The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-06-06

able to see. That would be lovely Don't
you think SO z"
Il know not" he answered, thoughtfully;
and then both were silent.
The eventful day had passed. The opera
ton on the eyes had been performed. If not
all deusion, it must prove a success.
Neither of you must take the bandage
off the eyes for IA days." Such was the doc
tors order before he 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 IA days"
81 know, but that is much too long. Eight
days would certainly be long enough"
LESS time than that, perhaps; but we
have the doctors order"
II cannot endure to wait so long. Whai
if the operation has been a failure, and we
have rejoiced in vain! What them? -
For all that, we could" ...
"Anna" ,..s,-' c'!s' ....s.a
80 "Only for a 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
d nOI Dc ~ ali afraid TIedse, please!
Rather let us wait. We have suffered
many years. Let US endure it few days
/ longer" 49,. So 80 .2.{1le;f -'E
No, l cannot wait. If you love me, do it,
or l will myself alone"
He hesitated awhile, but at length an.
swered calmly: 1--WE will do it."
when r. .,its an l,rGlt. r,- 49,
Tomorrow morning early-here at this
bench"
Thanks. You will come at the appointed
time"
Eyes"
Goodnight"
Goodnight. I hope you will have good
sleep"
Morning twilight
Paul has been long out of bed. He is 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 uncertainty
"Of with the bandage!"
He tore it loose and threw it on the table
His eyes were still closed. He ran to the
cupboard and searched there until he found
a small mirror. He then went to the win.
dow, where he seated himself and waited.
His heart beat violently; his head was in
glowing heat.
In feverish anxiety he sat there, his sight
less eyes fixed on the little glass, which his
fingers held in firm clasp. It must now
decide his fate. In few minutes he would
have certain knowledge
Clear daylight came.
He felt the light, opened his eyes slowly
and stared at the mirror, trembling all the
IL, ~
no! But see! What is that? Could that be
himself? An old, peck marked, ugly facet
He? Those pale, sunken cheeks, that red
touseled hair, those decayed teeth, that long
neck! 1t could not be possible, No; it must
not be!
He closed his eyes, leaned far out of the
window, opened them wide and looked
again. His image was still there, unchanged
Still he would not believe it, In horror he
kept on staring at the glass until it became
clouded. Then vail seemed drawn slowly
over his eyes. 1t grew more and more in
distinct; darkness gathered all about him,
and suddenly everything was black He saw
no more.
Despair seized him. He thought he had
become insane. He threw the mirror away,
stamped with his feet and struck himself
in the face. Anna would see him. and she
would be Mortified. She would forsake him
ugly and blind-and she would go away
into the sunny world and forget him He
must remain behind, helpless and alone.
All the happiness was gone forever.
He sank into chair and sobbed like lit
tle child.
Suddenly he started up. A wellknown
hand carressed his head.
"Is it you, Paul?" he heard her ask in
whisper.
Eyes" said he, breathing heavily.
Paul, looked for you everywhere in the
garden and could not find you Then took
off the bAndage."
"And do you see me9" cried Paul, in dead |
iy alarm.
II must say that do not No, no. II is
just dark as il was before. The operation |
was failure. / see nothing whatever"
"And l nothing" said Paul, exuhingly. |
II also took off the bandage, at once every |
thing became quite dark"
Now" said Anna, with sigh, I'VE must |
remain forever blind"
TT is better So" answered Paul, with a
happy heart; and he tenderly embraced his
Door blind friend.