The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1883-12-20
MANITOWOC. WIS. DECEMBER 20. 1888

his sue, anu lOOk MS HduU III Iulut.
''Phil dear will you always wear
mask before me?n
He was taken aback. / felt his start,
and he turned his head, seeming to
look at me.
''If do it is save you pain.
philip, it breaks my hearth
Then he told me the truth at last.
He loved Phoebe Carroll.
We sat there in silence after he had
told me all, l trying to stifle feeling
of jealousy. 1t never seemed possible
that he could fall in love.
''Have you ever asked her PHILIP"
.sMotherr'
"Why not?n
"Ask her TO devote her life to apoor,
helpless wretch like me? | would die
sooneri'
Philip, do you think 1 have ever
felt what do for you burdenP"
He raised my hand to his lips.
"Hush, mother; that is different
There have told you the truth-all
my folly and madness. All these
months / have been struggling to crush
it out-with what successp Mother, we
will go away. Help me, and l will not
yield again to the longing to be near
her. Let US go!''
Darling, do you think she guessesPn
''She does not. In that, at least, l
have been strong
The next day but one l went to
Phoebe Carroll.
''Phebe," began, with a futile en-
deavor to control my voice, 81 am in
trouble"
In an instant her arm was around
me, her soft cheek against mine.
''Can | help youP' she whispered.
"Ten me what can do
sit is about my boy"
'.Is heill?'
Moves. Phoebe, he has learnt to
love some one; and he is blind!'
She turned very pale and her head
sank on my shoulder.
Poor fellow [ am afraid she does
not care for him. But if she did, what
would his blindness matter? She would
feel it the greatest pleasure to wait on
him, to make him forget his loss. If
she did, lie would be ten times dearer
for his very helplessness.
''For time perhaps, Phoebe"
"For always. | am certain of ii"
Oub Wv y Ou lIliA' u ollS oOSo hOu Sal y
for him?"
81 feel sure she does not"
''Quite sure, Phebe?" and 1 drew
back and looked searchingly into her
eyes
Her lip quivered, and a rush of color
flooded her face and neck.
'Do you not mean Alice Voresp"
"Phebe, l mean you. He loves you,
dear; he is wearing himself out with
fighting against it. He has told me
how it is, and [ have come to you. Can
you help me?"
"How?'
She was trembling, and kept her
face away; but knew the truth.
took her straight back with me,
and together we entered the room
where Philip was sitting.
"WhOm have you thereP" he asked,
for Phoebe was too much agitated to
speak.
''Phebe," said. my boy, have
told her."
''Motherr' he cried out, reproachful-
ly, starting to his feet, and then cover
ed his face with his hands.
She ran to him and drew his hands
''Why did YOU not tell me, Philip?
/ have waited so long!'
He tried to draw back, but she would
not let him. | crept away.
Aweek after this Nelson Vores came
again.
"Where have you been all this timer"
Philip asked him, after the first greet
ings were over. 81 have missed you.
And what's up? Your voice is not like
itself"
Il have been out of sorts, and it
seems too bad to you to bring the blues
here. But l thought / would come
to-day to see if your patience and cheer
fulness would shame me into better
state of mind"
"What is it Nelson? Money trou-
blesP"
mo. I'll be frank with you, old
man. / have been dreaming of making
a home of my own, with the sweetest
woman the earth contains for its mis-
tress. But it is only dream after all. y
He walked up and down the room
once or twice, and then resumed his
seat.
'It may prove reality yet said
Philip.
mo. There is some one else, she
says. There, don't say any more about
that. / am not the first who has been
roughly awakened. And you look so
contented, Phil, 1 almost think it must
be blessing to be blind"
at seems strange" said my son,
thoughtfully. ''Here you, with all you
have to offer, are refused; while l with
nothing on earth to recommend me,
have won what / never dared to hope
for. | am going to be married"
'You arep l am very glad. Lucky
fellowi'
ITO Miss Carroll" Philip added.
cit seems an awful sacrifice on her
part, but am human"
Nelson Vores started as though he
had been struck, and his very lips turn
ed white. His eyes met mine, and he
saw that understood.
A minutes pause, and then he said,
quietly
Il congratulate you with all my
heart"
When he went away he beckoned to
me, and followed him into the hall
"Never tell him." he said, in whis-
per. 1T would only sadden him.
Promise me?'
And promised.
Philadelphia Politeness.
The Philadelphia youth is growing