Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-11-06


where the crossing once had been. 1t
was then that she saw him first.
He was a tall and well-made man,
walking somewhat slowly ahead of
her. Suddenly he stumbled and al
most fell. In recovering himself he
turned and paused irresolute. as II
uncertain which way 10 go. He was
now facing her and she saw his ex-
preston of helpless bewilderment,
and saw, too. that he was blind.
With sudden pity for his misfor-
tune and predicament she advanced
toward him. Our streets are In such
a chaotic condition." she said. "Will
you allow me to pilot you to the OPP
posite side?"
Il should be most grateful to you,'
he replied. lifting his hat. Il have not
been In New York for some time and
confess that l find myself decidedly
at sea-"
1t seemed the strangest thing in the
world to Mary Agnew to be walking
thus Familiarity by the side of an un-
known man. And she felt that luck
had favored her when she had run the
gauntlet of that half mile without
meeting any of her friends. But the
man was a gentleman, and something
in his helplessness had appealed most
strangely to her.
This unconventional episode haunted
Mary Agnew all that day. She caught
herself wondering again and again
who her stranger was and why he had
ventured out alone. Sometimes Ii
seemed as II she had done something
inexcusably bold and unwomanly; yet
at the same time she felt that she
would never have forgiven herself had
she acted otherwise. His tall, straight
figure and fine face were still present
with her when, late that evening, she
entered a crowded ballroom on her
fathers arm.
Half an hour perhaps had passed
when she saw her old friend Jack
Beaverton approaching with-could IL
be possible?-her stranger of the
morning.!
Miss Agnew, allow me to introduce
my cousin, Anthony Gordon, once OF
New York, lately of the far west and
now of New York again" Jack s
words seemed buzzing in her ears.
Il am glad TO meet Mr.. Gordon.
she said quietly. though her heart was
huttering strangely. as it had not done
since she was a young. young girl.
She saw him start and turn eagerly
toward her. Jack had now passed on
and among the crowd these two
seemed quite alone.
1T is you, | was hoping | might
meet you again." Gordon said gladly
The world is a small place, after
ALL"
yes" she assented; yet l confess
this is a great surprise"
you probably think that a blind
man is even more out of place in a
ballroom than in the city's crowded
streets, and / agree with you; but
Jack overpersuaded me and now l am
glad l came! He promised to keep me
in tow and to introduce me to a few
of his friends with whom l could sit
out an occasional dance.
She regarded him curiously. 1t was
a novelty to meet man who was APP
parently no more sensitive about such
a terrible affiiction than II 1t had been
but broken bone and he was about
with his arm in a sling.
81 hope you did not think me-for
ward this morning" she said i'm
pulsively.
II thought you did most gracious
and beautiful action and | blessed you
for it,"
"You have not benin this condi
tion-long?" she asked.
Eight months-an age, And | am
remarkable case for have bafied
every specialist in the west and now
have come to New York to battle these
fellows here. / intend going to each
one Of them separately, at first. Then
| shall have them meet and hold a con
sultation; then / suppose they'll wan;
to examine me again; and after that
the verdict"
She saw Gordon again just as she
was leaving. IL hope you will come
to-call on me-" she said. She had
been going to say ito see me-" but
quickly changed the word, adding: 81
shall be interested to hear what all
the oculists say"
Il wanted to ask you II might" he
said eagerly. IF | had not seen you
again tonight (and she noticed that
the old habit Of speech chung to
him), Il should have sent Jack to you
to ask If | might come"
Within a few days Anthony Gordon
called, and his calls were repeated
with increasing frequency. The first
time he came with Jack, but after.
wards with his man Brown, who wait.
ed for him below.
His conversation was always full
of interest. His ten years expert
ences in the west; his struggles. his
successes, his defeats-he told her all
with an eager and almost boyish
confidence. He made no secret of his
admiration for her, and the Difference
and reverence he showed her seemed
something strangely beautiful.
Her father liked him. too. "Gordon's
a fine fellow" he said. And so hope
full. II will be a hard blow to him If
he shouldn't recover his sight"
Finally there came a pause. Ten
days. two weeks passed by. during
which time Gordon had not been to
see her and had made no sign.
She could not bring herself to
write 10 him, to have even a letter OF
mere friendly inquiry read aloud to
him by that man Brown. She was too
nrnnd To wrifn for news of him TO