Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1902-12-19
EYES TO
khe..
BLIND
By HOWARD FIELDING
Copyright, 1903. by
Charles ". HOoke
By HOWARD FIELDING

"HE Lady Helena took the little
Bible out of the box and sur
veyed it with a gaze that saw
FL far more than the quaint old
volume.
ut is atrocious," she whispered,
that | should not have known il was
here"
Upon that book she had made two
vows, the first quite ordinary, the sec
ond most unusual. even unique. Re
fore God and her earthly sovereign, the
king, she had made both the vows, the
first in the presence of many, when an
archbishop held that copy of the word
and Helena became Sir Frederick KEN
ble's wife; the second with but two to
hear and but one TO see the solemn
promise sealed upon the book. Three
years lay between the vows - three
years of happiness and one of great
sorrow.
IF | did not trust you fully" the
king had said to her upon the occasion
of the second promise, Sir Frederick's
misfortune would mark the end of his
most highly valued service unless, in
deed, his sight should be restored, as |
devoutly hope. 1t is without precedent
that man lacking eyes of his own
should be cabinet minister. But you
shall be his eyes. Swear to me upon
this book, which you especially revere
and in the presence of that King before
whom | am M moro tbon tho iuSt tn
which my body shall return, that you
will faithfully sustain this duty, divulg-
ing nothing of all that you shall see.
adding nothing thereto emitting not
one word therefrom, as your husband
shall command you to read"
And Helena had knelt to heaven and
the king and had kissed the book with
all sincerity, her husband kissing her
most affectionately as she arose.
1t was not an occasion likely to slip
ones mind, this secret, solemn ceremo-
NAL. Helena marveled that she could
have forgotten where the old Bible had
been put away, yet she had come upon
it quite by chance.
Il wish it We're more to me-" she
thought. Il have no effective religion.
Let me be frank with myself An oath
means nothing to me. What will the
world do when all shall be as | am?
Truly believe that there is need Of
something sacred"
The sound of chords came softly into
the room. Eunice Sir Frederick's sis
for was playiuu Ipon n littla nina pr
gan, church organ in miniature and
of very sweet tone, that had been
built into her apartments.
"She believes everything without pos
sibility of question:" said Helena. Had
she been sworn as | was her wish to do
right would have been backed by all
the terrors of the infinite. Would the
public business be safer if she Were
Frederick's eyes? Upon my soul, l
think il would be. Yet she is not so
honest as | am. | would not trust her
unsworn. Frederick has too much
sense of honor. 1t exhausted the sup
ply of the family. However, that is
not the point. If | were like her, l
should have Il refuge and IA fortress. |
should not now be verging toward
deadly peril"
She took up the Bible again, held it
in her two hands and counterfeited rev.
erence until she felt some touch of the
reality. The fancy came to her that
the book should be in the official work
shop, and thus she was reminded that
her husband must already be awaiting
her there, having dismissed his doctors.
In the east corridor below she en-
countered Eunice, who greeted her