Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1904-04-25
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL.

! bandaged eyes as the nurse ell
tered The month that he had been
there had not served to change the
habit of sight fixed by all the years
that had gone before.
ITS for tonight, isn't 1t. Miss Lee"
he cried. recognizing her step: TO
night I'll get rid of these COMPOUNDED
bandages and see the light Of day
once more. Oh. you don't know how
this month has dragged. It's for to-
night. isn't it,"
Il believe So said the nurse,
gently. But. Of course. the doctor
will have TO decide. He'll be here
SOON.
Cad! How glad III he to see once
more cried the man. II never could
have stood it even for a month if it
hadn't been for you. You've been an
angel to me-"
The nurse blushed softly and cast
very tender look ut the man. She an
swered merrily: 'All the nurses here
would have been the same. Nine pa
tlents ont of ten think we are angels
while they are in the hospital. They
change their minds afterward.'
Il never shall. DO you know. after
all. despite all the pain and the anx-
iety. am glad this thing happened:"
"Why:'
because ii has enabled me to know
you. Oh of course, ! have known
you to speak to for months. and by
sight for years. but that isn't knowing
how tender. how sweet. how long suf
fering you could he. O., Miss Lee
Gertrude"
FLUSH. The doctor said you must
keep cool. YOU know Excitement
might injure your eyes"
The man sank back In his chair.
True" he said. slowly. 81 forgot
that haven't any right to speak now;
forget that the result of this opera
ton isn't absolutely certain and that
may he hlind-gOod God. blind
and that. In amy ease. | must mend
my fortunes before There. is that
the doctor comlng:"
The nurse glanced out of the open
door into the hall. YES" she said:
hes Just down the corridor a ways.
You're not going back to- your old posi-
tIon right away. are you. Mr.. Scott?
You oughtn't 10 try your eyes for
year or so, You know
IL suppose not. But needs must,
you know, when n certain gentleman
drives. I'll he dead broke when get
ont OF here, and I'll have to go to
work. All. There's the Doctor
The doctor entered and stood for a
few moments talking to the man.
YES" he said. at last. well take the
bamdages off tonight. | think"
THANK God. And-and there's no
doubt that everything will he all right.
Is there. d0ctor:''
Wen hope for the best" returned
the doctor. rheerily. his tone II VERY
comfort in itself. although his words
were not especially So He PASSED ont
of the door hurriedly. preventing fur
thor questions and beckonin" to the
nurse rs he did So 10 follow him. A
few steps down the corridor he halted
Nurse" he said. with Il worried look
on his face do You know whether
your patient has any relatives near
by"
I'm sure he has not" answered the
girl. readily. "Ivr talked with him
repeatedly and learned all about him.
He doesn't seem to have Il relative in
the world"
The doctors face grew graver How
is he OFF for money!"
lie Just told me- that he would be
dead broke when he got ont of here
He said he must at once 20 back to
work"
Back to work at once. He'll be
lucky if he ever gets to work again"
The nurse grew white. "Why!' she
gasped. II thought the operation was
II certainty"
"A certainty. Yes. it is certainty
almost-but in the wrong direction.
There isn't one chance in a hundred
that he'll ever see again"
With a mighty effort the nurse mas
tered her emotion. But. Doctor" she
=, gasped. what will become of him.
Become of him." echoed the doctor,
irritably. Become of him: What be-
comes of blind men who have no
friends and no money! Well keep him
as long as we can. and then | suppose
he'll have to 90 to the poorhouse for
the rest of his life
A flush of anger succeeded the pallor