Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1861-02-21


!, more joyous than was it's wont. said to
: myself: How certain she must be of his
; love to bear his absence SO calmly The
joy of knowing that he is her own forever
makes her insensible to SORROW"
!, Oh, how kind she was to me during these
two weeks 1t was almost like the old days
before Richard came, save that barbed
arrow was ranking in my heart. The un-
conscious hope had cherished in those other
days could never come back again.
At last the time came for Richards re-
turn Iaona was with us. Frankly, as
one who has nothing to conceal, she talked
him back again. At neon he came. With
eager steps he entered the room, but his
voice trerlbled when he spoke to Leona 1
could only tell by that token how his heart
thrilled to be once more by her side. She
was not demonstrative The voice with
which she replied to his greeting was very
quiet but | had never known Richards
manner SO eager, so restless, as that after
noon.
In the evening we three were alone in the
long parlor. | sat at one end among the
shadows Richard and Leona were at the
other, where the moon--for [ heard them
talking of fit-shone in at the open window
Perhaps Richard thought | could not hear,
Or that I slept. He did not know what
second sight hearing is to the blind. Not
a murmur, not culver of their voices es-
capped me, 1t seems that he had never told
her Of his love before. He poured it forth
now with passionate, fervid eloquence. l
listened breathlessly for her answer; held
tight to my chair where [ was sitting; I
commanded every nerve to do its duty I
bade my Nlf-control be vigilant at it's post;
| would bear the torture without moan
[ waited to hear her low words of love-
Her voice fell on my ear. Hush, rebelli-
Gus heart! thou hadst no business to throb
SO wildly.
II cannot" she says; ooh, cannot! I
thought you knew-I thought you must
have known" And here the tender,
troubled voice breaks up into pitiful sobs
as she beseeches him to leave her. Rich
ard makes no attempt to comfort her. I
hear him 60 out. Then I cross the room :;
[ kneel at her feet; I tell her have heard
all u4 then a mad impulse seizes me:
! lf her- feet the lbation. Of my love
[ c.nnot help it. Blind, and poor, and
helpless as [ was, I had dared to love her.
L did not mean to tell her. I knew she
could never return it. But when [ had
heard her grieve had longed so to comfort
her; wanted her to know how gladly I
would die to give her peace.
Oh! how can [ tell the story? She did
not spurn me. Once more, in the darkness,
her tender arms were laid about my neck.
For the first time felt upon my mouth the
kisses of her fresh pure lips. Her words
were solemn and earnest: ''Do not die for
me. Live! live, dear Allen and, if you
love me, let me be your wife"
When our betrotal was made known there
was a struggle in my brothers heart. He
loved me he strove to rejoice in my happi
ness but he could not stay to witness it.
[ who knew Leona's worth did not blame
him. He left home, the next week, for
year of foreign travel; and, three weeks
after, eona became my wife.
! Our wedding was very simple one
We chose to be married in the old church,
at twilight; for to us that had been the bles-
sed hour of destiny. When the ceremony
was over, and the witnesses had departed,
we walked slowly homeward under the trees.
Leona told me that the moon was flooding
all things with silver rain of peace and
we felt that it would be the emblem of our
future.
My wife insisted on short bridal tour
She must take her blind husband to Boston
was little sensitive about exposing my
misfortune to strangers. This step seemed
unlike Leona but | wished to please her,
and [ consented
The next morning after our arrival we sat
alone in our room at the Winthrop House.
[ wanted to talk to my wife but she could
scarcely listen. She futtered around the
apartment, arranged and disarranged the
furniture dozen times. Ihad never known
her so restless. Every now and then she
would drop down for a moment upon nv
knee, and, lifting up my face, would cover
it with kisses but even there she would
not sit still.
/ At length there came tap upon the door.
and she sprang hurriedly to open it, There
were few whispered words with the new
comers; and then Leona said gravely: my
love, this is Doctor Williams. I have heard
much of his skill; and brought you here
because [ longed, for my own satisfaction,
to have him examine your eyes. I did not
wish to mention it at home, for there was
no use in making any one else a sharer of
my suspense"
! Doctor Williams voice was very kind.
| liked that. He proceeded gently with
his examination. For five minutes I was
in agony of hope In fancy saw again
earth and sky, and, dearer still, the sweet
face of my bride. Leona held my hand
tightly.
AT length the doctors verdict came. I
know he pitied us two poor young things.
looking to him to crush or confirm hope
as precious as life. His voice trembled. =
He said, in low, earnest tones "God sof-
ten it to you! There is no hope..''
1 r,ft