The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-02-05
sion to visit M. de Chatillon on the moi.

row.
Cecile could not give this without her
husbands acquiescence. which was not
easy to obtain. He had exhausted all
the 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 a deserted corner
of the salon to think over the situation.
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 l am not so
simple as to fail to understand the in
fernal combination that has dictated
this inexplicable refusal. That little
monster of n Cecile must go on impo-
sing upon our unhappy relative. If the
doctors hand should send away the veil
he would appreciate her at her true val
ne, and see what a strange sort of a
Countess of Chatillon he has imposed
upon us as a cousin. Thatfoolish 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 G.
ellie rose, pale and trembling; her fever
ish glance scanned the various groups.
Lhe saw the American just bidding his
adieu. She rushed forward, reaching
him in the hall just as a valet was help
ing him on with his overcoat.
doctor she said. in a hollow, trem-
ulous voice, '.your offer is accepted.% /
count upon your visit tomorrow noon.
If you restore sight to NJ. de Chatillon
l will bless you to my latest hour!!'
Five minutes later the poor young
wife led away her husband, concealiug
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. 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 a 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;
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 n condemned to death,
she knew the tortures of the being to
whom the hour of supreme denouement
has ceased to be a mystery, for whom
| each movement of the hand upon the
dial repeats the fatal decree, brings a
rending of the heart, a CONFUSION OF
anguish. The delay, accepted at first
as a consolation, became an agony. In
vain Robert repeated to her that il
would be with this physician as 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
Mime. Chatillon in the saloon. He hac
anticipated the hour. Cecile, who hat
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 unhapp,
woman, but he absolutely mistook tn,
cause of the sorrow of which he had be
come the involuntary witness.
Il perceive. madame" he said
smiling, THAT l have not succeeded il
making you share my confidence in thu
cure Of Count de Chatillon. Happil,
the moment has come to furnish yol
something better than afiirmations. Ii
five minutes your husband will see yol
as plainly as L now see you myself"
At this assurance, which so great,
aggravated her wound, Cecile raised
cry. Her sobs redoubled, she had tt
stifle them with her handkerchief.
i beg your pardon, madame" sale
the amazed physician; but in truth
do not comprehend-n
You shall comprehend, monsieur
cried the young wife. Il passionatel,
love my husband, and tbus far l an
sure he has fondly loved Inc in return
face. ~doctor-and see if when NJ. d
Chatillon shall have seen me plainl,
and distinctly as you now see me sa,
if it will still be possible for him to low
me-
The doctor lowered his eyes and di'
not answer. "Ah, madame" he fal
tered, '.do you think if l had supposed
if / had KNOWN"
..If YOU had known--Ah, doctor, thi
is an insult!' cried Cecile, with indie
nant violence. when l asked you t
treat M. de Chatillon 1 told you that
you succeeded in restoring his sight
should owe you my life. Heed well wha
l say at this moment! 1t is not the sac
rifice alone of the days which remain t
me in this world that l am willing t
make for his restoration, it is hat c
my happiness through eternity. Upo
my knees 1 implore you in the name @
all you love. give him back his sigh
doctor, give him back his sight"
The doctor was visibly affected; h
tried to console the unhappy woman
Soon, yielding to a sudden inspiration
he rushed into the adjoining chamber
and, reappearing with the cradle i
which little Bertha slept, placed it bt
fore Cecile. Then he went out again.
A minute after he came back, holdin
Count de Chatillon by the hand. his eye
still covered by Il bandage. He led hi
patient to the middle of the room, sta
toned him opposite a window. and, wit
"a hasty gesture, removed the handkel
, chief.
For the three personages now cor
cerned with our story, there was on
moment of unutterable suspense. Rot
ert, dazzled by the light, faltercd. The
) he perceived the cradle.
my daughter!!' he cried with tran'
; port. Il shall not die without havin
| seen the features of my child. But G,
IL NUIa.o =: Coa:1a1si L. ,llol -,