he said, 70,
/ must have been blind very long time
Ten weary years. answered.
And have you never thought Of re
: gaining Jour sight have you neve
! hoped to do so 2 be asked IN 3 genll
r tone, still keeping close beside me.
Thought of It often hoped Tor
-never Ii is blessing denied to NJ