The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1904-09-14

"Pm sure he has not" answered the
girl readilys 1--WE talked with him re-
peatedly and learned, all about him.
He doesn't seem to have a relative In
the world
The doctors face grew graver. How
is la of for money r.
'sHe just told me that he would be
dead broke when he got out OF here.
He said he must at once go back to
work" e - e s9h3sta.s 3sss q
.sBackI to work at once! He'll be
lucky If he ever gets to work again."
r The nurse grew white. ''WhyT she
gasped. II thought the operation was
a certainty 4fsat
"a certainty! Yes, it is certainty
almost, but In the wrong direction.
There isn't one chance in hundred
that he'll ever see again"
With mighty effort the nurse mas
tered her emotion. But, Doctor" she
gasped, what will become OF himT
Become of himY' 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 sup
pose he'll have to go to the pOOrhouse
for the rest OF hfs life"
A flush of anger Succeeded the pal
lor of Miss Lees face. 'Why have you
deceived himr' she demanded indig-
nantly, with utter disregard of the re-
quirements of discipline. HE is sure
that he will get well. He is building
on it absolutely II he Doesn't
The doctor looked curiously at the
girl. Then a sense Of comprehension
came over him. He sighed. He was
an old man, but not a callOus one. IF
you want him to see again, Miss Lee"
he said, ''be sure to keep him thinking
So In that lies his one chance. Keep
him cheerful at all hazards. and posi-
bly, /:
The doctor turned away, and the
nurse slowly retraced her steps to
Scott's room. She had known Henry
Scott for year or more and had liked
and admired him from the first. In
the month that they had been thrown
together by the accident that had
forced Scott to enter the hospital this
feeling had grown to something stron-
ger than liking. For some days she had
known what he would say as soon as
he could see again and had known
what. she would say in answer 10
common with the rest of the world
around her. she had never doubted
that all would be well with his sight.
Now came this blow. e. s.
Never to see again! To go to the
poorhouse and there drag out his days!
Never! He shall not! He shall not!
But what could she des Too we'll
she knew Scott's spirit to suppose that
he would accept anything from he1;
that he would ever say the words SHE
longed to hear-the words that would
give her the right to care for him-un-
less his sight was restored. She must
get that right before the bandages
were removed She must lead him en-
to speak. But, no! What good would
that do? II he were to be really blind,
she knew he would repudiate the bar
gain. .--.#
She must marry him that very day,
before the bandages were removed. ,.
Her heart stood still at the thought.
All that was womanly In her revolted.
But then the poorhouse! All. she
would be so proud to work for him. to
care for him! She had no one depend
ent on her, and she earned enough to
maintain them both. She must do it!
There was no other way.
Her thoughts had Travelled like light
ming. Ia the few steps between the
doctor and the door of SCOTS room
she had Thought it all out. Steadily
she entered and went close to him.
what was 1t you were saying mo-
ment age. Mr.. ScottY she asked softly.
"Saying?" The. man was puzzled fof
the instant. -ft s4sx
about met"
"Ohr with instant comprehension.
"Oh, Gertrude, do you really wan: 90
hear itT He CROPPED for her b md,
caught, it and drew her to him. Seer
trude. it isn't right for me to speak
yet, but must-I must. Oh, darling,
I love you SO! love you 50! Do you
love me?"
The girl bowed her head on his
breast "Yes, yes" she sobbed, more
than anything else in the wOrldw
THANK God" The man grasped the
bandages around his head and reck-
lessly tore them of. 81 must see your
he cried Il must see you! Oh, Ger
trude, how beautiful you arey'
But the nurse flung up her hands in
horror and strove to cover his eyes.
"Oh, oh, oh!' she, walled. Don't!
You'll ruin your last chancew
But the man clasped her wrists and
held her from him. I see you! l see
your he cried
Neither noticed the doctor standing
at the door, but at the last words he
advanced into the room. "You see, do
your he asked. @ fasa Jsa4 r. -z.s
II dor I:
The nurse turned with clasped hands,
doctors! DoctorY she cried. lis 1t a
success? Will he see?" a III.
why, of course he will!' answered
that gentleman briskly. 1.-THE opera
ton has evidently been an entire suct
cess" 1919 s.sfiEasts la ..sHt,:. safs
The Lessen OF Epfctetus.
IF we cannot be; happy" says Sir
John Lubbock. ..the fault is generally
in ourselves. Epictetus was a poor