The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-02-01

perhaps that is it, / answered al
most coldly, for it hurt me that anyone
should know more of his appearance,
than l.
When they were gone looked a
Phil and my heart sank. After closing
the door upon the pair l had re-entered
the room so silently that he did moi
hear me, and for a minute / could
watch him without his knowing it,
Only minute, and then he had caught
a half sigh that would have vent.
"You here, mother?"
Eyes, DEAR drew my chair to
his side, and took his hand in mine
''Phil dear will you always wear a
mask before mep"
He was taken aback. felt his start,
and he turned his head, seeming to
look ut me.
IF l do it is save you pain"
philip, it breaks my heart!'
Then he told me the truth at last.
He loved Phoebe Carroll.
We sat there in silence after he had
told me all, trying to stifle feeling
of jealousy. 1t never seemed possible
that he could fall in love.
iiuNc YOU cNcI dShtu ncI L llllE
"Motner!'
| "Why not?'
''Ask her to devote her life to apoor
helpless wretch like meP 1 would die
sooner!n
philip, do you think l have ever
felt what | do for you burden?'
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 / will not
yield again to the longing to be near
her. Let us go!'
Darling, do you think she guessesP"
''She does not. In that, at least,
have been strong"
The next day but one | went to
Phoebe Carroll
Phoebe" began, with 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 you?" she whispered.
TEL me what can do"
at is about my boy
SIS he lip"
Moves. Phoebe, he has learnt to
love some one; and he is blindr"
She turned very pale and her head
sank on my shoulder.
Poor fellow l 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, he would be ten times dearer
for his very helplessness.
''For time perhaps, Phoebe"
''For always. | am certain of it"
''But do you think she does not care
for him?'
81 feel sure she does not"
"Quite sure, Phebep" and l drew
back and looked searchingly into her
eyes.
Her lip quivered, and rush of color
flooded her face and neck.
''Do you not mean Alice Voresp''
''Phebe, 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 mep''
''Howp'
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.
Phoebe" said. my boy, 1 have
told her."
''Mother!' 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
down, to hold them tightly in hers.
''Why did you not tell me, Philip
] have waited so long''
He tried to draw back, but she would
not let him. | crept away.
A week 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"
~ have been out of sorts, and it
seemS 100 Dau 10 you 10 DrlnS tne DlueS
here. But I thought l would come
to-day to see if your patience and cheer
fulness would shame me into a better
state of mind.
"What is it NelsonP 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. "
He walked up and down the room
once or twice, and then resumed his
seat.
''lt 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
awakened. And you look so
Phil, almost think it must
be blessing to be blind"
at seems strange" said my son,
"Here you, with all you
have to offer, are refused; while with