The Saint Paul globe., 1905-03-26

hnRS. JOHN HARLOCKER, of Cleve-
lMI land is absolutely sure of her hus
uua bands love, for he married her in
spite of the fact she suddenly became to-
tally blind four months before their we'd
ding day The wedding took place as
planned in spite of the opposition of Har-
lockers parents and friends and against
the urgent advice of his employers. His
betrothed herself in the first three months
of the darkness of night that had come
into her life refused steadfastly to con-
sent to the marriage, and only yielded at
last when she became convinced in the
depths of her own heart that her refusal
would blight the life. of the man she loved.
So earnestly did the young woman wish
to spare her betrothed from what she in
sisted was the sacrifice of his entire life,
that when two weeks ago she gave re-
luctant consent to the wedding. she in
sisted that he should avail himself of the
right to draw back even at the altar itself.
Even if we are all in the church, John
dear" she said, land the minister is half
way through the ceremony, you must say
mo- if at the last moment you decide you
cannot make this great sacrifice; and
will turn away from my happiness and
love you just the Same-Just much.
And John Harlocker only smiled-a
smile that the blind girl at his side could
only feel as she passed her white fingers
caressingly over his face.
It's not a sacrifice, Leeta," he said, in
reply. Before this blindness came to you
1 needed you and you needed me. Now
need you just as much I ever did;
and you need me all the more, we will
say no more about it,
All her remonstrances ended the same
way. John Harlocker refused to give up
his betrothed.
His mother, selfish only in her love for
him. begged him to give up his purpose to
marry his blind sweetheart
The day came and the wedding party
assembled. The blind bride, lovely even
in her blindness, stood beside the man she
loved and heard the minister speak the
words that made her the wife of the man
who had refused to give her up She told
him afterwards that If she had felt the
slightest reluctant tremor in the hand
that clasped hers-if she had detected
even the suspicion Of hesitancy in his
voice-she would even at that last final
moment have broken away from him and
refused to go on with the ceremony. But
the clasp of John Harlocker's hand was
firm and his voice rang clear and true
and she was his wife, for better or for
worse.
From the Altar to Happiness
After the wedding John Harlocker gave
his bride the first proof of the tender care
he intended to bestow upon her during ali
the sfghtless days of her life. She knew
he had prepared home for them, but at
his request had asked him no questions.
Together they drove in a carriage to the
home in waiting. The carriage rolled over
smooth pavementS and through a little
park. AS the wheels rung across q little
stone bridge and then left the macadam
road and turned into a stretch of brick
paved streets, the bride, who had been
chatting, with the arm of her big husband
around her, suddenly became silent and
seemed to be listening for familiar sounds.
Ihe carriage crossed a railway track and
street car passed by with a peculiar
Whirring sound, skirting the broad curve
on the edge of the park. The bride turn
ed her sightless eyes to her husbands.
John, o, John, you
She stopped to listen again. The car
r1age drove through a shaded street and
stopped at gate.
John, john" she cried, excitedly- "it's
home-my old home. knew it the mo-
ment we crossed the bridge and 1 heard
the street car whirr along the edge of
John?"
Yes, dear" said John Harlocker. "it's
your old home and your new home for
you Shall live there until you are tired of
1t and me-"
That was John Harlocker's surprise for
his bride, and it revealed the whole of the
romance that had Joined them together
1t was strange romance for modern
workaday world-and there have been few
like it outside of cheap novels and cheaper
theaters.
Fifteen years ago James Anderson, the
brides father, was a merchant in Cleve-
land. He was not particularly wealthy
but he was well to do. He had purchased
piece of ground in the suburbs of Cleve-