Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1907-11-07

Inc COnultlOn Oh our stroclS 10 poS-
itively disgraceful." thought Miss Ag-
new. as she gathered up her gown and
proceeded to pick her way over unsta-
BILE boards and loose paving stones.
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 irrosolute, as II
uncertain which way to so. lie was
now facing her and she saw his eX-
preston of helpless bewilderment,
and saw, too, that he was blind.
With a sudden pity for his misfor-
tune and predlcament she advanced
toward him. Our streets are In such
chaotic condition" she said viii
you allow me to pilot you to the OPP
posite side?"
II should be most grateful to you,
he replied, lifting his hat. II have not
0een in New York for some time and
onfess that | find myself decidedly
At sea-"
1t seemed the strangest thing in the
world to Mary Agnew to be walking
.hus 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
nan was 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 IL
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
iigsre and fine face were still present
with her when. late that evening, she
entered crowded ballroom on her
fathers arm.
Half an hour perhaps had passed
when she saw her old friend Jack
Beaverton approaching with---could II
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" Jacks
words seemed buzzing in her ears.
ella 10 ~
she said quietly, though her heart wal
futtering strangely, as 1t had not done
since she was young. young girl
She saw him start and turn eagerl!
toward her. Jack had now passed on
and among the crowd. these tw,
seemed quite alone.
1T Is you! was hoping nigh
meet you again." Gordon said gladly
"The world Is small place. afte
ALT"
YES" she assented; yet confas
this Is a great surprise"
"You probably think that blln'
man is even more out OF place In |
ballroom than In the city's crowded
streets, and I agree with you; bu
Jack overpersuaded me and now / an
glad came! He promised to keep m'
in tow and to introduce me to few
Of his friends with whom I could 81
5it an occasional dance"
She regarded him curlously. II wal
novelty to meet man who was ap
parently no more sensitive about sucf
a terrible anllction than II II had beer
but broken bone and he was abou
with his arm In a sling.
II hope you did not think me-for
ward this morning" she said i'm
pu'slvely.
II thought you did most gracious
and beautiful action and blessed 20,
10, ~"
You have not benin this condi
tion-long?" she asked.
Eight months--an age! And an
remarkable case for have baffiet
every specialist In the west and nov
have come to New York to battle thes,
fellows here. intend going to eacl
one OF them separately, at first. Thei
shall have them meet and hold con
sultation; then / suppose they'll wan
to examine me again; and after tina
tho verdict"
She saw Gordon again Just az sh'
was leaving. II hope you will com,
to--call on me-" she said. She hat
been going to say ito see me-" blu
quit ky changed the word. adding: "
shall be interested to hear what al
the ocullsts say"
II wanted to ask you II miBht," h,
said eagerly. III had not seen yol
again tonight" land she noticed tina
the old habit of speech chung Il
him), Il should have sent Jack to yol
to ask II I might come"
Within few days Anthony Gordon
called, and his calls were repeated
with increasing frequency. The frs
time he came with Jack. but after
wards with his man Brown. who wait
ed for him below.
Ills conversation was always full
of interest. His ten years expert
ences in the west; his struggles, hi!
successes. his defeats-he told her al
| with an eager and almost boyisf
confidence. He made no secret OF hi
admiration for her, and the Difference
and reverence he showed her seemed
something strangely beautiful.