The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-09-22

her face mattered little; Tor he4 large
gray ewes were soft and full Of ANNA
ton, her skin was like yeHet, her figure
and carriage perfect. But, -ycnanlike
she could only dwell upon ler facial
defects, and was full of apprehension
lest some day his sight should be re-
stored, and, seeing her features, he
should loathe her.
Her cousin Kate, sister nurse, see
ing how things tended, chaffed her un-
mercifully.
"Now, May, I thought you had long
ago sacrificed your life to nursing; and
yet the first good-looking young lieu
tenant"
'He will always want nursing, Kate"
she faltered, in excuse.
"Ah! but suppose DR.. I.aggerty is
right, and his sight comes back; he
won't want any nursing them"
Sister May did not answer.
A week later Hamilton left the hos
pital for Graefrath, full of he =. The
night previous to his der ,-ture they
came to an indefinite un.ers ling,
and though she would not gil. l.n-
qualified answer to his pleadings, she
had not the courage to stop him a'-n-
gether. In recklessness sh allow I'd
herself to drink in the swec.s of his
passionate words; they would cny
rate be lifelong remembrance, even
though on his return he should cast her
off.
The operation was succ ssful beyond
his hopes, and in a few ,..~ks he wa
rushing back to his lvve-e..-es shaded,
it is true, but with the certainty that in
short time his sight wou'l be fully
restored.
II want to see Miss Johnstone," he
said to the orderly at the hospital en-
| trance.
miss tombstone, sir? Which.
why, the nurse"
"Yes, sir; but there's two. of tl.e:n."
"Well-er-she's very good locking.
I did not know there were two" ~
"Oh, yes, sir; there's two. But |
know the one you mean now"
And he was shown into the ..aiting-
room. 49,
Gentleman wants me? Who can
it, Then the door opened. He start
ed forward. .
my love!" he whispered. II knew
you were beautiful. i have cc-l back
to claim YOU" >.e~-.
Sister Kate drew back, startled. For
the moment she could not imagine who
this man with the shade over + C.
could be. In that moment :. had
drawn her to him, and was wilf y pour
ing out his love. -
In that moment also the door aga.n
opened, and Sister May, looking in,
saw all. ~~r~
She faltered and stepped back, the
beating of her heart choking her for
the minute.
stop, sir!" said Kate, regaining =.
senses. You must be Mr.. Hamilton"
EYES," he answered, amazed, reieas-
ing her.
This frivolous little voice was not
that of his love. This over-frizzled hair,
these shallow eyes were not beautiful
at the second glance. What had he
done?
"Are you not Miss Johnstone?"
Eyes. Kate tombstone"
kate? And is your sister"
Cousin"
| us she not here?"
| "Yes," said Kate, with smile. "Stay
here. will fetch her."
"Why, May, you there?" she whis-
pered, on finding her at the threshol, !.
and wondering if she had seen or heGs =.
| Here is Mr.. Hamilton. Comet"
mo, never! / will never see him!"
she painted between her heart bea.
| NONSENSE! He has come back en-
purpose for you, and his eyes are all
right"
Eyes, and he expects to see Pr tty
girl like you'll" retorted May, bitterly.
Look here, May, don't be fool! Go
in; he is waiting"
But Hamilton had already grown i'm
patient. The door opened, and he saw
them both.
Here she is" said Kate.
"Ah!" he said.
Sister May looked down, trembling.
"Are you May tombstone, my dear
nurse?" he asked, his voice full of ten
derness and love.
Yes" she whispered.
Kate had disappeared; they were
alone.
my darling, have come for you,'' he
said.
"But-you can see now?"
She looked up recklessly, and their
eyes met.
Yes, thank God; can see my love!''
Then she surrendered herself.-C Chi
noo 1rsxr,