The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-09-11
B1DDEFoRD, ME-, FRIDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER II, 1868

apologies; they arc all the amends that 70.
main for mo to make. '. .' -.r .. an.r
He laughed frankly. .a .a'.....-r'
"To tell you tho truth. Mr.. Blair" he
said, "only your fever and delirium saves
you from half dozen challenges, and as
many duels.-You appeared to have con.
siderable animosity towards me, for some
unexplained renson."
lfeli myself color as lie spoke, but could
make no answer tie went on:
~ did not como 10 speak Of, this" be
said.-"Arc you strong enough to bear a
little agitation 2" r .. -. .a.
~ believe | am,"l 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 z"
"'rcn weary years." answered..
sand have you never thought Of regain.
ing yonr sight have you never hoped to
do so?" he asked. in gentle tone, still
keeping close beside me.
"Thought Of Ii often, often hoped for
it,-never! 1t isa blessing denied TO me
forever shall never zee again."
81 think you may, ! am almost cer-
tain Of It," interrupted the doctor rapidly.
awhile you were III, | examined your eyes
curefhlly.-My dear boy, think may
promise you that you shall SEQ again, and
well never mind the rest will follow Of
ITSELF"
What that last inexplicablo sentence
meant did not dare to think; the promise
of the fist was too glorious to realize at
once. We talked It over calmly. however,
and II was arranged that was too keep the
whole secret, and to accompany him to
the city, when ! was strong enough, that
he nigh, have It in his power to perform
an operation In which he religiously be.
lieved. For my own part could not bo.
leve; could only hope and pray.
! left homo in fortnight with Dr. Cluy-
more during that time had been think.
ing and reasoning much with myself, and
had grown very calm. II ever had any
hore that Elsie could have been my own,
il would have been harder! hut I had ul-
ways felt that must one day lose her, and
now ut least, ] knew that the one she had
chosen was worthy Of her. ] believed that
when I henrl that step on the morning of
my journey, | listened to It as the step Of
Elsie's be,ro,hed husband, without any
thought ofmy helples SELF and thanked God
that il was so firm and light-so fit step
to walk beside her through the toilsome
march fife.
A month had passed; l was In town
sill, but was going home OF tho morrow.
When went should SEQ the old house,
my mothers face 1 should look, at last,
In Elsie Russels eyes, and thank her for
her kindness to the blind man, who almost
seemed like some one elsc, 80 different did
hIa appear to me, now that sight was ie'
stored.
sand, for this, must thank you, DR..
Claymore," I said, graspiny his hand and
looking thankfully into his handsome face
"but for you should still grope my nliser.
able way thro' life. You have given inc
the power to he man. cnn he my moth.
er's protector now instead Of the burden
have been so long"
"And Paul Blair, you can tell Elsie Rus.
sell that you love her" said the young doc.
tor, quietly.
started, and looked at him In astonish.
ment.
81 understand" he said 81 know what
you have thought, but that pure heart is
free, Paul Blair, and Il loves you"
Still l stood motionless and wondering.
"You are right" he continued, n did
love Elsie Russell as brother, love her
still; but you, Paul Blair, have read your
heart from the frst-l know all that you
have borne, f"r something Of It's sorrow
have fel, myself When frs. carne to
your house, he went on. Il saw that you
loved Elsie, and knew that I came as RI.
val but what man ever considered another
when he was himself in love? ! wooe'l
Elsie Russell and hoped TO win her, feel.
ing all the while that was breaking your
noble heart. You remember The day when
you wero first taken illl"
"Indeed do" answered. "Shall
ever forget III"
"Tha, day." continued the doctor, 81
had ridden out will, her upon the quiet
river bnnk I told her Of my hearts love,
and found that Il was hopeless. The
knowledge was very hard to bear, Paul
but when, in her innocent, pity Of my grie,
she told me that she esteemed and liked
mc-that she had no friend she valued
more but that there was one whom she
bad always loved, who needed her more
than did. for whose sake she would re-
main single forever, IL 1t must needs be,
then, Paul Blair, I felt that coming there,
had come between pure and holy love
seldom sceu or felt on earth h-und I prayed
to God for pardon. When riding home.
ward by her side, found you lying pros
,ra,e on the ground, and learnt from your
ra,ings, and the words OF the old servant
,ha, my surmlses were only too correct,
Heaven knows that all the anger In my
hsart was for myself; for you I felt nothing
hut compassion. For that strength which
made me strive to bring my rival hack to
health aud happiness, which Put Il In my
heart to pray for your restoration to sight
II a.. IL A. n - - -