The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-01-11


1t is mportant-immedlate.
Il shall tell him." \ door at the left
was opened. "You will wait here, if you
please"
Carnlvert entered the room indicated.
1t was one of the ordinary formal apart
ments to be found on the main floor Of
every hospital. A girl at a small table
In one corner was manipulating q type
writer, AT sound of intruding footsteps
she rose, gathered her papers together
and turned to leave the room. Attracted
by something in her form, her motion,
Eustace Carnvert glanced at her in sharp
Interrogation.
Margaret" He sprang forward, with
quick. low cry. Margaret, Margaret"
The papers fell from her hands. She
stiffened, stood before him rigid, stone
still
"AIargaret"' he said again and could
utter no other word
''Hushn' she said. striving to withdraw
her hands from his fierce grasp. Don't
you notice-cant you The speech was
wrung from her. broken, painfully.
'Oh yes." he cried. My dear, nv
poor, dear girl" He leaned forward, his
eyes full of passionate pity, fixed full
upon hers. How long has it been So
how long?"
81 only learned it the day you gave me
back my betrotha pledge" The long
dashed lids dropped over the sightless
orbs. That was why | did not protest.
/ was trying to get up courage when YOU
came to do what you did"
'And have come back from the Old
world to find you. You were not using a
typewriter?"
Eyes. have one with raised letters
especially constructed for the blind Hen
ry GriScom got me position here. 1t
is light and easy. ! am able to do many
things. DR.. Griscom has been kind to
me-"
lie has not been kind to mer' vehe-
mently. He said he did not know where
you were!'
Il made him promise that when
knew you were returning. Somehow |
felt-l have always felt-you were coming
back. But now you must go away again.
You must forget me. | will not let my
blindness be a burden and q barrier to
you"
You are thinner. paler than of old.
Margaret, but sweeter-for your sadness
to me!'
81 have suffered" she said simply
''Now go!"
Instead he put firm. professional fingers
on her eyelds-forced her to let him look
long and steadily A sound like sob
still joyful sound. broke from him.
Il can cure you, Margaret" His voice
was hoarSe with eXultation Thank
God for that. | can cure your'
just then DIR. Griscom came in. Car
nivert gave his message. The men went
away.
Fate brought you together after ALL
Griscom said. You do not blame me?"
"1ou could not break your word. but
should not have given such a promise"
How could I tell you loved her still
after all these years."
81 thought you were my friend. The
intuition of a friend is definite as divine
DO you think it is in my nature to love
lightly-to forget?'
81 know it is not | ask your pardon. "
Here we are at the house | shall
wait to hear how the dear little lad s.''
Griscom took the stairs three at a
time. "Betterr' he cried, coming down,
radiant. AT least he is in no danger
His mother was unnecessarily alarmed.
1t is only tonsilitis. He will be about
in few days"
That is fine! Now must be selfish
for few minutes. Come into the libra
ary." There he turned and faced his
comrade. Harry" he said Il can cure
Margaretn'
"Eustace" cried Griscom Are you
sure? For Gods sake. don't deceive
yourself
81 have examined her eyes. | am posi-
tive. The operation will be similar to
that which brought me the success had
fought so long to VIM
The weeks that followed were weeks
of eager hope, of confident anticipation.
of rapturous conviction. Doubt despair
these had no place in the sanguine mind
of the great ocuist.
1t came-the all eventful day. Then
there was the enforced period of seclu.
sion. of waiting. But when the hour ar
rived when Carnivert was to remove the
bandages from the long unsecing eyes of
Margaret Chester his hand trembled for
the first time.
Look! he commanded in straininG
whisper. Look. beloved Her voice
rang out, thrilling those who heard. Il
can see. ] can see. Eustace, Eustace"
oh, the ecstasy of that cry! 81 can see
you"
Then he had caught her in his arms
Her head was on his shoulder. her happy
face crushed against his breast
"Old fellow" Griscom said reverently.
there is something must tell you now
After that parting between you and Mar
garet she transferred to you all the prop
erty she personally possessed. 1t was Il
legacy to her from an aunt. That is the
money which you spoke of as having
come TO you mysteriously Her lawyers
were hound to silence. Without that
gift of exquisite generosity you could
never have gone abroad, studied. fulfilled
your dreams of success, attained Your
present eIninence!
"Nor given Margaret back her sight"
Dr. Griscoin's wife said softly.
Margaret was smiling through joyful
tears. Anc her lover. in silence more
eloquent than any speech, looked down
upon her.-St. Louis Republic.
History of the COfTee Tree.la
Mr. IL. Witte, well known horticul-