Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1894-05-03
SISTER MARION.

clally II 1t be woman. She Woul'
kill her lover with her own hanc
rather than see him happy with an
other woman.
The man in the corner by the fr'
dictated these words slowly and care
fully; and the girl at the table wrote
them down. Then there was a silence
and the girl looked across at the MAJ
expectantly.
"Is it getting dark" he asked, after
a few minutes
For Lewis Darlington had beer
blind for nearly six months. That
was why he had engaged Marion
Norman as his secretary.
Eyes, I can scarcely see, answered
the girl. Shall light the lamp"
"No, I am tired" answered Car
rington. Let us stop now and talk.
Marion put together the sheets in
their proper order, tidied up the table
and came over to the fire, by which
she stood, leaning against the mantel-
piece and watching her companion.
She was no older than Darlington,
thirty-fve or thereabouts; but she
looked older than he did. A woman
who has lived her life out Of the sun
shine-which is love-fades early. For
the sunshine is good, even though it
scorch at times.
as that true, do you Think" asked
Darlington, lifting his head.
Marion blushed a little, and then
she remembered that the eyes that
met her own could see nothing.
as what true?'
THAT sentence about love and sell
fshness. Men know so little OF
women"
Marion Norman sat down in chair
by the fire and leaned her chin upon
her hand as she watched Darlington
Il hardly know" she replied,
slowly. 81 hope not l think-no.
Indeed, I am sure of it.
"How do you know?' asked Car
rington, quickly. "Ah! forgive Inc.
I should not have asked that"
In their four months daily COM
panionship, begun as matter Of busi-
ness, they had grown into the habit Of
talking over many things together
and Marion looked forward to the ten
minutes or so between the close of
work and her departure as the pleas
ATTEST time of the day She turned
her eyes from Carrington's face to the
fire.
"Yes, have had my romance she
replied. And then she told him the
story. 1t was a poor, feeble little
romance, dead almost before it was
born, ten years ago, when Marion was
a nurse at the London Hospital. Mere
ly young doctor who was poor, few
flowers and a note, which Marion still
kept in her workbox, though she did
not tell Darlington that Some girls
would scarcely have noticed it at the
time, and would have forgotten all
about it in fortnight. But Marion
cherished its memory, for it stood be-
tween her and the certainty that she
had never found favor in the eyes of
man.
"You know l lost more than my
sight when my eyes went, said Car
rington, after a pause. THAT is why
| am 50 anxious about the operation
next week.
"Yes? You mean
Il was just engaged. And her peo-
pie would not let her marry blind
man. They were quite right-weren't It
they"
"And she?"
"She cried and obeyed her people. "
"IfI had been She" Marion be-
gan quickly.
"Wen?"
Nothing. Only I never had any
people" "
"You were a nurse once, Miss Nor
man, were you not?" said Darlington
presently.
"Yes. Yet it is still strange to hear
myself called Miss Norman l was
Sister Marion until year ago. But
my health broke down and l had to
give it up"
Would you mind very much going
back to it for time-a week or so?
"Ahl You would like me to-?
Il must have nurse, and l would
rather have someone l know"
His hand went out in the vague way
peculiar to the blind Marion met it
and held it moment in her own.
II will come she said quietly.