The Press., 1891-10-08
w. C. T. U. DEPARTMENT.
(Mrs. Kate Tannant Woods, in Union Signal.)
 A Little New England Maid.


 The summer passed, the autumn came, and winter followed, covering the hills oi Shiloh with snow, and still Philip Hale and Paul fingered across the sea. They were now in Southern Italy, where Paul worked as he could and Phil devoted him. self to music. It was his solace now as had added the mandolin and guitar. Ii is wonderful how the senses quicken by use. The music which Phil could not see became interpreted more fully through his ear. He could detect the slightest CT. TOT, and one of his favorite pastimes was improvising. To amuse him one day Paul wrote out the scores of some compo. sitions while Phil played them slowly fol him; and these were shown to some mu sicians who were charmed with them, and who became much interested in the blind American and his friend.
 So the days and weeks flew by, unti the second year of their absence was near. ly spent. The letters which reached Glenridge were always full of interest but also disappointing; no reply came to the numerous questions concerning Phil's eyes. He had composed piece of music which he rendered by special request be- fore many eminent people, and when the applause burst forth and was repeated again and again, Phil stood before the audience and bowed his thanks. Paul mentioned all this, but did not add that the musician did not see one face in all the assembly.
 Phil had forbidden him to say one word. With bravery born of despair he de- clared that hope should not.die for the home circle while life lasted. Sometimes, when Paul went away to sketch, thinking his friend was asleep, Phil would grope his way to the piano and pour out his soul in song or harmony. All the ocu- lists counseled patience; and Phil was the embodiment of that virtue; for months he had not seen one ray of light it might be for years, and it might be for ever. To him the dearest hours in his life were those when the home letters came. Paul read them, and the fond brother and son knew them by heart, and not once made a mistake as to dates. His little postscripts were faithfully sent and interpreted, and in return Maida wrote every event of the home life.
 A new joy had come to the family at Glenridge with the advent of Bessie's ba. by daughter. Maida's description of il and her account of Bessie's brooding de light, sent Phil to the piano to compose g lullaby which he sent to Maida, never dreaming that 1t would reach beyond the family circle. Fame comes when leas, expected. So it came to Philip. The little song of love and gratitude was taker by Maida to well-known publisher, who saw it's merits at once, and gave 1t to the world. Phil heard it's praises in his dis tant home. Now it was sung by weary mother as she rocked her babe at night now by prima donna to catch the ear o an audience, and again and again by those who never knew that it was composed by blind young medical student to please his sister as she held her first-born in he1 arms.
 A capricious public chose to make i fashionable, and Maida rejoiced when ; large check was sent her for the absen darling who could not see it, but would evermore feel that he was not an idler il this busy world. Paul was also favored for patient toll and endurance will surel, bring forth a harvest, however slow tn, growth may be. One of his pictures hat received honorable mention, and his bes work had not yet begun.
 The two years passed and the young men were coming home. Maida was in tensely anxious; the flower postscript had told her story unknown to the rest and again and again she arranged the lit tie cottage for Phils comfort.
 MT. Hale went to New York to mee ridge the news of their safe arrival. H' said nothing of his own sadness when h, saw how Phil leaned upon his friend an' was guided everywhere. Paul, who ob served the fathers look of pain, whisper ed: "The oculists all agreed that it mus be worse before it could be better; let u. still hope"
 They went back to the dear old homo as fast as steam could take them, ant there, around the new invalid couch, mad, comfortable by men of science, they gath cred with ''the Blessed" smiling upol them all, and uttering words of cheer, al though she, too, was heartsore when sh' saw that her boy was blind.
 It was touching to hear Phil relating their experiences, and saying, "I say this," or "when I saw that" while eacl one knew that he had only seen througl Paul's eyes. As soon as Phil was vel rested, Maida took him away to her littl' nest, where they talked like lovers of thu past and the future. Paul came there also, after he had made his father ant Nancy happy, past all speech, for Pau we'll knew that his companion could no spare him until others had learned to un derstand his needs.
 "What do you call this charming spot ? asked Paul, after he had guided Phil int every nook and corner.
 ''It was here that your father told me, said Maida, ''and named it 'Consecra tion Cottage;' it is Phips now, and h. may re-christen it if he likes.'' a ~ ''Thank you," said Paul. Why h, thanked her Maida did not quite know. In few days Phil could go about botl houses quite alone. It was wonderful t, see how we'll he managed to care for him self
 Some two weeks after our travellers re turn the entire family were invited dow to the Burchmore farm, which, thanks t L.. SAVED HER LIFE.-I was taken sicl | .,os.