The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-21
CHAPTER *.


Again Leo was the first to speak. As il
half doubling his senses, be whispered in
tone of almost holy awe, Love and trust;
say it again, Nell-ssy it once more, that
may never have another doubt that l am
acting for the best"
81 trust you, Leo, and love you-to the
deathl'
And as IL she feared her words but poorly
conveyed the depth of feeling in her heart,
she lifted up her hand, and, drawing down
his face to hers In her poor, blind way,
kissed him, not shyly and half fearfully,
but as If her lips pressed the holy book 10
take an oath which was inviolable.
With heart-wrung cry of gladness her
lover repaid the precious gift by caresses as
only a lover can give, such as sprang from
the well of his love, SO long imprisoned be-
meath the load Of guilt, which seemed for
abe time to have been lifted from his soul.
After a while the knowledge came back,
bringing pain and sorrow indeed. But not
quite as before. The new glad burden which
he had taken up would not suffer that 1t
was shown in bis first words.
"And now, Nell. to look our new world
in the face" He spoke thoughtlessly, but
she hid the return of her pain as brevely as
he did his own.
81 cannot do that" she faltered. but with
a brave, sweet smile, 81 shall never even see
your face"
The thought flashed across the lovers
mind as he recalled how he bad shrenk
from the sight OF his reflection In the glass,
that her blindness was perhaps In this case
hiding from her even the outward evil
denoes Of his guilt But he only said very
tenderly as he bent and softly kissed the
dropping eyeiids;
your neart for both as we'll. But already
YOU have been long In the cold and wind,
so ill-protected.n He paused, seeing for The
frs. time the true difficulties Of the situa-
ton into which they had been placed.
The girl did not nor yet understood his
silence with you am afraid Of nothing.
Tell me what will be the best for us to do.
Remember, trust entirely to you-only,h
as q sudden fear seemed to cloud her happi-
ness; don't send NE away from you, don't
send me away ever again. feel so safe
with yon. To be apart now-I feel as If
should die"
She spoke almost feverishly, and the
next moment her face told that she knew,
heedlessly, for she took his hand, and
kissed it again and again, adding, "But as
you think best, as you think best"
II fear you must have patience, then, a
little longer before l can claim you entirely.
There is so much TO be thought Of" he re-
piled, speaking calmly and simply, showing
already he was equal to the task OF caring
for her, and worthy Of the trust which she
SO frankly reposed In him. You are 80
delicate flower l must not rob you of
what shelter you have, lest any Ill may
chance. until at least have some plan"
She thanked him for his tenderness by q
word IF only had some money"
Have you nones" she asked, 20, Leo
(he had told her only his Christian name)
and you gave me this lovely rose last night
whicn must have cost 30 much"
She drew from her bosom a faded rose,
and since its fragrance was gone, touched it
gently .tenderly seeing" it with her fingers.
II did not know then for what more
precious purpose | could have kept it. Ii
was very sweet TO me. Nell dear, even to
buy so poor gift for you, but now l have
not enough to dare to claim you. l could
sleep in the streets, and willingly, but you,
dear, you-good heavensl no " helpless l am
indeed"
the great change which had come over him
in the few short moments of the meeting.
He. who but so lately had only longed to be
hidden, from all mankind In some dark cor
ner, to be forgotten, and to live out his life
as quickly as he could, now for the sake of
this poor child whom he loved, who was
more helpless apd stricken than himself,
rose erect once more to face the world,
ready to do battle for her sake. to bear her
burden along with his own, to win for her
the safety aud happiness which he know
could never Toe his
Little Nell was by no means less noble
ard unselfish in her love.
'tDon't grieve, Leo-tor nay sakel am
stronger and drawer than you think, now
that you are with me. We must earn the
money. you and4 togstheri" she said, hope
fully.
Il would earn IL willingly" he replied,
s'but howg"
Her face fell and for a moment she was
silent, olinging only TO his hand with clasp
which gave confidence as well as spoke Of a
need Of support.
There Is one thing" she said at length.
IN q low voice and speaking quickly. You
can't do it because you are q man but can,
and if you will let me l will. l am blind
my face is white-and look only like q
child-so perhaps IL will not be q shame for
me-to beg. ! shouldn't be very much
afraid, and il they were very hard-hearted
aud would not give me money, would go
down on my knees aud pray TO them to
help me because /" she faltered, then
The hard word came out at last but low,
telling how much even in words her affllc-
ton was terrible to her.
Her only answer was fierce crushing to
the breast of her lover, a rain OF hot thank
full kisses on her face, which, while they
denied her her half fearful wish told her
how dear her love was TO the poor bruised
heart.
"If l only had my eyes for Just a little
while" she said, softly, II wouldn't stay
even TO see all the good things l have lost
30 long. / would work, as 1 know how.
All! Leo, you see how terrible tie this
blindness Is already.
Forget it, darling, as l do and always
Will, but never forget that you have prom
ised to trust as we'll as love me. There Is
one way for us-one man who can help US
II be wlll-one who has been a friend to me
SO far, although somehow | mistrust him"
ut was unlucky that be had missed having
so good grouud for his mistrust, when,
In that his care for the girl he had not
needed her tormentor sufficiently to recog-
nlze hlm). 81 have lived 50 far on his
bounty, and yet never shrank from it so
much as now. But if it is to save US, to save
ycu-n
Leo was interrupted Ia his none too pleas
ant train Of thought by cry of delight
from little Nell.
II can do something after all l am not
quite oeggar. See: | bring this as a
oowry to my husband"
And she drew from her neck a cord. 10
which was attached a ruby ring.
Amongst the many things of horrible
wonder which had happened on the night