The Press., 1891-09-10

checks, and Phil, dear, two years won't be so very, Very long, after all. Why, if this possible sorrow, always only just pos sible to me, should come, you will come back to us and we will be the happy Hale family; and will be your eyes," So they cheered each other until they reached the Calcott home. Bessie, little dreaming of their sad er- rand, came flying out to greet them. She was less patient than Maida had been when Phil's story was told. Weak and gentle people seldom rise to grand heights as readily as buoyant and hopeful ones. A gentle zephyr may soothe one, but it is your high, strong wind that clears the atmosphere.
 Bessie uttered her rebellious words in hot haste; she could not believe that this thing could come to one of her own, and that one her idolized brother. MT. Cal colt also declined to accept the doctors statements, and denounced all medical men in general, and oculists in particular, as imposters. Both husband and wife grew less earnest when Phil nearly fell over 8 chair and was seen to grope about quietly before he sat down. Outlines were growing more and more indistinct to him.
 Phil was very glad when 1t was all over and he was once more driving home with Maida by his side. He had been disap- pointed in Bessie and was unwilling to own It.
 "You see, the dear thing cannot bear 1t yet" said Maida. "Poor Bessie, it is such blow to her, she did not have time to reflect"
 Phil was silent. After they had driven some miles on the homeward journey he ventured to speak.
 NMy dear, you are model travelling companion, you respect mans moods. The way Bessie and Calcott took the mat ter made it rather trying for me. You see should be a coward to complain, when hundreds of poor fellows are so much more miserable than myself. Ihave outgrown my rebellion, and I am trying l to bear it like man and Christian" f'You do, Phil, indeed you do; you make me think every day of the poet Stoddard's words:
 "'Men can be great when great occa- sions call.'"
 ''Women, too," said Phil; "they give up with less readiness than men, and they are braver, more enduring. We see that every day in the 'Blessed's' case, and have seen it in hundreds of cases in the hospital"
 "Some day." said Maida, as she urged on her horse, five will both look back and feel that this threatened blindness made us all dearer to each other, and more considerate; for already, as mamma says, 1t has made our Phil, "'In tenderness, child A strong man in the right"
 It was nearly dark when they reached Glenridge, and Paul showed his fitness for care e-taking by coming out and helping Phil into the house. Two days later MT. Hale and the young men left for New York.
 Mrs. Hale insisted that Maida should go with her father, for the mothers eyes had detected pitiful lassitude under the l assumed elasticity and cheerfulness of | her daughter.
 Bessie and MT. Calcott came over to Glenridge to remain few days, but the young wife found her former duties light with three of the household away. l When thS good ship "Pavonia" went
 out of port, Naida clung to her ~iatheS,S,
 arm with onS hand, while shcr waved and
 waved, until fhs iasr moment, the large,
 white handkerchief which Phil had given her at parting.
 ''I could not sec small one, dear, and although shall miss your sweet face, shall know that you are smiling, as long as the white speck is visible. | ITO be continued.l .