Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-02-14

too, that he should know who had
sheltered him, before he departed, or
was she to let him leave her without O.
sign?
The explanation was precipitated
by a conversation which took place
when he was recovering.
Reginald was able to sit up in chair,
but was still weak, and the doctors
could give him but faint hope of re-
gaining his sight. One afternoon when
Ruth had been reading to him, he said,
Your voice reminds me very much
of some one once knew, Miss Grey"
"Indeed said Ruth.
yes; some one very dear to me-" he
went on, but whom I have not seen
for years, and whom since this mis-
fortune has come upon me I may
never see again."
AT this allusion to his blindness, Ruth
could not suppress sob; and he said:
"Ah, [ know how your gentle heart
feels for me, Miss Grey; but if you
knew all--how like q madman I once
put aside from me deliberately all the
happiness of my life-you would in
deed pity me. Listen for little while.
and [ will tell you a. sad story"
And then he told her how he had re-
pented his action on that fatal morn
ing, describing to her also her own con-
duct, and how her face was still with
him, sleeping and waking. He told
her how he had never married, and
how aimless, and reckless, and miser-
able life he had led, never daring to
seek out Ruth Darnel again. He said
how he had been working to be worthy
of her; and how while on this very
journey, which had come to an end
SO disastrously, he had Teen filled with
a faint hope for the future, and had
well-nigh resolved to seek Ruth out.
He painted his boyish love in such col
ors, that Ruth felt the old thrills
stronger than ever; and he described
herself till she blushed rosily, though
she knew he could not see her. And
then, as his voice faltered, and he
spoke Of his desolate condition, she
could bear no more, but burst into
tears, and fled from the room.
GA tender-hearted girl" thought
Tremaine; "why have [ inflicted my
troubles upon herr; it's strange return
for all her kindness" And then ne
murmured to himself, as the tears roll
ed down his SCARED face. 90 Ruth,
Ruth what would not give to have
my wasted life over again F."
Was he dreaming? Was it only
of Ruth 2" He listened and heard it
again, and then the answer in the low
sweet tones of the nurse.
So her name was Ruth, and the voice
so like the Ruths of old And who was
calling her? Mrs. Darnel surely, as he
had heard her in other years. A glim-
mer Of the truth burst on him, and his
brain reeled at the thought that his old
love had been nursing him.
In q few moments Ruth returned.
When she did SO she was much sur
prised to find her patient standing, de-
spite his weakness, upright in front of
his chair, in the attitude, as it seemed,
of an eager listener.
Ruth ?" he said, as she entered;
and she saw he knew all, and in a mo-
ment she was clasped in his arms.
Then he spoke with a broken voice,
as she sat beside him with his hand in
| hers.
"Ruth, have no words to thank you
with; but your life must be 10 part of
mine now, shattered and blind as | am.
[ must 60 dear, and 60 soon.'
"No, dearest" she said very quietly;
Eve Will separate no more"
81 cannot have you sacrifice your
SELF" he said; cit is pity"
"No," she said, gently kissing his
hand; sit is love-"
And that was Ruth Darnel's revenge.