The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-10-11
A DREAM OF HAPPINESS

Down the Swallowed path couple walked
slowly; they were betrothed lovers.
Behind them came two women, the mother
and the aunt of the gentle financee, so pretty
with her blue eyes, her fair face, her blonde
hair.
In low voice they spoke, evoking the pass
ing of that threshold on the morrow which
would make of their child woman, and in
remembering thus a grand emotion which
made their voices tremble
The mother of Yvonne, widow for many
years, and her sister, 'Aunt Hortense," the
most adorable of old maids, had passed
sixteen years in ecstatic devotion before the
little blonde flower, their sole love. They
had fonded, pampered, spoiled her to their
hearts desire.
All three, during these sixteen years, had
dwelt together in the pretty villa which the
child quilted on the morrow. This villa,
their universe had it not known of all their
pleasures and all their pains How could
they hope to be consoled for the absence of
Yvonne?
To the sorrow from the severing of this
loving bondage was given In compensation
JOY at knowing their Yvonne happy. She
loved and one loved her; the future appeared
without cloud. Aunt Hortense Was aroused;
she talked without intermission, and her
sister, as she was carried onward by memories,
gave an occasional reply. But 10 O'Clock
sounded this awoke her.
'sCome, my dear Yvonne," cried her aunt,
'swe must reconduct Paul to the gate, after
which to bed. 1t is necessary for you to be
fresh and rosy tomorrow
AT the entrance to the villa Paul took his
leave.
'sTo-morrow you will be my Yvonne,' said
he, embracing the young girl, "and afterward
forever"
In the distance 12 O'Clock family sounded.
Yvonne was at her window. Slumber had
fed and she preferred In this deep silence to
dream of her aspirations-of her love.
Around her all was peaceful. The leaYes
did not rustic, the flowers were closed; they
slept The little lake was like a mirror Of
silver, and the twinlzling stars appeared to
contemplate tenderly the young girl.
Her revere was SO far prolonged that the
moon had set the stars departed, one by one,
the sky palng toward the east till little by
little band of like color extended all along
the horizon. And the dawn was born.
San example," murmurred Yvonne, smil-
ing. "This is what is called watch night"
In haste she crept to bed
"Oh, this isvery bad" she added to herself,
as she shivered under the cover. "One would
say that I had veil over my face cannot
see anything; have taken cold. The air is
fresh this morning, and auntle has always
guarded me while sleeping by having the
windows closed. If she knew that had done
the contrary, she would scold not little"
And, sneezing, she fell asleep.
At O'Clock In the morning, as there was
no sound of one astir in Yvonne's room, the
two mothers decided to awaken her.
"Sluggard,. she sleeps still, +" they said, enter
ing the chamber.
At the sound the young girl stirred.
'Sluggardn' murmured she, yet sleeping.
SIS it late, auntie? I did not know it was
day."
''Not dayl' the two women exclaimed,
laughing, "and the sun so bright. Look at
'But, auntie,'' said Yvonne with pout,
open-wide her blue eyes, al do not see any
thing at all'
Madame de Courcey and her sister gave
cry OF dismay.
'sWhat, you see nothing?n
They leaned over the child, all in tremor.
Yvonne extended her arms
81 touch you feel you are here" said
she, ''but cannot see you"
"Merciful heaven, she is blind ''
The young girl raised herself suddenly;
she dilated the lids of her eyes and turned
her glances about the chamber without per
ceiving aught. In inexpressible agony she
cried
'IBlind / shall never see Paul any more p,
Oppressed, terrified, crushed, long silence
ensued. Nine. de Courcey was the first to re-
cover speech.
"How,n said she, SIS 1t possible for one to
DecOmo Dllnu All dI once Inl6 must De Dut
a temporary affliction. The doctor certainly
will quickly reassure us'
Orders were Immediately given, and SER
want hurried away for the local physician.
Meanwhile, at Yvonne's bedside the two
guardians, overwhelmed with fear, concen-
trated all their forces, all their courage, to
appear calm and keep their charge ignorant of
their terror.
They caressed her, soothed her, and nearly
persuaded themselves by the power of reas-
suring speeches that this was nothing, moth
ing at all. In an hour or two she might see
again.
The doctor came. He examined carefully
the soft blue eyes. Then he said
sit is not serious, my little friend. Some
lotions which / will quickly make will restore
your sight as clear as ever, but you must be
patient. Your cure requires some time. This
will delay little your marriage"
Yvonne seized the hands of the old man.
HYou promise me that l shall see, that
shall not always be blind P'
''Most certainly" stammered the poor man,
confused. "HaVe patience, dear; this is not
serious. 1t is a severe attack" he said in an
undertone to the two women who listened In
CONSERVATION. "The cure will be slow, diff