Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-06-24

hang heavily. Inen came lne olC
story, Love in idleness."
Hospital sisters do not cease to be
women when they take up their work
Sister May was just as susceptible tO
love as though she had been a silly
young thing of IS. though, in fact. she
was ten years older. And he? Pity
being akin to love the recipient of pity
runs double risk. Her voice was soft
and musical. her touch was soothing,
her care of him seemed first motherly.
then sisterly. and then
So il was that by easy stages they
drifted into that strange attraction
which the world calls love"
And her one fear was that some day
he might see again. The surgeon said
it was just possible and was advising
a consultation with the world famed
Professor Augenwirte of Glaefrath.
She prayed against that possibility, for
in her own eyes she was plain-nay,
ugly past redemption. Yet, though
she could moi realize it, her too large
mouth and prominent teeth, her irreg-
uIar nose and all The fancied imperfec-
tiors of her face mattered little; for
her large gray eyes were soft and full
OF animation, her skin was like vel
vet, her figure and carriage perfect.
But, wofeanlike, she could only dwell
upon her facial defects and was full of
apprehension lest some day his sight
should be restored, and, seeing her fea-
lures, he should loathe her.
Her cousin Kate, sister nurse, see
ing how things tended, chaffed her
numerically.
Now, May, l 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.. Haggerty is
right and his sight comes back. He
won't want any nursing then"
Sister May did not answer.
A week later Hamilton left the hos
pital for Graefrath full of hope The
night previous to his departure they
came to an indefinite understanding
and though she would not give an un-
qualified answer to his pleadings, she
had not the courage to stop him alto
gether. In recklessness she allowed
herself to drink in the sweets of his
passionate words; they would at any
rate be a lifelong remembrance, even
though on his return he should cast
her off,
The operation was successful beyond
his hopes, and in few weeks he was
rushing back to his love-eyes shaded,
1t is true, but with the certainty that
in short time his sight would be fully
restored.
Il want to see Miss Johnstohe," he
said to the orderly at the hospital en-
trance.
Miss Johnstone, sir2 Whichg'
"Why, the nurse"
Yes, sir: but there's two of them.D
"Well-er-she's very good looking.
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 waiting
room.
Gentleman wants me? Who can
it Then the door opened. He start
ed forward.
My love" he whispered. 81 knew
you were beautiful. have come back
to claim you"
Sister Kate drew back startled. For
the moment she could not imagine who
this man with the shade over his eyes
could be. In that moment he had
drawn her to him and was wildly
pouring out his love-
In that moment also the door again
opened, and Sister May. looking in.
saw ALL
She faltered and stepped back, the
beating Of her heart choking her for
the minute.
Stop, sir!" said Kate, regaining her
senses You must be Mr. Hamilton po
Yes" he answered, amazed, releas.
ing her
This frivolous little voice was not
that of his love. This oyerfrizzed
hair, these shallow eyes were not
beautiful at the second glance. What
had he done?
Are you not Miss JohnstoneY'
Yes. Kate Johnstone."
kate? And is your sister,
Cousin"
is she not hereF'
Yes" said Kate, with a smile.
Stay here. will fetch her"
why, May, you there?" she whis.
pered, on finding her at the threshold
and wondering if she had seen or
heard. Here is Mr.. Hamilton.
Come"
"No. never! will never see himT'
she painted between her heart beats.
Nonsense! He has come back Cd
purpose for you, and his eyes are all
right"
"Yes, and he expects to see a pretty
girl like your retorted May bitterly.
Look here, May, don't be a fool! Go
in. He is waiting"
But Hamilton had already grown in.
patient. The door opened. and he y6W
them both
Here she is.' said Kate
':Ahr' he said.
Sister May looked down, trembling.
Are you May Johnstone. my dear
nurseE he asked, his voice full Of
tenderness 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 thejr
eyes met.
eyes, thank God, l can see my love" |
Then she surrendered herself
Cleveland Herald.