The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1905-09-28
The Making Of Molly.
l-7l7II

schoolfellows pnvied, but could 1o
copy, and distributing her fayors Will
q charming grace of manner. the H.
herltance of long line OF refined an
cestors.
Her face, though not her only for
tune, was good half of 1t, with It's
soft plnk-and-white complexion, its
glorious azure blue eyes, its frame of
silky. golden hair. The only thing that
marred the otherwise perfect face was
the look of conscious superiority. al
most of conceit, that Molly habtuaily
wore. She was the only child OF her
parents pretty, spoiled darling
petted and worshlped from her cradle.
She was Miss DevereuX, of Laburnam
Terrace. and Molly's blue eyes shonc,
and her crimson lips pursed themselves
into lines of proud content us She
thought OF her position, her beauty,
and all that went to make up the sum
of her existence. The past had been
bOuntiful-the present was cloud'ess-
The future lay before her, an unopened
book: what might ii not hold for her:
And yet:
"Alasl that spring should vanish with the
rose!
That youths sweet.sccnted manuscript
should c,ose,"
Ii was upon her nineteenth birthday
that the shadow began 10 fall. Molly.
who, all the summer had been work
ing hard with the pleasing result of
coming out ahead of 200 girls at school.
many of whom were older than her.
self, suddenly showed signs Of droop-
ing. The lovely blue eyes lost their
lustrous look, the pristine CLINT of her
golden hair faded, lines appeared round
her pretty mouth.
Molly's mother looked frightened.
Darling" she said, caressingly,
"you are tlred-you are feeling the hot
weather"
81 think l am, mother, dear" re-
sponded Molly, in a voice she strove
hard to brighten. II shall be all right
when the cooler days come"
The next moment she was lying in a
huddled heap on the floor!
That was the beginning of many sim
liar attacks. Moly's heart had given
out under the heat and strain. and she
lay, week after week, helpless and
painting, in her little white bed, her
head in a whlri, her lips babbllng over
childish things long since consigned to
the past.
But there came day when the wan
derings ceased-a day when there was
silence in the sick room, when, after
rambling for weeks the voice was no
more heard, and Molly lay still and
quiet, a shadow of her former self,
with two big. lack lustre eyes staring
up at the white ceiling.
Molly" cried Mrs. Devereux. 1t
was early morning, and she had
slipped into the pretty room, as was
her wont every day on rising.
The girl turned her head IN the d.
r,ction of the voice.
Mother she said. wondering!y.
"why have you come in the middle OF
the night? am all right darling"
at is morning, Molly" answered
Mrs. Devereux, STOPPING to kiss the
pale cheek on the pillow. Darling
the sun is shining"
Morning? The Gun shining:' echoed
Molly, springlng up in bed, a dawning
horror on he face. "Mother-mother.
where are you? 1t is quite, quite dark!
I can't see you. Light the gas, let
me -mother-strlkea match quick
"; can see nothing but dense black
ness"
Mrs. Devereux fell upon her knees
by the bedside. With trembling hands
she lighted a candle, held it to Molly's
lovely blue eyes-they never flnched.
oh, heavens! was it true? Was Molly
in utter darkness-blind?
Her cries brought the nurse and her
husband-and they sent for the doctor.
Alas naught was Of any avail. The
city specialist, telegraphed for. came
and went. giving no ray of hope. 1t
was 4 phase of the illness-the sight
sometimes went in single night
sometimes-but not often-no, thank
God-not often-.
II can do nothing" lie said, pocket
ing his fee and wrlnging Mr. Dever-
eux's hand as he stepped into the wait
ing carriage. 1T is no use sending for
me again, although. OF course. will
come at any time II you want me.
Miss Devereux's sight is gone. There
IS no hope-she will never see again"
Then he was driven away to catch
the express back to town. and Molly
was left TO battle with her trouble.
and to realize all that his verdict
meant, both now and hereafter.
''Ic she would only cry out once and
rpt II over II would he moro notur,l