The San Francisco call., 1904-06-05

Copyright, 1904, by Otho B. Senga)
~ r. THORNTON, a successful
specialist in serious ocular dis
eases, was puzzling over most
unusual case in which he felt
baffed and dismayed. He wrote to the
celebrated oculist, DR.. Forrest, describ-
ing the case, and asking for advice.
The learned doctor approved the
younger physicians diagnosis and
made many valuable suggestions, urg-
ing months preliminary treatment to
prepare the nervous system for the
shock that would inevitably follow.
His letter closed: But my dear
Thornton, don't delude yourself or your
patient After infancy there isn't one
chance in a million. Still, the fluid ap-
plication, though painful, cannot harm
and there may be miracle. success
would be a miracle. and you must pre-
pare yourself and the patient for fall
ure."
thornton felt bound to read this to
Miss LangdOn. She was 23 or "a, ana
had been blind since early childhood.
Her face paled, but she spoke brave
ly. Even the millionth chance
worth trying. Failure brings notnlng
Il
Miss Langdon and her young brother
Philip lived alone, except for the SER
wants. in the great, gloomy mansion on
the ancient Langdon estate, and dur
ing the month of probation" as ina
liza laughingly termed it, Thornton was
a frequent caller.
From their first meeting thornton
had felt the charm of Thalia's pres
ence. She had none Of the pathetic
. nensiveness that is so often the accom-
paniment of blindness. She was WIN
somely bright and CHEEKY, and her VIII
was like flashing steel.
After the necessary explanations
were made the approaching experiment
was not mentioned until the day came
for the first trial. The application OF
the fluid used in the eyes was IKE
pouring hot oil into an open wound,
but ThaIia made no sound nor uttered
a word Of protest.
AS he bandaged the eyes Dr: Tnorn-
4on said pityingly, This must be oorne
twice more, Miss Langdon. WIZ your
courage hold outT'
'It will be as nothing II / can only
see," she whispered.
She was trembling violently, and
Thornton was conscious OF sudden
tunnult Of emotions such as he never
before had experienced.
Before this he had thought solely OF
the fame he would win by success In
case 40 unusual. Now the thought OF
what the girl must endure was torture
to him, and worse than that was the
wretched uncertainty Of the result. She
was no longer case" She was the
"one woman" He knew 1t!
when this Is over" he resolved, Il
will tell her-if succeed"
When the bandages were removed
week later and the eyes submitted to
-
saw there was no apparent change.
Thalia did not speak, but the unuttered
question of her eager face and tense
listening attitude struck sharp pang
through his heart.
You know" he said gently, that 1
can give you no assurance until re-
move the bandage after the third ap-
plication."
TT is only two weeks more" she
sighed. II can wait"
When the day came for the final test
II was the man who was unnerved and
pale. The girl to whom that day would
bring the glorious boon OF sight or the
doom to hopeless darkness seemed en-
dowed with high, calm courage, that
would have won the respect Of SOL
der.
When the eyes were free she neither
moved nor spoke, nor gave sign OF
any consciousness OF change. With
laws set close and hard, lest he betray
the awful fear that made him weak
and faint, Thornton adjusted the test
ing instrumental quick second of sick
ening suspense-then he laid 1t aside,
and for a while neither spoke.
IT have failed. Miss Langdon," he
said at last-"failed."
His voice was quite calm, but IT was
the calmness of despair.
Still Thalia did not speak.