The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1906-08-11

/
will have to let them say it. But it
will not be true. And so," he contin-
ued, ''I have come to say that you are
the one who accomplished it all.
had given him up; but you did not.
With any other surgeon you might
still have succeeded; but I, without
you, would have been helpless
Again he stopped abruptly, but Miss
Sherman made him proceed
What is it," she persisted THAT
was not what you came to say"
mo, it was not. That was merely
the pleasanter part. The rest-the
rest he repeated doubtfully, lis hard
er, and I do not know how to say it.
But yon remember that in his delirium
he 5eemed to think you two women
or al least another woman. He did
not connect your name with that other
woman: but, nevertheless, he seemed
to identify your presence with her.
So we thought that perhaps his men,
DRY of you was confused and that you
really were the one he kept asking for.
But, my dear,' the surgeon went on,
hurriedly, and as a man who would
finish an unpleasant task, he did not
know that you were the one who had
come, and he was not asking for you.
There is another who has taken your
place in his thoughts. He thinks only
of that girl, and he supposes that she
has been with him all the time That,
l think, is the complication
"Ana when you told him it was I:'',
1--WE have not told him yet He is
very weak, and it is better that he
should think that the girl he loves
and upon whom he depends is the one
who has been with him and will con-
tinue to be at his side.''
AS he finished an attendant hurried
In.
If Miss Sherman is ready" he said,
''hal you not better bring her in?
Your patient, sir, is very restless
Without waiting for reply the
other FASTENED away; so the surgeon
turned to the girl beside him.
Il lave sent for the o1ner woman
he continued, as if he had not been IN
terrupred. ''She is Eleanor Clayton, OF
New York. l believe you know the
family. She cannot be here for four
days. During that time his eyes will
remain bandaged. His recollection will
he ne7d not know that she is not or has
not been here. He depends upon her
SO much that it would harm him to
know the truth. There are only four
days more before Miss Clayton may
arrive-and he must not know yet"
He half put his arm about her to
support and comfort her in case she
should need it; but she shook him
off. 1t was she, not himself, who led
the way into the room where the sick
man lay.
And then, on the fourth morning,
! when they unbandaged his eyes and
Eleanor Clayton. arrived from New
York, Miss Sherman broke down COM
| pletely. For the last few days, only
the force of her will had kept up the
strength impaired by the weeks of con-
slant anxiety. And now, as she real
lied that she was to see him no more,
| and that he, who owed his mind and
sight to her, would not see her, it was
| more than she could bear. Accord
ingly, she went to her little apartment
| near the ward where she had watched,
and waited for new strength for her
solitary journey home.
Yet, as she approached the hallway,
a strange cry stopped her, so that she
stood still and heard all. There had
been a confusion of sounds, and voices
when the other woman entered, but al
most at once a bewildered cry came
from the officers lips.
What is it," he cried, wonderingly.
What is the matter? My eyes! My
eyes! Yes-Yes. They are all right.
l see see again. And l see that
you are here You are here" he re-
peated, and yet there was a strange
incredulity in his tone. But when
did not see you it was so different.
I can see you now and know that you
are here; but-but when l close my
eyes, why, is it that cannot feel that
you are here as before?''
He passed mis- hand confusedly over
his eyes. Yes, l see. l see. have
regained my sight; but what-what is
it that have lost?'
The woman beside him bent nearer
what is it, my dear? Can | do
nothing?"
Again he passed his hand YEARLY
over his brow.
why has my sight changed every
thing?'' he demanded, almost fiercely.
'.Oh, no, TO! l didn't mean that. /
am sick, and perhaps l do not know
what I say I see you at last, and
know that you are here, and have been
with me through it all. Some day when
I am stronger, l will know how TO
thank you. I suppose l am very weak
and tired, and-and Think think
Il want to be alone 49,
He closed his eyes. and sinking back
exhausted, he seemed to fall asleep.
Eleanor Clayton, at a sign from the