The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1904-10-21
T 4as and lntelllsepcsr
GEL AIR, Md, OCT. 2t. 1904.

To him. amt. verse tnill mat. WIS the
wretchcd uncertainty of the rC%uiJ. She
WAS no longer IL ''c:l%c.' Size WAS the
"onc wonI;n' He knew L;
When this is over" he resolved, Il
will teIl her if | succeed
When tie banla@cS were removed Il
week later and tie eyes submitted To
the required test his heart sank. for he
saw there WAS no apparent change.
Thalia did not speak. but The unutler-
ed question of her eager face and tcnSe
listening attitl:dc struck Il sharp pan"
through his heart.
You know" he said gently, that
can give you no ASSURANCE until re-
move the Dun,laGc after the third APP
plicltion.
1t is only two weeks more she
sighed. Il can wait"
When the day came for i'll" 1ilai
test il waS the man who was unnefNed
and pale The girl IL whom that day
would bring the glorious boon OF sight
or the doom to hopeless darkness seem
cd endowed with Il high. calm courage
that would have Won The respect of Il
soldier.
When the eye; were free she Neither
moved nor spoke nor gave Il sign ol
any consciousness of change. W It'll
laws set close and hard. lest he betrAy
the awful fear that made him weak
and faint. Thornton adjusted the test
ing instrument. \ quick second oi
sickeuin- suspense. then he laid it
aside. and for awhile neither spoke.
Il have failed. Mis-; L&ngdon," he
said at laSt-"failcd!'
His voice was quite calm, but it wa:'
the calmne:;$ OF despair.
Still Thalia did not speak.
He sank into Il chair and gaZed de-
spairingly upon the exquisite face. Was
it fancy. Il trick of his orerwrou%ht
nerves. this clear light of love and ten
derness that shone in the beautiful
eyes and touched the tremulous lips
with gladness:
"Thalia," he cried. springing TO his
feet. you can see. You see me now.
Tell me that you do! l cannot believe
that you do not see my face as your
eyes meet mime
The brave lips quivered as she an
swered slowly and sadly: No. DIR.
Thornton, l cannot see. 1t is all just
as it was before-night, black mint
Thornton groaned aloud.
There is 10 hope. thes. now or ever.
have failed-I have failed
The utter hopeIeSSneSS of his despair
ing cry bore to Thalia'S heart Il bitter
ness deeper than her own sorrow. SHE
rose from her seat as if she would 20
to him.
do not grieve 80" the sweet voice
said gently. Il do not mind 50 very
much, and no one need know that you
have failetl-no one need know that
you tried
Don't Thalia." lie cried hoarSely,
you make me deSpiSe myself
Then. ut the sight of TIE pathetic
figure and the thought Of the brave
split that stroyc IL forget It's own
hurt and to comfort him, the love he
had meant To offer with success rose
above the barrier of failure. and he
came quickly to her side.
.'Thalia." he whispered. will you
let me take care of you always: Will
you he my wife. Thalia:"
Her slight form trcmblcd un,.cr the
tender touch of his hand. but she did
not speak Instead she put her deli
cate, sensitive fingers up TO his face
and touched him gently on the eyes
and chin and mouth. Thornton knew
that she WAS reading his face with he"
fingers. as her eyes might have read it
had sight been given her. and lie held
himself in firm control. fearing he
might brighten ner with his agony OF
love and longing.
The sweet flush faded from Ter face.
she pushed him gently from her and
turned away, saying coldly. You ask
impossihilitieS. DR. Thornton"
She called softly for Philip. and in
obedience la her in,DaSsioncd gesture
her brother led her from the room.
1T is all over dear Philip" she said
in response To his anxious question
ing. Il shall never see. oh, don't
Philip, | don't mind. There are worse
things than blindness.
She sank YEARLY upon Il couch, say
ing To herself bitterly, Il would rather
my eyes were blind than 10 lac So
blind i'm the heart Did he think Il
woman would he content with pity"
Philip turned impctuouSly 10 the
inner room. He could not believe
that success had been Withheld. that
all hope was gone. How could DIR.
Thornton But the hot reproaches Of
his heart died upon his lips at the sight
of the doctor. sitting with bowed
shoulders his face buried in his hands.
Great, noisrleSs soils shook his frame.
but he raised his head and tried 10
smile as he said. Don't mind me. Phil
ip, and go away. please. You cannot
understand"
But Philip did understand.
you've killed him. ITALIA" he cried
tragically rushing to his sisters side.
You might have known he couldn't
help loving YOU.
No, Philip" said Thalia sadly. he
only pitirS me because | am blind ard
because he cannot hell, me-
go in there now. Thalia," pleaded
Philip passionately. and You will
know. lie seems like Il man who has
been stabbed. and - his DEATH
His words and voice carried convic-
ton. Thalia rJSc.
will you take me to him, Philip:
Thornton felt IL gentle touch on his
shoulder, and Thala stood beside him.
her beautiful face TRANSPORTED with
love ami gladncsiS. The eyes of the
soul had been opened. even though
physical vision were still denied.
Il thought it WIS because you pi:iCd
me" she said softly. and | did not
want pity. | wantcd''- She stopped
and whispered word in his ear. and
John Thornton took her in hi; arms,