Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-04-06

| and whose LIE ana death hdu Deef eve
shrouded in mystery. Further inqu Try
only confirmed the facts, as the child re-
membered them, and when Mrs. Elwyn
died here, in Nice, six months ago, she
left her entire property to Beatrice Moore,
her niece
'sThen Trixy is an heiress?"
Eyes. It was one of the marvellous dis
pensatons Of Providence, We'dare call ac-
cident, that took Mrs. Eiwyn to the school.
There Trixys strong resemblance to her
lost sister first attracted her notice, and
she inquired about her. Finding she was
anxious to obtain employment, she engaged
her as companion for a European trip
| Il am very glad Do you know where
she is?"
Il little hand fell lightly upon one lying
on the knee of Martin Bruce, and was
lifted to touch a soft, round cheek. A
voice, low and tender, said very softly,
Have you forgotten me?"
"Trixy?" he exclaimed. Il have never
forgotten you. But you are no longer the
: little child left six years ago.
/
II am woman now. You will let me re.
nam beside you, and be your eyes and
| hands2"
'"Ah, Trixy, no! Your youth and beauty
for [ know you are beautiful-must
| meyer be taxed by such heavy charge.
Do you know can never see you again.
! Do you know that in less than year l
| shall have to find a home in a charity asy-
Jun? You will come sometimes and read
to ne there, perhaps?'
| "Never! [ will never come to a arity
asylum to see you. You break my heart
when you talk sop
''Weil, little one, then we will hope for
! better daysi''
Trixy's lip quyered at the attempt to
speak i'll the old, CHEEKY tones that had
comfortcd all her childhood's miseries.
| Her eyes were dim with tears as she spoke
again, hoping to carry some brightness to
the darkeued life.
! Poor blind Martin Bruce, who had lift
ed her from the darkest misery and suf-
fering to place her where she could in
proye-Who had put her where her aunt
had discovered and adopted her-her hene-
factor and only friend-a helpless, blind
pauper!
Was it wonderful that the woman's
heart thrilled with pain and love, and that
the graft ude of years suddenly confronted
her in new fornl-the love of her WOman's
heart? She realized suddenly, forciby,
that if Martin Bruce passed out Of her
life again he would leave there void
never to be filled. Pity and gratitude
seemed only feeble names when love sprang
up strong and true, and 1rixy recognized
its over.
But all maidenly reticence held her 81
lent for many days, every one Of which
found her in the square beside Martin
Bruce, winning, answering love by her
tender care for his helplessness; her spark
ling conversation, her wcmanly sweetness.
1t was a strange courtship, where the
woman wooed, where the man worshipped.
Little by little Martin Bruce acknowledged
to his own heart that the loss of his eyes
was light compared with the loss he antici-
I pated-the SIS of Trixy's voice and Trixy's
doctor was III ging Martin Bruce to try the
effect of some famous German baths, when
| Trixy received letters from New York,
that necessitated her return to look after
some of her auat's property.
The prospect OF separation nervei her as
no other prospect could have done, and she
sought the bench where she had met Mar
1o,J j,+i 4boE
made her cheeks burn.
"Martin," she said gently. ''but few wo-
men dare to take their life happiness into
their own hands-waiting, hoping, till
another comes to put it before them. A
maiden may not WOO, they say. and so they
Wait till their hearts grow sick for fear
they may be thought unmaidenly."
Here she paused, watching the pallor.
the breatl less eagerness of the face lifted
toward her.
"Trixy," her lover said. "you deceive
yourself"
A soft hand closed his lips.
''Do you love me, Martin b.
"With my whole heart!'
GAS 1 love you!'
''Trixy dare not take you at your
word.''
"Bot YOU will I have loved you for six
wears, Martin. 1 will not lose you again"
And she kept her word. Those who
speak with splty Of ''poor Mrs. Bruce"
whose husband is totally blind, know moth
ING Of the deep, abiding love that makes
Trixy's life of devotion and selfsacrlfce
life of pure happiness Swallowed only by
sorrow for her husbands affection.