The Forrest City times., 1894-08-31

pcOple.
 You were nurse once, Miss Nor man, were you not?" said Darlington presently.
 .'Yes. It is still strange to hear my self called Miss Norman. 1 was Sister Marion until a year ago. But my health broke down and 1 had to give itup."
 Would you mind very much going back to it for time-a week or SOP"
 'Ahl You would like me to-?"
 .'l must have a nurse, and would rather have some one know"
 His hand went out in the vague way peculiar to the blind. Marion met it and held it a moment in her own.
 ''I will come." she said, quietly.
 Marion rose to go.
 And when-when it is all over, you with laugh that only just escaped being a sigh.
 Say, rather, when it is all over I shall be able to see you" said Caring ton. You remember. though we have grown to know one another so we'll, I have never seen you"
 There was small pier glass over the mantelpiece, and Marion was face to face with her own reflection. She had known all her life that she was plain. But now, in the light of new hope that had dawned in the past month, she appeared plainer and more com monplace than ever.
 If he never saw me, perhaps" The thought had forced itself more than once into her mind, but she had beaten it back and prayed that Lewis Darlington might see again.
 Marion went her way home and climbed mp three flights of stairs to her room. It looked dark and cold almost as cold as the streets outside. where the sleet was falling. She lit the gas stove and made herself cup of tea. Then she looked out at the nurses clothes which she used to wear. The aprons wanted stitch here and there. This occupied her for some time. By eight o'clock all was fin ished. The sleet was still beating against the window. Even if she had had anywhere to go, she could not have gone. But it was having no- where to go that made her feel so lonely. There was nothing to do but sit still and think. Marion was gen orally too busy for this, but tonight she could not help thinking little bitterly of the loveless life she led. And then she fell to wondering what that other one was like. Of course she was pretty. There was a photograph of girl upon Carrington's mantel- piece. with Nora Thurston" scrawled across the foot Doubtless that was she.
 "Oh, if might be just little beau tiful, just for a little while." she sighed to herself. Then, rcfecting that the wish was absurd, she mad her supper-a couple of biscuits and 8 glass of milk-and went to bed.
 There are two kinds of women those who offer sacrifice and those who demand it. The latter must have some thing to lean upon; the former must have some one to support, somebodyto feed or fondle or convert. It may be husband it may be a curate or cat or a cannibal. Now. Marion Norman was one of those women who long vaguely for some one for whose sake they shall have a right to sacrifice themselves.
 fortnight had passed, and the op- eration was over. For some days Lewis Darlington had lain upon his sofa in a darkened room with bapdage across his eyes and a terrible dread at his heart. He was waiting for the remov- al of the bandage to know whether he was to see or be blind for the rest of his life Marion had been with him all the time, waiting upon him and reading to him. She had not been so happy fer years, for Lewis Darlington depended entirely upon her. Every day she had been downstairs to answer the inquiries of fair-haired girl. It was the girl whose photograph stood upon the mantelpiece. Every day she had been able to tell her that Lewis was going on we'll, and that there was every hope that he would see as soon as his eyes were strong enough to bear the light.
 The evening otloiS tii0 o'J oA "AiSh the question was to be decided, Car rington was restless and nervous. Ma rion read aloud to him to keep his thoughts from the morrow. But she saw hIs fingers twitch upon the arm of his chair and knew of what he was thinking. At 10 o'clock she insisted on his going to bed. But for more than an hour Marion, who was listen ing by his half-open door, heard him tossing from side to side. She had de- cided to give him soothing draught when his brea. thing became more regu- =. 1oe. ea+sfad dn,yp into fha