Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-04-19

and 90 to the nearest village and seek a
shelter for the night"
Fitine paid do attention to this counsel.
"See here Felix she replied, II will sit
here with thee on this bank and rest rs
long as thou wilt but say no more to me
of leaving tree on the road, because that
cuts me To the heart.
90 Fitine, am weary unto death, -
moaned the blind man, rs he fell back
heavily on the grass. ''Why should de-
ceive you? / can walk no more, my poor
friend
''When Won have rested, Felix, YOU will
feel stronger. Lean on me, and try 10
sleep"
IL cannot sleep, Fiiine. Ny eyes smart
and ache, and sting SO cruelty, that my
courage is fast ebbng away, and | feel |
can bear the pain no longer
The girl laid his head gently on the
grass, and rising, she went to the bank.
and stepped her handkerchief in the clear
water, then first removing the bandage
that bound them, she laid it softly on his
eyes.
THAT does you good, Felix"
O, Fifine, what a weary burden | am to
YOU" he answered. as she went to aud fro
to the brook, continually renewing the
cooling bandage till he felt relieved.
There now, Felix, YOU talk like u child
again. Why vex me with such worls?'
Because they are true. have leaned
on YOU the whole way from Liege it 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 reach home
Fifine, it will he your courage, your con-
stancy that will accomplish task. As for
me. left alone, would lie down, and only
pray to die. Oh, my dear, dear love, you
have been very good to the poor blind
helpless creature who clings to you so
wearily.'
Fiiine did not see him; She turned her face
away, though he could not see her, and
shed tears silently. ] had loag under
stood that the letter had written had
brought the brave girl to her lovers aid,
and thought the richest lady in the land
might envy her those tears
''Fifine," said the soldier, anXiously, as
though the silence terrified him, ''are YOU
there?'
Il am here, Felix" she answered, in a
cheerful voice, sitting her tears.
You are very patient with me- he said
softly. Are you tired
Tired, a great, strong girl like me I.
no indeed, Felix
Il mean, are you weary of my COM
plants" he confined, searching CROPPING
ly for her hand. ''Fifine, will never for
get your kindness; whether | live or die.
! will never forget it. try to think that
| may accept it now, on this weary jour
ney, because it is the last time | will give
you trouble, once at home, will pray the
Burgomaster to get me into an asylum for
the blind
You will do no such thing, answered
Fifine quickly. "What, may not work
for youP Do not break my heart, Felix. ."
The young man was silent. | saw that
pride and sorrow chained his lips. Tohim
II seemed impossible to accept this deyo-
ton; but he would not say so now, since
it panied her to hear it.
"Fiiine. if veX YOU. forgive me- it is
not Felix who speaks IT is the blind sick
soldier, who has wearied for sight of
your face these two years and now that it
is near him he cannot Sc it"
She stopped forward and kissed him.
but ii shall always be near you, Felix.
DO you hear me? All your life long my
hand will be close by to help you, as it is
now
She put her arm aronnd 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 now.
''Filine.' he said. after moments 81
lence, 1.-THE sun is getting low; | will try
to 90 on. feel better now have rested. -
Then let me replace the bandage on
your poor eys, Felix
As she spoke, she removed the damn
and folded handkerchief resting on them,
and he, Selling her hand, instantly ex-
claimed
"Fiiine. see barsr'
She fell on her knees, gazing at him
wildly.
Felix? Felix! You will not be blind /!
On, thank God! You will not be blind
II Is my hand You see--my great clumsy
fingers. Oh. how glad | am'-boY gie;l
| ann =
The sight OF his joy touched me STRANGE
", and was forced to look away for A
moment, lest my own eyes should fiji with
foolish tears. would have zone down
into the vale to help them long AGO. but
the pony was restless, and | dared not
leave him. So'knowing they must come
on by this road, ! stroye to wait patiently
till they should join me. When turned
my head toward them again, Fifine, with
trembling hands, was adjusting the band
age 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 his listless
attitude Of patience that the hope Of recov-
erlng sight was far fainter in him than in
her.
Up the steep bank and on between the
poplars into the road, she supported him
with her firm arm, bearing him along as
l.. Il I.... IL 4. Z.