Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-01-28


eft of the chance"
"But perhaps he will not care to I'M
dertalSe any professional duties on
pleasure trip, Mrs. Evesham hazarded.
'He is an old friend of mine. " Mr.. Hard
castle said, simply, and will manage
all that. The only thing that troubles
me is how to bring about an interview
without arousing hopes in Arundel's
mind which may never be fulfilled"
Suppose you invited him here to
spend the day and asked Mr.. Arundel
to meet him." Wanda suggested.
spoken like a sphinx, young lady.
That shall be our plan"
So the great man came and the blind
man sat beside him at the dinner table.
Il think, Hardcastle, might venture
on an examination, DIR. jacobson
whispered to his host as they repaired
to the sitting-room.
And the examination was made, and
the oculist said that if George Arundel
was placed under his immediate care
for the next few months after his re-
turn to New York he felt justified in
promising him, at any rate, partial
restoration of vision.
Then you may be sure there was
great rejoicing at the Evesham cottage.
The most composed among them was
George Arundel, who bore his congrat-
ulations with a quiet gratitude that
was irresistibly touching.
Then. when the great man was gone,
nothing must do but Mr.. Hardcastle
himself must bear the tidings to William
Bladon.
He found that worthy as usual, in
dulging in his evening smoke in the
orchard. For the last few days there
had been a marked GOODNESS between
these fine old fellows. OF course,
Bladon had treated his young masters
friend with marked respect, but they
had evidently avoided each other.
Mr.. Hardcastle's face was beaming
with qualification.
"Bladon, F" he said cheerily, II called
you the other day a cross-grained old
sinner, and don't take back the ex-
preston, but know how attached you
are TO Mr.. Arundel, and l couldn't help
coming TO tell you some grand and glori.
Gus news"
"Of Master George, sire"
Eyes, of Master George"
Bladon looked by no means elated.
81 suppose thee TT going to say, sir,
as the bonnie young lady has let her
self be persuaded to wear gold ring
ON her pretty finger
II was not going to say any such
thing. you obstinate old reprobate. In
deed I'd good mind not to tell You any
thing at all about it for your perver-
sity."
Then Bladon's eyes twinkled. "Ah, "
he chuclSled, II see what thee meanest.
Good news o. Master Harry Why.
thou'st come TO tell me that this other
lass. Miss Kate, is bespoke, an that she
can't be, after all, nothing more nor a
sister TO him"
Mr.. Hardcastle did not lose his
patience, but simply turned on Bladon
and said:
"What would you say, man, If told
you that George Arundel was going to
regain the use OF his eyes?"
Il should say that thou vert max
ing game of me"
'But it is true" Mr.. Hardeastle cried
excitedly. ''0hl 1t is truel Jacobson,
the great oculist, has seen him, and
pronounced his blindness durable"
Then in a torrent of joyful words he
poured forth the whole story into the
ears of the wondering old servant.
When he had finished Bladon's eyes
were full of tears and his chest heaved !
with suppressed emotion.
s'Now thank the Lord for His mercy"
were all the words he could utter.
When the excitement had somewhat |
subsidized. Mr.. Hardcastle continued:
"You must bring Mr. Arundel to my
house in Brooklyn. II it is possible
shall persuade the ladies to come, too;
for our hopes lie in keeping the patient
in cheerful frame of mind; and am
convinced that their presence win tend
largely to his recovery"
Bladon frowned lie did not dare
speak, realizing as he did the debt I
obligation he owed this grand old man.
Thus it befell that Mr.. Hardcastle re
turned home with the promise that in
couple of weeks Mr.. Arundel and his
faithful servant would follow him and
make their home under his hospitable
roof.
Then the genial old gentleman wrote
to each of the ladies inploring them to
sacrifice their summer happiness to
George Arundel's interest and be
guests of his until the result of the oper-
alton was known.
"Of course we will go" Wanda cried
with flashing eyes.
I'VE might be of service to poor Mr..
Arundel, Kate confessed with blush
ing checks.
Mrs. Evesham hesitated. She did not
think it was quite proper to invade a
bachelors residence in this matter
"Oh, mamma" Kate laughed: ITO
even hint at such thing at his time of
life"
Really, Kate, you speak of Mr.. Hard
,astle as if he was a patriarch am
n, g,s IN hear him tall x-,,, o,,st. forrraf