Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-10-27

shrunk from too full view, even of
that shaded illumination. This was
precaution which had never occurred
to me in any dreams of restored sight.
With care and caution l looked. The
shaded light of lamp fell upon
small table, and upon the form of a
woman standing near it.
made a slight movement in extend
ing my field of observation, and, sure
enough, the figure moved, as if in re-
Spouse.
':Are you awaken" asked a soft voice,
the voice which had already learned
to know as that of Mary Fortescue.
''Is that Miss Fortescue?" l asked.
Eyes. Can I do anything for youP''
''What time is it?' was my next ques-
ton.
''Nearly half-past nine"
"How long have I been here?'
had no notion of the lapse of time.
1t might have been days since I set out
on my eventful journey; it proved to be
only hours.
"You came this afternoon she
said. "How do you feelp"
confused
1T was TERRIBLE" she said, ''that
flash of lightning"
lit stunned mo" -
eyes; we thought you were killed. -
felt.a momentary impulse to con-
TESS all that believed owed to that
shock; but a fear of finding myself de-
ceived after all, and natural secret
iveness, intensified by years of lonely
sef-communing, restrained me.
''Would you like anythingP" she
asked.
mot now, thank you. Is this my
roomp How did I come here2'
''Hardy and the gardener brought
+ you here: but you were quite uncon-
scious. Hardy will wait on you for
the present." she added. He is rath-
or rough, but think he will be careful.
You mustn't talk much" she said,
rather in the tone of nurse to a child.
Il will send you some supper, and we
can talk tomorrow if you are better"
felt very loath to be left alone, and
reluctant to be consigned TO the care
of Hardy. l believed directly that he
would prove to be the man who had
conducted me from the lodge gates up
to the house. And so it proved. For
while I lay, musing, still in a sort of
trance, on my position, and the WON
derful possibilities that seemed to be
opening to me, I heard q heavy step,
and q man entered the room. l tested
my powers of vision again, and again
was not disappointed. Very indis-
tinctly, but still Enthusiastically, per-
ceived the figure of man who seemed
to carry something.
lis that HardyP'' asked.
Eyes, SIR" said the gruf voice
which had greeted my first arrival at
the lodge. GIVE brought you some
you have itP''
Isat up, and Hardy, with more skill
and kindness than l was prepared to
give him credit for, helped me to dis
pose comfortably of some light refresh
ments.s tsE : } =.
There was q certain hardness in the
way he looked after me. which was
strangely at variance with the gruf-
ness of his voice and demeanor, as
exemplified out of doors at my arrival;
and though l felt sort of repugnance
to him Of the instructive sort, was
conscious that I might have fallen in
to the hands Of q very much less SER
viceable valet.
4 He was not given to conversation,
which quite suited me, and having
made all snug for the night, and df
rected me as to the bearings of an
electric bell if I wished to summon him
at any time, he turned the light out
and departed. In spite of the strange
ness of my position, and the citation OF
the awakened hopes of discovery. I
soon slept, and slept soundly. :s
The morning brought me 3 greater
Joy than it often falls to the lot Of man
to experience. Lying half awake, tho
dominant thought of last night began
to take shape, and to give color to
my dreams; then, having lost myself
in Inconsistencies awhile, / struggled
to grasp what the JOY was which haunt
cd me. Iawoko fully, at last, with
start I.opened my eyes. TWAS truel
The widest Of the. joyful dreams was
true! had gained my sight! Ny
vision was SUI dim and clouded. but
Twas no longer IN darkness. I saw
tho blessed light Nf day through tho.
Wind" blinds r" ta' shapes 8