Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-04-19

"1cannot sleep, Fifine. MY eyes smart. and
acne, and sting so cruelty, taat my courage Il
last eooing away, and feel l C An be 1t the paiu
The girl laid his head gently on the grass
and rising, she went t. the bunk, and stae oe \
her handkerchief in the clear watec, then irSt
removing the bandage that bound them, sh
laid 1t softly on his eyes.
That does you good, Felix, I know
90, Fifine, what weary burden an t,
YOU" ne answered, as she went to and fro II
bandage tin he felt relieved. "As '''0 ''''''s
There. now, Felix, you talk like Child
again. Why vex me with such words?"
because they are true. l have leaned on
you the whole way fro n L1ege: IL is your arm
that has supported me, your strength that has
borne me up. But for you, should have fallen
on the road a hundred times. And If | can
your constancy that Will accomplish the task
AS for me, left alone, would lie down. and
only pray to die. Oh. my dear, dear love yo'l
have been very good to the poor blind: helpless
creature who cltngS to you so YEARLY"
Ftfine did not answer him: she turned her
face away, though he could not see her. and
shed tears silently. had long understood that
the letter had written had brought the brave
lady In the land might envy her those tears.
F1fine." said the soldier, anXiOusly, as
though the silence terrified him, "are you
81 am here. Felix" she answered, In a cheer
full voice, sitting her tears.
so,9 are very sC patient with me-" he sad
,n nIired! a, great, strong girl like me! No,
81 mean, are you weary of my complaints, -
'.Fifine. / will never forget your kindne s.:
whether live or wife ,her die, l will never
forget It.. try to think that l may accept it
last time viii give You trouble. once at home nue.
VIII pray the BurgOmaSter to get me into an
asylum for the blind"
"You will do no such thing" answered Fifne
quickly. "What! May l not work for you !?
DO you want to break my heart, Felix ?"
The young man was silent. saw that pride
and sorrow chained his lips. To him 1t seemed
Impossible to accept this devotion; but ne
would not say so now, since it panied her to
hear it.
"Fihne, If vex you. forgive me; it is not
who has wearted for sight of your face these
two years, and now that 1t Is near to him, he
cannot see It,"
She stopped forward and kissed him.
'But it will always be near you, Felix. Do
you hear me? All your life long my hand will
be close by to help you. as 1t is now"
She put her arm around him, and lifted him
gently, as she would Child; and as his head
fell upon her shoulder, thought that If his
poor SCARED eyes could weep, they would weep
"Fihne," he said, after moments silence
.'the sun is getting low: will try to 20 on.
feel better now l have rested
Then let me replace the bandage on your
AS she spoke, she removed the damp and
folded handkerchief resting on them, and he,
selling her hand. instantly exclaimed:
Fitine! Isee barsr'
she fell on her knees, gazing at him wildly
"Felix! Felix! You win not be blindi on.
thank God! You Will not be blind! Tt is nv
hand you see-my great clumsy fingers. On,
now glad am!.how glad amir
and / was forced to look away for moment,
lest my own eyes should fill with foolish tears.
l would have gone down into the vale to hello
dhem long ago, out the pony was restless and
come on by this road, / strove to wait patiently
till they should join me. When turned nv
mead toward them again, Fifine, with tremb-
ing han0s, was adjusting the bandaye which
covered the eyes of the soldier AS she aided
him to rise, saw he was wearied and worn to
the last stage OF weakness, and perceived by
ms lstiess attitude OF patience that the hope OF
her.
Up the steep bank, and on between the pop-
Jars into the road, she supported him with her
her In his weakness, heavily. Intent only on
aiding him, seeing only him, she did not per
ceive me, till with the long reins In one hand,
held the other toward her.
'Ftflne, 1 am here to help you. This carriaoe
Is Tor you and Felix, and will lead the poay."
= She burst Into tears OF joy; she could not
utter word to thank me, and when aJ last
*.
"Ah, now, thank Heaven, he will be home to.
nlght-ne will be weary no more! And, Mon
s,eur, minute ago he could see-think Of that,
alt was only for moment" said Felix, with
Wistlul smile. cit is all dark again now,
would say nothing in reply, but In my own
a near !, h ag great hope from that momentary
1t did me good to see the relief the thankful
ess, with which the poor n7alId sank down
believe, but for this help, Fidne, with ali her
courage and her strength, would never have
brought him to Saint Hilaire. AS it was, we
MADE quite trlumphal procession as we en-
sun leading the pony, and Josephine wavin
queer little carriage.
cannot describe the meeting between father,
mother and son. To English readers, it Nigh
appear strange, extravaganza, an exagger aGioa
of feeling It is not all who know howfa
stronger and more sacred, abroad than at home,
IS mat pure love which we Call nlial and paren-
The poor soldier tainted as his mother put her
arms around him. This mingling of 10Y ana
sorrow, added to his pain and weakness over
came him. When he recovered sense and
speech, he placed Josephines hand 10 his
cannot"
In looking on the old couple, saw in their
age and feebleness the girls reason for walking
to Ltege to fetch her lover. Their arms would
nave been OF no use to him. their feeble steps
could not have aided his. All were so Door that
vehicle was never thought Of.
My story is nearly told. In day or two,
when Felix was rested, and seemed stronger.
l fetch the good doctor from Sc. Elmo to ex.
anime his eyes. The result was as supposed.
hopeful. Yet for many weeks it was only an
anxious, uncertain hope; for II sight came ba ck
for moment, 1t fitted away again like shad-
ow, leaving his darkness more depressing But
as strength and health returned, sight came
gradually, not sight perhaps as he had once
possess ed 1t, but enough to make him happy and
to earn his own living
Henri Lefevre danced merrily at the wedding:
love could scarcely touch so careless q heart,
and 1t was he who claimed the first kiss OF the
brides cheek, and wished her long life and hap
Argosy.
How OLD ARE You, MIss?"-A jersey City
Journal reporter, entering the North Hudson
County Railroad Office at Hoboken the other
morning, noticed the following curious order,
posted conspcuousiy In the money making de-
paltment: '1n case conductors have any doubt
about the age OF q girl attending school, they
must ask her In quiet way whether she Is over
fifteen years OF age. II she says no, the COZ.
ductOr must take her word, and make no fur
tier remarks. II the Conductors think they are
imposed upOr, they must report to the Office"
The reporter questioned Charles Eicke the re-
Ceiver, as to the object OF such a curious order,
and was informed that it appertalned to school
girls who ride regularly on the cars Of the COM
pany on school tickets, which are sold at re
0uced rates. 1t appears that certain girls who