The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-07-11
THE BLIND LOVERS

lowlah complexion and or Nckly appear inco. One thing only was clear to thom md that was that they loved each other A hot summer day.
 The two sat on a bench In the garden chatting.
 Paul. I am SO glad Tomorrow "Yes. tomorrow the famous oculist will be here. and be will make us both see Then. at last. I shall be able 10 see yow lovely face"
 Paul" said she. laughing quietly, "how do you know that l have a loyely fpccT
 "Becsuse have seen you twice al rcady-ln a dream. You had golden haii and wings as white as snow."
 "Oh, if that were only trueV
 "It Is quite certain"
 "Wns SO beautifulT' she asked. seiz Ing him by the hand; ESQ beauufull But when I reflect, Paul, I think it would bs even better for us Co bc true Co each other than Co bc able Co sec. That would be lovely. Don't you think sop
 CT know not" Do answered thoughtful ly. and then both were silent.
 The eycntful day had passed. Tho oR eration on the eyes had been performed. II not a,l a dclusion. lt must prove Q success.
 Neither of you must take the bandage on the eyes for l4 days.' Such was the doctors order before he lcft.
 On the next evening, after tho sun had gone down. the two were again seated ln the garden. clinglng close to each other. "paul. when will we first sec each oth erY'
 'In l4 days"
 "I know: but that Is much too long Eight days would certainly bo Iona enough"
 "Lcss tlmo than that, perhaps; but we have tho doctors order"
 "I cannot endure Co walt SO long. What lf tho operation has been a failure and we have rejoiced ln yalnl What thenr He was silent
 "For an that. we could'-
 "Annaw
 "Only for a moment. dear Paul. It win vurely not be wrong
 'You win, notwithstanding
 "Only for a moment. We VIII put the bandaees on again Immediately. You nced not be at an afraid. Please, plcaseW Rather let us wait. We have suffered nnny years. Let us endure it Q few days longer"
 "No: I cannot wait. If you love nc. do lt, or win myself alone"
 He hcsltatcd awhile. but at length an. ywcrcd calmly. eve win do lt."
 "WhenT'
 Tomorrow morning early. here at tht bench"
 pointed dmeT
 "Yes."
 Good night"
 Good night. hope you will have Q good sleep"
 Morning twilight
 Paul has been long ont Of bed. He Is in dread of the next hour Anna. Of course, Ia beautiful. but he? Who knows how ugly Do may beI Perhaps he Is hand come also. but he can never appear be- fore her h this dreadful uncertainty.
 "On with the bandagcw
 He rore it loose and threw it on the ta' ble. His eyes were stlll closed. He ran Co the cupboard and searched there until hc found a small mirror. He then went Co thc window. where he seated himself and waited His heart beat violently; his head was In @ glowing heat
 Tn fcvcrish anxiety be sot there, his sightlcss eyes fixed on the httlc ginsA which hls fingers held In a firm clasp. lt must now decide bis fate. In few min' utos he would have certain knowledge. Clear daylight came.
 He felt the light, opened his eyes slow ly ond stared at the mirror, trembling all the while with torturlng expectation. No no. no! But scel What is thati Could that bo hlmsclf1 An old. pock- marked. ugly face! HeG Those pale. sunkcn cheeks: that rcd. touslcd hair; thnse dccaycd teeth. that long neckf lt could not be possible. No; it must not br.
 He closed hls eyes. leaned for out of the window. opened them wide and look cd again. His image was stlll there, m changed. Still he could not believe tt. In horror be kept on staring at Che glass until u became cloudcd. Then a vel sccmed drawn slowly over his eyes. li grew more and more indlstlnct; darkness gathered all about him. and suddenly ey' erything was black. He saw no more.
 Despair seized him. He thought be Ind become Insane He threw Che mir tor nwny, stamped with his feet and struck himself In the face. Anna would eco him. and she would be mortified. She would forsake hlm-ugly and blind-and she would go away Into the sunny world and forget him. He must remain behind helpless and alone An his happiness was gone forever.
 He sank Into Q chair and sobbed Ike little child.
 Suddenly he started up. A well known hand caresscd his head.
 "Is it you. PaulT' he heard her ask in a whisper
 "Yes." said he, breathing heavily.
 Paul. l looked for you everywhere To the garden and could not find you. Then | took of the bandagc."
 And do you see mer' cried Paul In
 CT must say that do not. No, mol It ls iust as dark as it was before. The op eration was a failure. l see nothing whatever"
 "And nothing" said Paul exultingly. q also took on the bandage and ot onct everything became quite dark
 "Now," snid Anna. with a sigh. I've must remain forever blind
 "It Is better SO" answered Paul, with hnppy heart And he tcndcrly cm' braced his poor blind friend.-Trunslatcf From the German For Washington POEt
 Hlue Stockings.
 According lo an English magazine tht
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