The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1876-01-26
e~ERrRUDE's LovER

her here" answered the old mar ser
want.
that is well Sayf much wish
20 see her"
While the young visitor, evidently
II considerable perturbation, paced
he pretty drawiDg-room the old do
nestle proceeded Oh his Grand
ia catering Miss Fane's apartment,
ne fouad her standing waiting for
him.
She was about twenty-six, Of a
slight graceful figure, and q fair
sweei-expressioned couDtenanee, rem
dered singularly striking by a pair of
large, beautiful blue eyes, bat 1t re-
quired only a glance at the latter to
perceive they were deprived of that
great blessing-sight.
Come, join" she said, sG ling,
how long you have kept mel"
I'm sorry you should need so poor
an arm as mine, Miss Gertrude"
said the old man with emotion. Il
know what blindness is, and | wish,
over and Owe again, that you would
90 up to London and try to find that
young man who gave me sight"
"Ah, how sweet it must be to see, +"
sighed the girl. "Tell me, John,
about yourself"
why, Miss, until five years ago |
was as blind as you, and had to live
on charity. The man that supported
me died. and ] should have had to
enter the workhouse or starVe, when
/ resolved TO COUP 70 one Of those
large hospitals in LoRdon. They
dismissed me as iGcurable. As /
left with a heavy heart enough, a
voice addressed me. 1t inquired
why there were tears on my cheek.
toll the reason. The speaker ask
ed # / would risk placing myself in
bis hands. Gladly / consented, and
IN six weeks / saw"
wonderful" murmured Gertrude
Fame. ooh, that | could find him.
Who is here, john" she asked, quick
ly. as the old man led her into The
drawing-room.
MIR. Weston, Miss; be wants to
see YOU"
Herbert, aud the girls face flash
ed with pleasure. Ny kind friend
Herbert. You can go, good John"
Holding fo,th her hands, she ad-
vauced 20, the young man, who took
them aud pressed them in his.
Dear Gertrude" he said, how /
have longed 10 see you-swect COM
fortcr 10 all my troubles"
Troubles? See me. Where is
Alico."
In the library; / have just left
nor"
your voice is sad, Herbert" ex-
clGimed the girl, bending her ear to-
ward him. Something has happen
ed"
Something has happened, indeed"
he responded, mournfully. You
arc aware how passionately l love
yonr cousin, Mrs. Errington, But
her lawsuit, my comparative poverty,
and q sense Of my own unworthiness,
have made ne nervous to confess my
alteration. To day has put it for
ever beyond my power. Listen.
As you know, her late husbands
brother entered into o lawsuit re-
sperting the property. He has died
suddenly. BY will his nephew las
inherited, with this proviso, that if
Alice viii consent 10 marry him, the
lawsuit will thus be settled"
And what does Alice say?"
Ignorant ofmy love, she has ask
ed nv advice. She hesitates, yet
seems disposed to necept, but finally
deferred her decision until the young
baronet's arrivalto see her, which
viii be to-day"
"Why do you not ask her to be
yours at once2" asked Gertrude.
Il dare not. IL appears ungener-
Gus, selfish, when wealth and q title
are placed in her grasp
Wealth, title! exclaimed the blind
girl quickly. What are these TO love?
to render those happy who are dearer
than life to US? What JOY is there be-
yond that?'
Herbert Weston looked at her
amazed. Her cheek was flushed, her
features animated, her eyes brilliant;
it was difficult to believe they lacked
sight. Advancing nearer he took
Der hand, saying kindly:
Gertrude, you speak as 4 who
knows what love is.o
Il do,7 she murmured, sadly,
dropping her head. Eyes; but to
me it is only 6 sweet dream. Love,
10 the blind, is different from what it
can be to You, Herbert. With them
it is hopeless
Poor Gertrude. Do | know
Him whom | love?" she inter-
rupted, smiling. mo. No one has
ever seen him. will tell yoa how
lie was. Over six years ago | was
staying with a Mrs. Elliot. One az
ternoCn | accompanied her daugh-
ters 70 4 rowing match on the river.
I There was a great crowd, aud some.
bow l got separated from my friends
I w9s overwhelmed by terror, when
my alarm was augmented by some
rough men who had been drinking.
My fear was n subject of mirth to
them; they addressed me, they touch
ed me. screamed aloud, when sud-
denly another voice sounded in my
ear-loud, angry TO the men; soft.
clear, brave and musical TO me. |
selt myself lifted 10 a pair Of strong
arms and carried from the crowd.
Nv rescuer restored me to my party.
He was asked home. lie went. He
came again aud again, ever with
flowers for me. 0ace be came to
say farewell. lie bad to go to Lon
don"
Gertrude he whispered, ! love
YOU. but | am too poor to wed.
Never forget me; never a | forget
vou. / have formed q resolve,
which | dare not tell you; but, by
Heavens blessing, we will meet
again"
"And did you?" asked Herbert
Weston.
Gertrude shook her head sadly.
NO" she said, "never. Ny
cousin married; thea, afterwards left