The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-02-05

day when her husband had first told her
of his love, she often believed herself
the sport of some illusion. Then the
least sound or movement would make
her tremble. 1t seemed to her that the
awakening from her dream might come
at any moment.
III.
By reason of NJ. de Chatillon's blind
ness, the social relations of his family
embraced only immediate relatives.
One evening at the salon of Nine. de
Gleves, a cousin of Roberts, whose re-
ceptions were often attended by stran-
gers, Cecile remarked an elderly gentle
man, very eccentric in dress and man.
ner, who gazed at her husband with
singular persistence. Mime. de Gleves
begged permission to present him, say
ing with mocking smile, that he was
DR.. Richter, a renowned American
specialist who had effected marvellous
cures of blindness, older in date even
than that of her cousin, whose case he
would gladly undertake.
Cecile gave him an eager welcome.
She told him the circumstances attend
| ing her husbands loss of sight, and he
declared the preSumptions in favor of a
cure were strong, adding that he could
give decided opinion only after minute
examination. He then asked permis-
sion to visit NJ de Chatillon on the NOR
row.
Cecile could not give this without her
husbands acquiescence, which was not
easy to obtain. He had exhausted all
the resources of official science; he had
tested many empirical remedies, alike in
value, and fatty refused to see the
American doctor.
Cecile insisted, implored. but without
avail. Excusing herself to the physi-
clan, she withdrew to deserted corner
of the salon to think over the situation.
Suddenly she heard her name spoken
by Nine de Gleves, who was in q small
conservatory separated from the larger
room by a mass Of exotic plants.
''YOu see, my dear, that | am not so
simple as to fail to understand the in
fernal combination that has dictated
this ineXplicable refusal. That little
monster of Cecile must 90 on impo-
sing upon our unhappy relative. If the
doctors hand should send away the veil
he would appreciate her at her true val
ue, and see what a strange sort of
Countess of ChatillOn he has imposed
upon us as 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 Ce-
al ,.o.o ,,o1o ord +,a,,, 1,li,,or. bn,
ish glance scanned the various groups.
Lhe saw the American Just bidding his
adieu. She rushed forward, reaching
him in the hall just as valet was help
ing him on with his overcoat.
Doctor" she said. in hollow, trem-
ulouS voice, ''your offer is accepted.
count upon your visit tomorrow noon.
If you restore sight to NJ. de Chatillon
1 will bless you to my latest hourr'
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 horrible night. This
happiness which had rendered life SO
dear was about to perish; the dream had
ended. Through all the long, inter
minable hours she wept bitterly, de-
spairingly. Nevertheless, dawn found
her firm and resolute.
She went 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 careful diagnosis announced to
NJ. de Chatillon the certainty of success.
The treatment began at once. The
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;
rs for Cecile, she accepted these nine
days as one condemned to death accepts
the respite of a briefperiod 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 = mystery, for whom
each movement of the hand upon the
dial repeats the fatal decree, brings q
rending of the heart, a CONFUSION OF
anguish. The delay, accepted at first
Us consolation, became an agony. In
vain Robert repeated to her that it
would be with this physician as with all
the others-that blind he had taken
him, and blind he would leave him.
Not for 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. Chatillon in the saloon. He had
anticipated the hour. Cecile. who had
not expected him so soon, was giving
her tears free vent, knowing that the SUI
preme moment had arrived.
The American. regarding her more |
closely than usual, saw the fearful raw
ages grief had made upon the unhappy |
woman, but he absolutely mistook the |
cause of the sorrow of which he had be-
come the involuntary witness.
Il perceive. madame, he said |
smiling, that have not succeeded in |
making you share my confidence in the |
cure of Count de Chatillon. Happily |
the moment has come to furnish you |
something better than affirmations. In
five minutes your husband will see you
as plainly as now see you myself" "
At this assurance, which so greatly |
aggravated her wound, Cecile raised
crv. Her SobS redoubled, she had to
stife them with her handkerchief.
Il beg your pardon, madame, " said
the amazel physician; ''but in truth J
do not comprehend
You shall comprehend, monsieur"
cried the young wife. Il passionately