Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-06-09

have had the advice Of the first surgeons !
the country, and all remedies have been faitl
fully tried, All has been In vain. He is hope
lcssly blind"
Maggie's tears were falling 10 fast she eoul
not speak and her uncle continued
"He bears his trial with forttude, but It IL
grief none can appreciate, except under simila
aiiliction. Hush he IN coming"
"Don't say am here. l cannot speak 1
him yet whispered Maggie, rising softly an
taking seat In further corner Of the room,
where she watched Georges entrance witt
painful earnestness.
stretched, and his step uncertain. Maggi
longed to Offer her support, hut could not con
troll her voice to speak.
"Are YOU here, DR. East" George asked
and the deep. sweet voice struck upon Maggie
ear
IL am here, in my old place"
Let me find my chair. All here il is /:
and lie sank down YEARLY in the chair.
~ have glad Int still sad news for YOU,
said DR.. East.
"Sad and glad News from abroadY"
les. iut hau HtNS VI i-uWSu 'ioN''
lie died in Italy last month"
And Maggie is coming home, that is yon'
glad news"
"los. Foor Maggie !"
There was deep silence. lIen Ccorg,
spoke in melitating tone. rs il following
aoud train OF thought Better to b,
Widowed than to have been burdened as she
would have been. had my life been blessed AZ
once hoped. May heaven bless and comfort
her in her sorrow
"lou loved hor very truly, George
81 love her willie life romans. ,an nevci
cease to love Maggie. When is she coming
home, doetor?'
She has come.
"But her parents are away
'She is here, George"
1t was painful to see how the sad, face of the
afflicted man lighted up as he bent forward
eagerly. his hands .outstretched and his fea-
lures working with emotion. Here, he e.
Maggie" He had forgotten his blindness, her
widowhood, everything, but the fact that
Maggie was near him. II cannot seen you,
"Speak to me- She came softly to him, her
tears falling fast
"Oh, Maggie ~ he remarked, ~ have no
word to comfort your SORROW"
"And your ai1lction, George" she replied
is n new sorrow to me-" They talked to-
gether for considerable time. There was
much to tell by both parties. and each SYM
pathized with the other for the sorrows which
had fallen upon them lring their separation.
1t was not long before Maggie had found her
old place in the home circle as if she had never
left it,
To George a new and perhaps happier life
had opened. Maggie again was his sweet,
TENDER loving hearted sister. 1t was Maggie
who drove him out in the carriage; it was
Maggie who read to him, sang for him. made
the hours fly with merry descriptions of her
travels.
Maggie had opened drawer in Georges desk
for some papers he wished to see,
when she said, suddenly:
"What are all these loose papers, George
There are an immensity of pages"
He replied very sadly: "That is the wreck
of my ambition, Maggie
"Tell me about it ~
"iou cannot realize the temptation there is
for student of medicine to devote all his
energy to some special branch of the profess
sion, and to study all that bears upon it, 1t
was my fancy that l could give my fellow
students some valuable information upon dis
eases of the brain, and had written what YOU
zee when my labors were stopped and became
he useless log am now.'
But the book, George; have you for
gotten it =
Forgotten? Never 1t is clearer and
more distinct in my tlarhened life than ever be-
ore. My mind in my solitary hours. has
lwet on each phrase of the various treatment
If the diseases till find my blindness mis-
ortunc for others as great as for myself"
''But, George. why should you cease your
york? Cannot you dictate to me?"
Maggie is il right to tie you down 10 such
lrdgry Z"
sit will not be drudgery. Let ne arrange
hese papers now. and read them to yon, and
'ou can continue the work tomorrow"
~ know ii is selfish, but the temptation is
90 great. Maggie. you are my guardian
nigel r.
The work progressed rapidly. and DIR. East
watched with loving sladness the change in
'eorgc. Maggie wrote for him, and read the
extracts he dictated, entering with her whole
leart into the work.
year passed away from the day the work
ras commenced before it was ready for the |
ress, and they We're rewarded at last by
ackage containing the handsomely bound
olume.
Maggie WAS in the library alone when DR.. /
last entered with the book.
Look at it, Maggie darling, while I find
ieorge."
II am here DOCTOR" said George entering.
Let me feel it. Maggie, dear, please read
le the title page"
Slowly she read the page, even TO the figures
nat announced the date of publication.
1864, she said, as if pondering. 1T is leap
ear"
George looked up. Despite his blindness he
ard any object of interest. Now his face was
ale, eager and yet radiant.
leap year." Maggie continued. '.when
dies may offer their hands to gentlemen.
gorge, will you take mine :" /,
Maggie, do not mock me. You are Young,
eautiful and wealthy. What am II"
"What you are to Others" said Maggie, "let
le universal love and respect you meet testify.
hat you are to me l can never tell yeu. You
We me. George?'
with my whole heart and soul?"
"Let your love, then. read mine.'
ooh Maggie-Maggie, can it be true? You
We me, blind. helpless. useless -
"Hush George"
You are my eyes, my fingers, my inspira-
on
"Then you will have me?' said Maggie,
errily.
81 have no answer yet
DR.. East stole softly away, blessing them in
S heart as he did audibly when the wedding
y came For they were married, and the
,neymoon has not yet waned
His Wife Sang Wretclledly. 1
Two young ladies were once singing
let in a concert-room. A stranger, ,
ho had heard better performonoas