Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1900-05-11

Q" pie had place d
them in blind asylum years before.
There they were brought up.
AS children they had played together,
and were contented and happy. The
pleasures of the world were as strong
to them as its daily miseries. They
knew that quiet, comfortable house,
it's large garden-and nothing more.
There they belonged. They could
know nothing of what was going on
outside. One thing only was clear to
them and that was--that they loved
- other.
"A hot summer day.
The two sat on bench in the gar
en chatting.
paul, 1 am so glad"
con what account, Anna?'
"Ahl Don't you know? To-mor-
row---"
eyes. Tomorrow the famous ocu
list will be here
"And he will make us both see"
| "If he is really able to accomplish
that"
"You are joking. OF course, he
will be able to do it. That is his busl-
ness"
: 'Then, at last, shall be able to
see your lovely face. OF that I am
glad"
"And of nothing else?"
Nothing"
paul" said she, laughing quietly,
chow do you know that have a lively
face?".
Because I have seen you twice
already-in dream. You had golden
hair and wings as white as snow" :.
ooh! if that were only true!"
ut is quite certain"
"Was L so beautiful" she asked,
Selling him by the hand: $50 beauti-
full? But when reflect, Paul, think
it would be even better for us to be
true to each other than to be able to
see. That would be lovely. Don't
you think so?"
"Iknow not" ne answered thought
fully; and then both were silent.
The eventful day had passed. The
operation on the eyes had feen per
formed. If not all delusion, it must
prove success.
"Neither of you must take the band
age off the eyes for fourteen days."
Such was the doctors order before lie
left.
On the next evening, after the sun
had gone down, the Two were again
seated in the garden, clinging close
to each other.
"Paul, when will we first see each
other?"
"In fourteen days."
~ know, but that is much too long
Eight days would certainly be long
enough
'Iess time than that, perhaps; but
we have the doctors order"
'I cannot endure to wait so long.
What if the operation has been a
failure, and we have rejoiced in vain
What then?"
He was silent.
''For all that, we could"
"Anna!"
''Only for moment, dear Paul. 1t
will surely not be wrong"
"You will, Notwithstanding"
"Only for moment. We will put
the bandages on again Immediately.
You need not be at all afraid. Please,
pleased"
Rather let us wait We have suf-
fered many years Let us endure it
few days longer.
"No, L cannot wait. If you love
me, do it, or I will myself alone.
He hesitated awhile, but at length
answered calmly: "We will do it,"
"When?"
Tomorrow morning early-here
at this bench"
Thanks. You will come at the
appointed time?"
Yes"
"Good night"
"Good night hope you will have
good sleep"
Morning twilight.
= Paul has been long out of bed. lie
il in dread OF the next hour. Anna,
of course, is beautiful, but he? Who
knows how ugly he may be? Perhaps
he is handsome also, but he can never
appear before her in this dreadful un-
certainty. -.sg.,
"Off with the bandage!"
Flo tore it loose and threw it on the
table. His eyes were still closed. He
ran 10 the cupboard and searched
there until he found n small mirror.
He then went to the window, where
he seated himself and waited. Ills