Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-02-08

him home, though l offered to escort
her over little later.
1t was q week after this, and Albert
had been away, when he returned sud-
denly. Coming into the room, he said:
"Etta, it will be all right"
Then seeing me, am sure, he made
some awkward explanation about money
investments. But Eta grew very
silent, and soon after I heard pencil
over paper. Albert was writing. A
few minutes later he left the room, and
very soon Eta asked me to excuse her
for O moment and followed him. I
CROPPED my way to the table, where I
was sure 1 had heard Albert writing.
Nothing there! felt about, till small
piece of paper was found close beside
Etta's chair. She had trusted to my
blindness for its remaining undiscov-
cred.
I was half mad with jealous pain,
and somehow got to Mr.. Raymond's
study.
evil you read that to me?" I asked.
Without another answer he read:
II must speak to you. Will wait in
the summer house."
"Thank you'll" I said.
"What is it ?" he asked?
"The wrong note. will find the
other"
went away to the summer house,
softly as thief, guarding my steps on
the frozen ground. They were there,
and could hear Albert's voice. As
came near 1 heard Etta-"Ah, Albert,
I will love you all my life for thisr' :
She was crying, too. could tell
that by her broken voice.
turned away and went home. It
was cold day. and was utterly mis-
cradle. Aunt Hilda insisted upon nurs-
ing me, and submitted, brooding over
my secret pain, seeking no sympathy.
1t was but natural Eta should turn
from the blind lover, who was but a
disappointment, to the handsome young
man of fortune who had loved her SO
long. 1 would try to give her up-not
in anger, but tenderly.
But could not. Albert returned to
Chicago, and every day Eta became
dearer to me. She was the light of my
life. She gave me every hour she
could spare from her duties to her
uncle and his house, and she spoke of
our future as surely to be passed to-
gether. l bad no courage to tell her I
suspected her secret, and only in nv
lonely hours did I dwell upon the re-
membrance of Albert's visit.
The long winter wore away, the early
spring was gone, and when May bios
SONS were bursting Eta came one
morning to see me.
do you remember Doctor Sander
son ?" she asked.
Your cousins friend ?"
Yes. He is great oculist." .
My heart seemed to stand still.
he came from New York solely to
see you, and he warned us that we must
not give you exciting hope for some
months. Perfect tranquility, he told
US. was the great hope for the recov ery
of your sight"
Recovery of my sight," I cried.
He thinks that possible ?"
lie thinks it more than possible.
II you improve in strength as you have
done all the winter, he was certain
he could successfully operate this
month"
could not speak. Very gently Eta
told me OF her cousins kindness. He
had gone to the city solely to find this
doctor, who was no more his friend
than he was the friend of any other pa-
tlent. He had brought him to see me.
and then burdened my Eta with his
secret instructions. Even Mr.. Raw
mond and Aunt Hilda were ignorant of
this loving conspiracy.
IL inundated me to think OF the part
l had taken, the unworthy construction
had placed upon Etta's outburst of
gratitude. But she should never know
L had doubted her, even for an hour.
Tell me-" said "when this doctor
will come again."
de is here, waiting 10 see you."
He came in soon after. and there was
no reluctance then in my answers to his
searching questions. He examined INV
eyes closely, and. gave me q promise Of
sight IN less than two months.
And he kept bis word. After the
operation, he gave me strict directions
Tor bandaging and confinement in a
dark room, till, at the end OF six long
weeks, he came again, and let me see
once more the blessed daylight and
Etta's face.
From that hour I gained hope and
courage again. and when my eyes were
perfectly restored returned to New
iork. 1 was expressly forbidden to
resume my old duties, but the firm
gave me position a. salesman and
good salary.
Eta waited another year for me.
wnen my greAt-uncle left me legacy
that enabled me TO harry, having a
sure income.