The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1884-11-13
CRUEL KINDNESS.


Martial" l called, hearing a step
in the room next my own sleeping
room, where sat reading n letter lust
received.
"Yes, mas 'am," was the prompt an
swer; and Martha came in--a quiet,
middle-aged woman, who had been in
my service twenty long years; who had
nursed my children, now lying in the
cemetery, had been my own devoted
nurse whom myhusband's sudden death
prostrated mo for weeks, A servant,
but my most devoted friend rs well.
'.Martha," said. "I have lottor
from Mrs. Joyce"
Martha waited for further Informs
tion.
miss Bertha" said, "wants to
come here, and have DR.. Preston opcr-
ate upon her eyes. DR.. Preston SAYS
the operation will be a difficult and
dangerous one, and the result very
doubtful. But Miss Bertha, who has
been SO resigned to her loss of sight,
so submissive and patient, has become
restless and irritable, and insists upon
tho operation. What l called you for
Martha, was to ask if you will take the
care of her-take her out, sleep in her
room, devote your whole time to herp"
darling!"
"And will you go to Castleton for
herP You will be glad to SEQ Mr..
Fred"
The old woman's face frightened.
friedrich Stevenson, my husbands
nephew, who had been our adopted son
as we'll, was the very idol of Martha's
hal ha,. lo1,
Mr.. Fred tho model of manly perfcc-
tion, physically and mentally.
1t was only natural that my sister
should make her house a second home
to him, and l was fearful from her let
ter that it was some hastily spoken
opinion of his that has caused Bertha's
sudden resolution. For ten years,
since she was child of eight, she had
borne tho loss of sight-causcd by ILL
ness-without complaint, and had felt
it as little as q family of devoted BROTH
ers and sisters could make her. She
was the darling of all of them, from
Susie. who was two years older than
herself, and was feet, hands, and eyes
to her, down to baby Johnnie, who
carefully led her to her seat in the
house or garden as gently and as sue
cessfully as Susie herself. Nobody was
ever too busy to wait on Bertha, and
she had often laughingly said her af-
Fiction gave hcr throne she never in
tended to vacate.
Never shall forget the first inter-
view we had with Or. Preston. had
asked him to call in day or two after
Bertha's arrival, wishing to give her
the opportunity 10 rest after tho jour
ney. But she had not been an hour in
the house when sho asked me to send
for him, or take her to his surg6rv.
Sho was trembling with oxcitment, and
hor worry lips were white, so that did
not dare to take her out, and sent for
him. She was not still moment until
nc came, pacing up and down tho long
parlors, her shaking hands outstrotch-
Cd before her. or standing ut tho win
dow, as if she could watch for him.
Every few moments she did what had
noVor seen her do before in all the ten
years OF darkness, opened her eyes
"ido' TO their fullest extent. and strain
od them In stare that was sickenine
to sec. 1t was quito in vain that I
tried by every loving device to win her
to sit quietly beside me, to talk, even to
play for mo. She could not rest
Whom at last tho doctor entered the
room, she went quickly to him, crying:
'Dr. Preston, l must see! | must!
You will open my eyes foEmep'
He took both her extended hands in
his own, and led her to seat
Every hour of this excitement less
ems your chance" he answered. You
arc in foyer now and I can do moth
ing"
And indeed the poor child's checks
were crimson, and the veins upon hor
temples throbbing visbly.
You Will look at thomP You will
look at my, eyosp" sho pleaded. II
will boAso obedient, so patient doctor.
You will not refuse mep''
~ viii not refuse you," he said;
put can DO nothing until you have
conquered this excitement. You must
be tranquil, or / cannot operate,
II will be. Give mo ono raw Of homo
and l will be quictr' PO'
1t was pitiful to see how she triad
even then, to control her restless fin,
gers apd quivering lips. The doctor
motioncd me to follow him and call
Martha. [ sent Bertha to her own
room with the doctors orders to lie
down for an hour or two.
II will perform the operation, Mrs.
Stevenson" he said to me, "because
your niece will have it dono by some
ono DISC If [ refuse. But I tell you
frankly, 1t is not advisable"
'"There is chance, thought" / ask
ed, almost as eagerly as poor Bertha
herself.
Yes. But what has so changed
Ihorp'' ras - - 90. "''' D
II dare not ask myself" / said sad
ly. II know nothing"
81 will see her again tomorrow. In
the meantime would strongly advise
you to call in your family physician. TO
see If ne can control this feyerish ex-
citoment, She seems on the verge Of