St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1894-02-17
BERNARD BlGsBY.
AUTHOR OF
+" Loyal at Last" "The Colonel
of the FOURTH" ami Other
Excellent Novels.

II see," said the girl. obediertly,
'the broad river stretching like lake
of liquid silver for miles and miles.
green as emerald where the shadow of
the island falls on it. There are white
caps on the waves, which glitter like
snow tossed in sunshine. A low wood.
land lies on the other shore, dotted
with white cottages; woman is hang
ing out clothes in front of one of the
little houses, while her children are
padding in the water"
And the man in the boat?"
''He is there yet, fishing. He has just
hooked pickerel nearly a yard long.
Now he has got it into the boat"
II see it all!' the young man cried.
enthusiastically. 81 see it all, Wanda,
with your eyes!"
II am glad to be SO useful to you,
George" the girl replied, with look of
ineffable tenderness.
"And, when you are gone, all will be
dark again. How selfishly happy
have been in your society"
'IIush!" she said. lyon must not
speak like this. You will have Kate
and"
but Kate is not Wanda!"
There was world of meaning in his
words, and the girls eyes filed with
tears she could not repress.
''It seems but the other day." he coz
tinued, fretfully, that good old Bladon
brought me to Glastonbury. The physi-
clan had said that change Of scene
would do me good-fancy change Of
scene for blind man, Wanda--and
cared not where went, for all places
were the same to me. Bat the smell of
the pines was pleasant, and | felt the
presence of the river Little did think
that there was in store for me such
year Of happiness rs have enjoyed.
What a lucky day it was for me when
Harry Evesham found me laundering
along in my poor, helpless way right in
front OF O runaway horse and took me
to his home. Then how generously
Mrs. Eyesham received me into her
family circle. and Imet you, Wandai"
"Yes, yes!" the girl srid, hurriedly;
but he could not see the quivering of
her lip nor the deep crimson of her
blush. ''Alone as you were in the
world, it must have been a pleasant ex-
perience for you"
'Ah, you may well say so. never
knew how sweet a one till now. But
let us not waste words, Wanda, for this
may be the last chance may enjoy for
months of speaking with you alone.
You and are similarly situated waits
and strays in the world"
Then he added with sad smile: "You
have given me the priceless blessing Of
sisters love-alas, with my affection,
dare not ask for more"
"a sisters love give you freely"
Then her face lit up with a smile as
she said: you promised to tell me
about yourself, George. Now, be
good boy and crafty my curiosity"
well, sister mine," he said. II viii
give You my autobiography. I cannot
say in the orthodox manner of story
tellers that was born of poor but re-
spectacle parents for am afraid mine
were unromantically well to do. The
early past is yelled in much obscurity.
have dim recollection OF happy
AShiS aSAooo GhC SCsts III u t1u1C WESA
could see all the beautiful things on
earth-of long illness which left me in
total darkness-of q frantic father hur-
rying me away from the place of my
birth-of long years of restless travel-
ard-that is all, Wanda"
but, your father?"
'Ah, he was the dearest, kindest man
who ever breathed the breath of life"
did he never speak to you Of your
Never = on the contrary he forbade /
any allusion to It. For years he hur-
ried me from place to place with rest
less persisteucy, always accompanied |
by old William Bladon, who seemed to |
be more a trusted friend than servant to |
him."
What object could he have in lead
ing such nomad Efe?" saE
THAT is more than can tell you. As
| got older fancied he was flying from
some terrible trouble - he seemed in
such constant dread OF recognition or
pursuit"
'How strange!"
WAS it not? Well, the climax came
at last. Just year ago we reached Chi
cago from the far west. was tired
with travel, and my dear father was
anxious about my health, for no woman
could have been tenderer in her solici-
tude than he was of me. One day we
were walking down State state, he, in
gayer mood than usual. describing to
me the stores and the sights. Suddenly
felt his grasp tighten on my arm and
! thrill OF emotion shake his frame-you
zee we blind are very sensitive, Wanda
then. o groan escaped his lips, |
Knew he was suffering from some great
shock. Father, what is it?' said.
Then heard q woman's voice quite
close TO u.s.. SO, we meet at last, Ar
,hur Arundel it cried in a clear, music
Il tone, which nevertheless had ring
If anger in It. but which my quick per-
,eption recognized as the voice of q
cultured woman. The next instant my
poor father fell prone on the pavement;
i crowd gathered; and he was carried
% the hotel where he died in less than
IN hour"
Without recovering consciousness"
Wanda asked, her eyes moist with tears
# sympathy.