The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-11-20

HANCEtNEA ~ kANA ANA H@@ 49, Ne
Bile boards and loose paving stones,
where the crossing once had been. It
was then that she saw him first
He was tall and well-made man,
walking somewhat slowly ahead Of
her. Suddenly he stumbled and al.
most fell. In recovering himself ne
turned and paused irresolute. as if
uncertain which way to 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
chaotic condition" she said "Will
you allow me to pilot you to the op
posite sIde?'
II should be most grateful to you,
he replied, lifting his hat Il have not
been IN New York for some time and
confess that ] 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 an
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 it
seemed as If 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 z crowded ballroom on her
fathers arm.
Half an hour perhaps had passed
when she saw her old friend Jack
Beverton approaching wIth-could it
be possible?--her stranger Of the
morningl
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.
4 am glad to meet Mr.. Gordon,
she said quietly. though her heart was
fluttering 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 youl was hoping might
meet you again" Gordon said gladly
The world Is small place, aftel
ALI"
yes" she assented; yet ] confess
this is a great surprise
You probably think that a blinC
man is even more out of place in {
ballroom than In the city's crowded
streets. and / agree with you; bu
Jack oyerpersuaded me and now | an
glad / came! He promised to keep m'
in tow and to introduce me to few
OF his friends with whom could 81
out an occasional dance"
she regarded him curiously It wa
a novelty to meet q man who was ap
parentiy no more sensitive about sucl
a terrible afIllction than II t had beei
but broken bone and he was abou
with his arm in . sling.
Il hope you did not think me-for
ward this morning. she said i'm
pulslvely.
4 thought you did most graoIou
and beautiful action and ! blessed yol
for it,
"You have not benin this eond
tion-longg" she asked.
Eight months-an age And ! ar
a remarkable case, for ! have baffie
every specialist in the west and no'
have come to New York to battle thes
fellows here. ! intend going to eac
one Of them separately. at first The
I shall have them meet and hold a col
suitadon; then | suppose they'll wan
to examine me again and after tha
the verdict
She saw Gordon again just as sh
+ was leaving. 4 hope you will com
) to-call on me. she said She ha
] been going to say TO see me, bg
r quickly changed the word, adding:
!. shall be interested to hear what a
r the oculists say"
l. Il wanted to ask you II might. b
/. said eagerly IF had not seen 70
{. again tonight land she noticed lhs
d the old habit Of speech clung
himl, y should have sent Jack to "
) to ask If / might come.
I within a few days anthony Gordc
h called. and his calls were repeate
b with increasing frequency. The fir
d time he came with Jack. but afte
e wards with his man Brown. who val
8 ed for him below.
d His conversation was always n
It Of interest. Hia ten years expei
II ences In the west his struggles. b
Is successes. his defeats-he told her 4
d with an eager and almost boyil