Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-06-28


imperceptible pressure of the taper fin
gers could be so termed. Frank took
it fer assent, and bending down he
kissed the lovely face once, twice,
thrice, till the cheeks were as brilliant
as the crimson rose Jessie wore in her
dress.
"My own, my darlingp' was all he
said. A sharp peal of thunder passed
away unheeded as he spoke. After a
pause he resumed
$50 you do love me, Jessiel / never
thought you would care for me, dear"
Indeed do" she whispered; "why
should j notp But often wondered
that you selected me as your c0mpan-
ion all these weeks. for am so unfort-
unate.n
"Why, my darling, how are you un-
fortunatep" and he passed his arm
around her waist.
"Because-because l cannot
bear to mentionit; though do not mind
now-at least, not nearly so much"
"But what is this terrible reason why
should not love you, JessieP Tell me,
dearest
go Frank! that is like your kind SYM
pathy for me. OF course, you guess.
1t is because am blind, you knowr
Frank recoiled as if he had been
stung, a choking gasp escaped him, and
he could not speak for moment.
"Blind" he repeated at length, as if
in dream; blind! 0 Jessie! So am Ir'
1t was too true. Blind from his birth,
Frank Carson had never dreamed that
Jessie was afflicted like himself. Mag
gle had never told him this, and the
terrible fact was now revealed to the
lovers for the first time. Franks
knowledge of the ground and neigh
borhood in which he had lived for years
had enabled him to keep Jessie in ig-
norance of his infirmity, which he of
course fancied she was aware of.
And had it come to this, after all?
Jessie seized his hand. "Oh, do not
tell me that! Frank, dear Frank, say
you can see me! Have you never seen
me, never at allP''
She waited breathless for his answer.
1t fell almost like blow.
"Neverr'
And this was the end of her dream
of love! She had been 50 very happy
to think that one man at least had been
so kind and sympathetic; that one man
had seen her vacant eyes and SCARED
face, and had loved her for her
self alone, not for her beauty
and her wealth. But now-the
charm was snapped-the golden bowl
was broken! She bent her head. A
great warm drop fell upon her hand,
now clasped in his once more. She
started as she felt it. He was suffering,
too. She drew herself up, beautiful
smile upon her face, then bending to-
ward him she pressed kiss, the first
kiss of her pure lips, upon his forehead.
80 For better, for worse, till death do
us part dear Frank, l am yours, if you
will take me SOP
"Till death do us part, herepeated
solemnly, and he in turn was stoopin o
to his love when
A hot and brilliant flash of light rent
the cloud overhead, rattling peal of
thunder followed it to earth. and Frank
and Jessie lay beneath the riven tree,
hand in hand, to all appearances locked
in sleep-the sleep that knows no wax
ing.
Till death did them part! Was this
to be their parting, on the threshold OF
their livesP FEEs.
Peal after peal of thunder ratified
overhead, the lightning flashed around
them, the rain poured down in torrents,
and there they lay unconscious of the
elemental war-asleep!
"Merciful heaven, have pity on
them!" "
1t was the rector who spoke, as he
and some others of the party came sud.
denly upon the senseless forms beneath
| the tree. an G
Was the prayer heardP We dare not
speculate ON subjects such as this. Who
can tell?
The bodies were borne to cottage
close by; the light clasp of the fingers
was unloosed at length. Jessie, the
bunch OF roses contrasting so with heI
pallid face, was laid upon bed, Frank
was in the nextroom, insensible still.
A stifled sigh first proclaimed to Mag.
gle Denne that her heartfelt prayer had
been answered, and Jessie sat upright
Turning to her kind attendant, she said
family:
maggie, dearestr'
Maggie, full of Joy, hastened to the
bed. There was Jessie Hamblyn, in
deed; but it was the Jessie of old. Hel
eyes were open wide and full of life!
"It is true, Maggie, darling; it is
true, and | can see you once again.
can, can! Look, here are my roses
there you stand. Oh, thank Heaven,
can see the sky once morep'
She fell back exhausted, then, rising
again, cried:
Is it true about FrankP love him,
he loves me; the lightning struck US
yes, but itgave me sight for him. Thanh
God! Where is Frank?" she inquired
after pause.
In the next ROOM" said Maggie, a.
she wiped away her happy tears. &C
Jessie! how thankful we all are! We
feared the worst for bothr'
At this moment the rector entered
softly.
"Oh, come in, papa, come in; dar
ling Jessie can see us again. Is it mo-
wonderful? l am so thankfulr'
lit is indeed wonderful" replied
Mr.. Denne. g And now" he said, after
he had atfectionately congratulated
Jessie, f" l have more good news; Franz
has recovered and has asked for Jessie
May he come imp"
II will go to him." she said, rising
from the he'd. And before they could
stop her she had hurried away to the
next room, where, lying upon sofa,
was poor Frank Carson. She hastenet
toward him. 80 Frankr' she cried
" dearest Frank, ] am so glad Their
blushing rosy red, she whispered: "Til
death do us part. God has given me
my eyesight once again, to nurse ant
tend you all my life. Dear, dear Frankr
He said no word till, rising up, he
knelt beside the sofa, and Jessie:
thanksgiving and his wentup to heaven
together. an.
But little remains TO be told. The
lovers were united before many months
had passed. Algernon and Maggie
soon followed the good example sci
| them by Jessie and ner lover On the