The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-03-06

ceptions were often attended by strar-
gers, Cecile remarked an elderly gen
tleman, very eccentric in dress and
manner, who gazed at her husband
with singular persistence. Nine. de
Gleves begged permission to present
him, saying with a mocking smile.
that lie was DIR. Richter, a renowned
American specialist who had effected
marvellous cures of blindness, older in
date W. than that other cousin, whose
case he would gladly undertake.
Ceclle gave him al eager welcome.
She told him the circumstances attend
ing her husbands loss of sight, and he
declared the Prescriptions in favor Of a
cure were strong, adding that he could
give a decided opinion only after mi
mute examination. He then asked per-
mission to visit NJ. de Chatillon on the
morrow.
Cecile could not give this without
her husbands acquiesence, which was
not easy to obtain. He had exhausted
all the of official science; he
had tested many empirical remedies,
alike in vain and fatty refused to see
the American doctor.
Cecile insisted, implored, but withou.
avail. Excusing herself to the physi-
clan, she withdrew to a deserted corner
of the salon, to think over the situa-
ton. Suddenly she heard her name
spoken by Nine. de Gleves, who was
in a small conservatory separated from
the larger room by a mass OF exotic
plants.
You see, my dear, that I am not so
simple rs to fail to understand the in
fernal combination that has dictated
this inexplicable refusal. That little
monster of q Cecile must go on impos-
ing upon u unhappy relative. If the
doctors hand should send away the veil
he would appreciate her at her true val
ne, and see what stan &c sort of a Count
ess OF Chatillion he has imposed Upon
us rs a cousin. That foolish comedy OF
perfect love they have for three years
been giving to the public would then
soon enough have the denouement such
an ugly creature deserves!"
Upon hearing these cruel words, &C.
cile rose, pale and trembling; her fever
lsh glance scanned the various groups,
She saw the American just bidding his
adieu. She rushed forward, reaching
him in the hall just as a valet was help
ing hin on with his overcoat.
Doctor" she said in a hollow, trem-
ulous voice, your offer is excepted. 7
count upon your visit tomorrow noon.
Ii You restore sight to M. de Chat1llon
l will bless you to my latest hour!"
Five minutes later the poor young
wife led away her husband, concealing
from him her agitation and the incident
that had caused it.
Cecile passed a horrible night. This
happiness which had rendered life so
dear was about to perish: the dream
had ended. Through all the long, in
terminable hours she wept bitterly, des-
pairingly. Nevertheless, dawn found
her firm and resolute.
She vent to her husband, and, with
out imparting to him the unworthy con-
lectures of Nine. de Gleves, she urged
him in such sweet. tender words to seek
healing once again that she triumphed
over his repugnance.
Doctor Richter came promptly, and
after a careful diagnosis announced to
NJ. de Chantillon the certainty of sue
cess. The treatment began at once.
h applications were to continue nine
days, during which time the patient was
to be kept in utter darkness. He
yielded to this condition with rather a
bad grace; as for Cecile, she accepted
these nine days as one condemned to
death accepts the respite of a brief
period OF existence. There remained
nine days more in which she might be
beloved.
Alas, like one condemned to death,
she knew the tortures of the being to
whom the hour of supreme denouement
has ceased to be q mystrv, for whom
each movement of the hand upon the
dial repeats the fatal decree, brings a
rending of the heart, a~convulsion of an
guish. The delay, accepted at first as a
consolation, became an agony. In vain
Robert repeated to her that it would be
with this physician Us with all the others
that blind he had taken him, and blind
he would leave him. Not for a single
moment did Cecile doubt of success.
She was convinced that her happiness
had been too great to last.
On the ninth day the doctor found
Nine. de Chatillon in the saloon. He
had anticipated the hour. Cecile, who
had no expected him so soon, was CIV
ing her tears free vent, knowing that
the supreme moment had arrived.
The American, regarding her more
closely than usual, saw the fearful raw
ages grief had made upon the unhappy
woman, but ne absolutely mistook the
cause of the sorrow of which he had be-
come the involuntary witness.
SI ,,aJ.saty.a r,o1or, yI,,ol or,..
"Ihat [ have not succeeded in making
you share my confidence in the cure of
Couat de Chatillon. Happily the mo-
ment has come to furnish you some
thing better than afilmations. In five
minutes your husband will see you MS
| now see you myself"
At this assurance, which SO greatly
aggravated her wound. Cecile raised a
cry. Tier sobs redoubled, she had to
stife them with her handkerchief.
ST beg your pardon, madam" said
the amazed physician; "but in truth I
do not comprehend
You shall comprehend, monsieur!"
cried the young wife. II p~assionately
love my husband, and thus far I am
sure he has fondly loved me in return.
Now look me in the face-right in the
face, Doctor-and see if when M. de
Chatillon shall have seer me plainly
and distinctly as you now see me, say
if it will still be possible for him to
love me- III
The doctor lowered his eyes and did
not answer. "Ah, madame" he falter-
ed, "do you think if had supposed, if
I had known-?"
eff You had known-Ah Doctor. this is
an INSULT" cried Cecile, with indignant
violence. "When 7 asked you to treat
NJ. de Chatillon l told you that if you