Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-05-23

to the city, when was strong enongb, tha
be might have it in bis power to perform
an operation in which he religiously be
lieved. Fofmy part, Ieould not believe
| could only hope and pray.
left home in fortnight with Doctor
Claymore; during that time had beer
thinking, and bad grown very calm. If
ever had any hope that Elsie could have
been my own, it would have been harder;
but l had always felt that l must some
day lose her, and now at least. believed
that when l heard that step on the morn
ing of my journey, listened to it as the
step of Elsie's betrothed husband, without
any thought of my helpless self, and thank
ed God that it was so firm and light-so
fit step 10 walk beside her through the
toilsome march of life.
A month had passed, was in town still /;
but was going home on the morrow
When l went should see the old house,
my mothers face; 1 should look at last in
Elsie Russelrs eyes, and thank her for her
kindness to the blind man, who almost
seemed like some one else 80 different did life
appear to me, now that sight was restored.
Sand for all this mnst thank you, DR..
Claymore," said, grasping bis hand, and
looking thankful into his handsome face !;
"but for you l should still grope my mise
rable way through life. You have given
me the power to be man. / can be my
mothers protector now, instead of the
burden have been so long,"
.'And Paul Blair, you can tell Elsie
Russell that you love her." said the young
doctor quietly.
Istarted and looked at him in astonish-
ment.
81 understand" said be; 81 know what
you have thought, but that pure heart is
free, Paul Blair, and it loves you"
Still stood motionless and wondering.
"You were right" be continued, 81 did
love Elsie Russel; as brother I love her
still; but you, Paul Blair, l have read your
heart from the first-I know all that you
have borne, for something of its sorrow l
have felt myself. When I first came to
your home, be went on, 81 saw you low
ed, Elsie, and knew that l came there as
a rival; but what man ever considered an
other when be himself was in love? l
wooed Elsie Russell and hoped to win her,
feeling all the while that was breaking
your noble heart. You remember the day
when you were first taken i'll? 2"
"Indeed / do" l answered. "Shall I ev-
er forgot II"
"That day." continued the doctor, ~
had riden out with her on the quiet bank;
l told her Of my hearts love, and found
it was hopeless. The knowledge was ve-
ry hard to bear, bear, Paul; but when in
her innocent pity of my grief, she told me
that she esteemed and liked me-that she
had no friend she valued more, but that
there was one whom she had always loved,
who needed her more than did, for whose
sake she would remain single forever, if
need must be; then, Paul Blair, I felt
that coming there l had come between a
pure and holy love-seldom seen or felt
on earth-aud prayed God for pardon.
When riding homsward by her side, l
found you lying PROSTATE on the ground,
and learnt from your rawlings, and the words
Of the old servant, that my surmises were
only too correct, Heaven knows that all the
anger in my heart was for myself; for you
[ felt nothing but compassion. For that
strength that made me strive to bring my
rival back to health and happiness, which
put it in my heart to pray for your restora-
Lion TO sight, as though it had been my
own, l thank the mother who taught me
10 pray, and God who gave her to me-
Paul Blair, if did not know that you
had noble heart, would never tell you
This; knowing that, I would make you yet
happier by giving you the knowledge that
my steps can never come between you,
save to your ears-that you have not to
win heart, but only to claim it. Good
bye. God bless you! Go home to Elsie,
and make her joyful
l listened to his step as it faded away
in the distance, and could have wept-
how good and great he was.
At home they knew nothing of what
had happened. AS the carriage drew up
1t the gate, l looked out and saw light
iorln, that l knew must be Elsie's, tripping
down the path. l stepped out and waited
ill she came up. As she drew close to
ne I shut my eyes.
"Dear Paul, you are at home again
Your mother has gone down to the village |
10 meet you-you must have passed her"
said she, taking my hand in hers.
"Then you are alone, Elsiei ! siad.
"Yes, Paul"
~ will 60 if you will lead me, Elsie"
She answered ME by drawing her hand
through my arm and walking on. We sat
lown together in the little parlor, and l
'entured to steal glance at her. She
mad altered very little since her childhood.
Her solemn eyes and golden hair were just
he same. She was looking at me sadly.
| arose, and crossing to the sofa sat down
beside her. i-i...
"Elsie Russell" said, u have something
% say to you; no filter opportunity can
come than this. Will you listen and an
'wer mei"
"Surely Paul." she said, "why not"
And there and then / told her Of nv
ove, Of my alteration; and prayed for
hers in return. How I told it, what words
[ uttered, / never knew; but ere l had
ended, she was weeping on my bosom.
"But you must remember that am
blind Elsie; that you must lead me about
and care for me as l should for you; that
he world will call this sacrifice, and blame