The San Francisco call., 1904-06-05
DOCTOR THORNTON.S
FAILURE
By Otho B. Senga

He sank into a chair, and gazed de-
spairingly upon the exquisite face
Was 1t fancy, a trick OF his over
wrought nerves-this clear light or love
and tenderness that shone in the beau
tiful eyes and touched the tremulous
lips with gladness?
"Thalia," he cried, springtng to his
feet, you can see! You see me now.
Tell me that you DO cannot be-
Iieve that you do not see my face as
your eyes meet mfneH
The brave lips quivered, az She an
swered slowly and sadly, mo, Doctor
Thornton, I cannot see. 1t Is all just
as it was before-night, black night"
Thornton groaned aloud.
There Is no hope then, now or
ever 1 have failed-I have failedi"
The utter hopelessness OF his despair
ing cry bore to Thalia's heart bitter
ness deeper than her own sorrow. She
rose from her seat as II she would go
to him.
said gently, 'I do not mind 50 very
much. And no one need know that
you have failed-no one need know
that you tried"
Don't, Thalia," he cried hoarsely,
"you make me despise myself"
Then, at the sight Of the pathetic
figure, and the thought OF the brave
spirit that strove to forget It's own
hurt and to comfort him, tho 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-alwaysf
VIII you be my wife, ThaIia?''
Her slight form trembled under tho
tender touch OF his hand, but she did
not speak Instead, she put her deli
A. e.
and touched him gently on the eyes
and chin and mouth. Thornton knew
that she was reading his face with her
fingers, as her eyes might have read
1t had sight been given her, and he
held himself In firm control, fearing
he might frighten her with his agony
of love and longing.
The sweet flush faded from her face.
she pushed him gently from her. and
turned away. saying coldly, You ask
impossibilities, Doctor Thornton"
She called softly for Philip, and In
obedience to her tmpassioned gesture
her brother led her from the room
1T il all over, dear Philip she said
In response to his anxious questioning.
II shall never see. Oh. don't, Philip
don't mind. There are worse things
than blindnessi"
She sank wearily upon q couch, say
ing to herself bitterly. Il would rather
my eyes were blind than to be 50 blind
In the heart. Did he think q woman
would be content with pity7"
Philip turned impetuously to the In
ner room. He could not believe that
success had been withheld. that all
hope was gone. How could DR.. Thorn.
ton-but the hot reproaches OF his
heart died upon his lips at the sight Of
the doctor, sitting with bowed should
ers, his face buried IN his hands. Great,
noiseIess sobs shook his frame, but he
raised his head and tried to smile as
he said. Don't mind me. Philip; and
go away, please. You cannot under
stand"
But Philip did understand.
You've killed him, Thalia," he cried
tragically, rushing to his sisters side.
You might have known he couldn't
help loving youi"
mo. Philip" said Thalia. sadly. "he
only pities me because I am blind and
because he cannot help me"
go In there now, Thalia," pleaded
Philip, passionately. "and you viii
know. He seems like a man who has
been stabbed. and to his deathi"
His words and voice carried convic-
tton. Thaha rose.
''Will you take me back to him,
Philip"
Thornton felt gentle touch on his
shoulder, and Thalia stood beside him.
her beautiful face transhgured with
love and gladness- The eyes OF the soul
had been opened, even though physical
vision were still denied.
Il thought it was because you pitied
me-" she said softly. "and I aid not
want pity. / wanted She stopped
and whispered a word IN his ear, and
John Thornton took her IN his arms.
with a heart too full for aught save ST.
lence.