The Van Buren press., 1874-08-11

of "Oh, Lord, l thought you we've
squirrel" !" and | was dimly conscious
that Briggs had hit something al last.
He had hit me.
| came to myself after a weeks fever
and delrium, quite blind. My eyes were
untouched. But the nerves hal been
somehow injured. There was something
horrible in the surgeon svaSue promises
of improvement in time, and all could
say to the penltent Briggs was, ~" by
didn't you hit a vital spot while you wef,
about p
1t was a horrible time l don't like to
think about it even ncw. l was not sure
how time passed. There was no DAY TO
me and / seemed suddenly to have
launched into dark eternity.
One day had terrible longing Tor
fresh air, and as there could he no rea.
son for keeping me indoors ordered
nv nurse, an OLD oolored man, to set
chair for me in some lonely spot where
strangers would not be apt TO spy me out
He did so. There was little nook
which | knew well, where no one save
some rural fisher ever came Here bade
him leave me, and return in an hour lie
oheyed.
"Ah," l thought to myself, were
Millicent my wife, | should have one
who would love me even now; one on
whose truthful bosom could rest my
weary head. "
Milicent" !" whispered softly. "Mil-
lieent Millicent!'
The name brought back sweet recol'
lections. | rested my head upon my
hand, and INDUCED in them until, being
still. weak, sleep overcame me.
Then | dreamed of her.
We were together in some beautiful
spot and my arms were about her and
hei kisses were on my lips.
How vivid the dream was.
was awake but | felt the kiss still /,
another, and another A hand seemed to
rest on my shoulder. lnvoluntarily
strovc to clasp it in my own. Then,
then, knew it was no dream A hand
was there 1t did not resist mine-a lit
tie, trembling, woman's hand, soft and
warm. and sweet-Millicent's own dear
hand, | knew before drew her to me.
Its my little one, said. "Speak
to me, | cannot see you.
IL know | ought not to be here, y she
sobbed, g but IL could not help it. !
am so sorry--so very, very sorry Tor
you
Then you've got over hating me,
Milicent, ! said.
81 never hated you, she said. Il
only said so. But there--l-l didn't
mean YOU should know ! was here.
thought you were asleep, and ! suppose
it is very wrong Of me, and Miss Martin
would be justly angry v
Miss Martin !" said !. "You don,
believe that story. The poor blind fel-
low YOU see before you would have little
chance with Miss Martin, even il he
wanted her; and he don't. But ! beg
your pardon, Miss Millicent ! ought not
to hold your hand SO long. Mr.. Brown
might object
"Oh, don't Harry" she said. f" cant
be proud any longer now. ! hate that
Brown. I'm SO glad you're not engaged
to Miss Martin. Put your arm around
me, darling, an please forgive me.
When black Sam came to me | told
him that Miss Milicent had been kind
enough to promise to keep me compan,
for while. and he might go.
She told me that the stars were IN the
sky as she led me up the steps of the old
hotel, and told her that my star at last
had risen,
The doctors predictions of "some
Improvement were fulfilled. l could
see as well as ever on my wedding day ;
but never shall forget that Millicent
came 10 me in my darkness, not guessing
that it would ever be broken again on
earth, and gave me back the love should
not then have dared to ask for. Nor can
there ever be moment more delicious
than that in which felt her lips upon
my brow, and knew that Milliccnt and
had made up our quarrel.