The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1886-07-02

the doctors hand
The doctor raised my eyellds,
and almost simultaneously two
sharp pricks, two punctures By a
keen blade, drew from me cry OF
anguish. A bandage was placed
over my eyes and all was over until
tomorrow.
The next evening small taper
was lighted ia the room. Rose
placed herself in trout OF mes the
doctor was near by, and several
other people we're around. AT last
the baudage was lifted from my
eyes, aud imagine my delight, my
delirious happiness finding my
sight restored, | saw many people
around me, and | felt should
recognize Bose at the first glance.
A voice who familiar sound made
me start seemed TO answer my
thought.
"Frederick,n said the countess,
"after God, who has protected you,
YOU must thank DR.. Muldrott, who
has restored you.0
Why should | thank the doctors
He might have restored me, out II
was Rose who really saved me. MY
first glance belonged to Rose Oy
right. and wished by it to express
the gratitude Of my eyes to their
savior. But what a fearful surprise
aud dlsappoint! Rose, SO charm,
ing. SO beloved, looked faded and
wrinkled, looked 80 years of age.
confess | almost tainted with vex-
alton as | knelt at her feet.
/ willingly covered my eyes and
became blind again at the doctors
, orders. In the depths of my heart
| found the portrait had imagined
of the woman l loved, and all the
, illusions of my dream.
/. Every evening they accustomed
me by degrees to the candle-llght'
then lamp replaced the candle,
! and [ waited impatiently for the
!, day when / might face the sun
4 shine.
5 1t was strange thing, but every
t evening, when looking at her close
, ly. | seemed to discover under the
-. old age of ny protectress some
grace that was not old, some charm
{ Ing smile, some glance that was
almost coquettish, some graces
+. that love had left behind when
yonth departed.
| Every evening they increased
!. the iighl, and every evening Roses
noble countenanCe looked younger
. aud more charming. A still voice
in my heart seemed TO say "An'
; other magic delay, few more
Flushing touches to this ever chang
= ing portrait, and the metamorpho
sis will be complete, and the coun
!. tess of fifty will disappear forever
and my Rose of twenty-five Will
y return p
Il AT last the doctor gave me per
It mission TO enjoy the sunshine
). When | returned home after
?. delightful walk in the open air
S approached Rose, who was slttlni
| alone, probably expecting me, AM
n as seated myself by her side cas-
il down nv eyes, fearing to look a
her, and yet | louged as much Il
|. feared to see her once more.
"Frederick," said the Countess
4, edo you remember an amusiut
SCENE which occurred between u
N in a travelling carriagei You wer'
blind, and for that very reaso
ID anxious to see the face OF you
s. guide is it not true EHeryOn
10 desires the impossible"
ID al remember it, and apologiz
TO for nv boldness aud curiosity"
r. 81 forgive you. IL was not cas-
for a blind man to see woman
, face. But do yon remember ho'
Q, YOU eudeayored to guess what
It. was likeT
nd "I remember well.'
n. "You said to me, with singuia
rs persistency Il know you hav
IT. seen you.' You repeated trequen
Is ly: Rose you have black han
IN large, blue eyes, rosy lips, and
TO smiling mouth. l admire you
~ beauty"
ed "I did admire you, madame"
n, "Now, my poor Frederick, VIVA
IS has become of your admiration
The blind nan saw darkly, but Il
as man with good eyes sees clearl
m. Now, look at me again"
th ooh, Rose,o exclaimed, thro'
nm ino myself at her feet, t'there is
ne God who protects blind men! Nc
ed that l can see aud recognize yo
ic. | find all that l admired und'
as stand that you did for my hea
~. what the doctor did for my eye
ed as he protects them from the lig
OF till perfectly restored, so you b
the brilliancy Of your great beau
an. till my love could bear it.'
ed Now YOU know the whole story
wO nv misfortune, my marriage a
,he nv happiness, aud the secret OF O
'ly, preference ia charity is explain'
led You know the mystery oil the al
ley which Rose and l give to the DIN
ere memory bestows our gifts w
!. gratitude raises our hearts
a heaven.
NIL