The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-01-30
ventured to inquire.

|
think there is hope that his eyesight
may be restored 1t was dreadful
blow to him, he was so strong, so full
of life and the joys Of life. He came
here to get away from the world and
his friends, but the loneliness is terri
| ble."
She talked as one pleased to have a
listener, and Nell looked so fair and
sympathetic.
"You ill not object TO giving him
at least one hour occasionally, if he de-
sres your company, will you ? know
! it Is great favor to ask, but anything
to amuse and interest him, will do"
ut will be a pleasure to me- said
the girl earnestly.
Mr.. Chichester welcomed her with
smile.
You have come to cheer the ogre's
loneliness again, have you, little friend!
What is yonr name ? Oh, yes, Nell.
| may call you Nell, may | not p
Certainly, SIR and Mrs. Lanel nod
ded approval
Then come sit near me Nell, and
read in this book if you are not tired.
So she settled herself in a low chair
near him, while Mrs. Lauel took seat
by the front window.
She read n while. and then Mr.. Chi
chester asked her some questions about
her school-studies, and finally began to
tell her of places and people seen
abroad.
"Tm not over thirty myself, Nell,
and before this terrible darkness fell
on me, | loved life az ardently as any
one could
He was a good talker, and Nell felt
that in listening to him, she was repaid
for the kindness
The ladies of the village called on
Mrs. Lanel, but none of them except
Mrs. Blakesly, Nell's mother, saw the
master of the house.
She was good woman and not Civ.
en- to ambitious dreams, but she could
not help looking forward to the future,
and thinking how this acquaintance
between her young daughter and Ed
ward Chichester might cod should his
sight be restored.
1t was summer never to be forgot
ten by Nell Blakesly. From being one
of the widest, most daring girls in the
school, she became one of the quiet
est.
The girls teased her a good deal,
but she only laughed good-humoredly
| at it.
Early in autumn the doctors ordered
Mr.. Chichester abroad. He would |
spend the winter in Italy and 90 on to
Paris in the spring, where a famous
oculist had promised to try his skill on
his eyes,
81 wish could adopt you and take
you with me, Nell"
"Wait till next year, and you can |
come back for her, Edward" said his
aunt
Yes, if the doctors do me any good,
and even it they do not, feel that you
ought to belong to me now. How old |
are you, Nell ?"
She bushed scarlet, and looked APP
pealingly at Mrs. Lanel.
'She is seventeen, Edward"
Seventeen he cried in astonish-
ment "Why, thought her child of
twelve or thirteen
He became silent, and, after waiting
little, the girl approached him,
"l on are not angry, sir, because
did not tell you =
"Angry, sweet friend, no; but | must
adjust myself to the new condition of |
things. must plan different fu.
ture."
He stretched out his hand grasping-
ly, and Nell laid hers in it. He car
ried the slender fingers to his lips.
"Can | ever repay you, Nell ?"
ooh, sir, you have more than repaid
me already" she said, her tears falling.
They were tears of pity for him, and
tears of grief for herself. There was a
dreadful pain at her heart, and she felt
almost frightened at the CLEAN of the
future. What could she do when her
occupation was gone ?
The Ogres Castle looked very des-
olate when he went away, and Nell
often paused at the gate to loook in,
and to sigh for the time when the ogre
would return.
1t was just = year from the time he
went away till he came back, Nell
saw the carriage coming up the street,
and ran to the window, but its closed
windows made her heart sink. Alas
he came back as he went--blind
The gill had developed wonderfully
in body and mind that year. Her
school-days were over now, and she
might have had lovers in plenty, but
her true heart remained faithful to that
friend so far away. And it did not
falter now when her hopes were crush
ed. In the evening Mrs. Lanel came
after her, and without question she
hastened to make ready for the visit.
She put on her prettest white dress,
and fastened roses in her hair, Just as
though he would her.
ut is foolish wbim, but | cannot
help it,"
She could not trust herself TO ask
how he bore the disappointment of not
having his sight restored, and Mrs.
Lanel, for once did not mention his
name. In fact, she was singularly 81
lent on the subject, and ushering Nell
into the parlor, went away
A lamp burned softly on the table,
and there in the armchair sat Mr.. Chi
chester, his head bent down, a ban
dage over his eyes. With throbbing
heart the girl advanced towards him.
"Mr. Chichester
"Nell !"
He raised his head and stretched out
his hands to her.
"Oh, sir, | am so glad to see you
again T.
"Ah, Nell, 1t has been the strongest
desire of my life to see, now for a
year Come closer; let me put my
hand on your head"
She knelt down before him, and he
passed his hand slowly, caressingly
over Eer head.
"You are not schoolgirl now, You
will not care to read or talk to the ogre
~ L