Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-05-14

was recommended, anu the IaiT iIltie
wife left home, friends, and country, to
seek new lille Tor her husband in ltaly's
soft airs.
In tho library, where Earnest lielaine
had spoken his love tale 10 Elsie. there
were seated five years later An elderly
gentleman and Young, lair woman in
deep mourning.
Your mother must have missed your
letter. Elsie. Doctor Rodney was saying
"Shr would never have left home, ox'
pecting your return"
al found my last letter unopened up
on her table. All was SO sudden at the
last uncle Godfrey seemed no we'll
when wrote before, that do not think
The idea OF my return occurred 10 her.
1t is So lonely ut home | came at once to
you. hoping TO stay till father and mother
return from Niagara
you know, dear child, how glad am
la have you with me- Elsie, there is
something to tell you that we did not
write, thinking it would only srieye you
Earnest has been deeply afflicted"
Earnest lie is here, is he not ?"
Aiwnys / viii tell you NIL. You
heard snon alter your arrival in Italy did
,ou not. OF The dreadful accident ut the
limestone quarry just out of the village p
The explosion P7
Yes Many were killed aud wound
c,l hl the premature explosion "f larse
quantity of blasting powder. Every ono
FASTENED 10 the spot to aid the sufferers,
supposing all danger was over. Earnest
went down TO The quarry, superintendent
The removal OF The wounded, and | re-
oriyel them In II long stone cutters shed
above, and dressed their wounds. All
hnd been removed but the dead, and
Earnest was still in the quarry when
second explosion horriicd II. 90
oh, uncle E""" Nv
..utSt
..li-
- was thrown some distance, and
taken up nscnsible. Apparently his in
iurie- were slight. bul rs he recovered
consciousness we found blow upon his
head, which, with the nervous sh ock had
totally destroyed his cycsight."
Not incurably Pn
"Yes, dear Every effort skill could
suggest or money procure has been made.
We have had the advice OF the fiIst sur
geons and ocuists in the country, and all
remedies have been faithfully tried. All
has been in vain. He is hopelessly
blind"
Elsie's tears were falling so fast she
could not speak. and her uncle continued: :
"lIe bears his trial with the foriitude
and resignation oil true Christian, but
it is grief none can appreciate, cx-
ccpt under similar afiliction. Cut off in
the prime ol lie from profession he
loves. from ;he resources Of books, writ
ing. or any pursuit requiring cyesighl,
be has of necessity many weary, unoc.
cupicd hours. Tread TO him when can
and consult with him whenever meet
with Il professional difficulty. You
would be amazed il | Uere 10 tell you
how much he aids me- After hours oi
thought over difficult case, he assures
me his memory OF study and experience
is far clearer than when outward objects
distracted his attention, and his sugges
lions are invaluable to me. Hush he is
coming!"
Don, say am here. lcannot speak
to him yet" whispered Elsie. rising soft.
", and taking Il seat in the further corn
er oi the room. where she watched with
painful interest Eainest's entrance.
He came in very slowly, his hands out
stretched and his step uncertain, as will
bc the case where blindness is a misfor-
tune OF maturity, not the habitual cross
carried from infancy. Elsie longed to
offer her guidance and support. but could
not control her voice to speak.
Are you here, Doctor Rodney ?"
Earnest asked. and the deep. musical
voice struck unchanged upon Elsie's ear.
ii am here. in my old place"
"Let me find my chair. All! here it
it is" and he sank down wearily in the
chair Elsie had just occupied.
81 have sad and glad news for YOU"
said Doctor Rodney.
Sad and glad News from abroad ?"
Yes The sad news is from Godfrey
Chase. He died in Florence last month
And Elsie Is coming home That is
your glad ews?"
Eyes. Poor Elsie !"
There was an interval of silence then
Earnest spoke in musing tone, as if
following aloud train OF thought
Better to be widowed than TO be bur.
dened rs she would have been, had my
lie been blessed as once hoped Inev-
er thought to say, Thank God Elsie is
not my wife, but have said it from my
heart since" and he touched his sightless
eyes, "this happened. Her gentle heat
will bc saddened Tor time; she will
sorrow with The grief of loving heart
but comfort will come, AS my vile, the
sorrow would be lie long. God bless
and comfort her in her soilowr'
"You loved her very truly. Earnest?"
II love her! Till death stills my heart
throbs, can never cease to love Elsie.
When is she coming home, doctor?"
t.