The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-09-24


| lltc yours"
"lg you arc strong you can pun your
self up by the ald Of this cedar tree,
will bend Il there! Now
draw yourself up, and will help yol
on TO iinu ground"
Five minutes later he lay painting OF
the ground at her feet II am very
gratefur-- he began eagerly, when hel
crisp, cool voice stopped the words or
his lips
II am more than repaid" she said
with cruel emphasis. Il never met q
coward before,'
"A-coward!" he stammered, sitting
up and turning his sightless eyes to-
ward her.
"a coward!" she repeated firmly
"You see--I know--Rose Abernethy."
"Ah, you have the advantage Of me,
madam. Your hattering words indicate
that you have some knowledge Of my
affairs"
His face was very red, and his black
brows were drawn together In an an.
CRY frown.
Il know enough--to form an opin.
ion,' said Miss Abernethy coldly. Il
will tell you why believe you to be a
coward II you wish"
He smiled grimly.
"You have been good enough to save
very worthless life Go on"
"You are coward because you are
afraid to let Rose Abernethy know
that you are blind. You denied her the
right to share your affiiction and to let
her money make things easier for you
She would gladly have shared her pal.
try dollars with you.'
"You don't understand, whoever you
are" he said shortly. II am a poor
man. l had just reached point where
my fortunes depended upon the keen
ness Of every faculty, and this blind
ness came upon me like a stroke of
lightning. could not ask Rose beau.
tiful, bright Rose-to play nurse and
Lady Bountiful to miserable blind
beggar." He dropped his face In his
hands and, forgetful OF her presence,
groaned bitterly.
'You have forgotten her. She had
some rights. You could never have
really loved her, Mr.. Brlerson"
He lifted a ghastly face.
"God knows / did, l do, | always
shall, but | could not ask her to wait
OH indefinitely. and know her un-
selfish nature, capable Of any sacrifice.
She would lose youth and everything
that goes to make up her Joy in life.
| could not-I had not the courage to
face her and tell her the truth You
are quite right. am a coward"
There was "a long silence after that,
while the sun sank behind a distant
range and long, cool shadows fell over
the two sitting among the pine needles.
The man sat with his hands clasped
about his knees. while his countenance
settled into that impasslve calm with
which he had first faced the sunset.
The girl watched him with plying
eyes and trembling lips. Twice she
parted them to speak, and each time
her voice died away in her pretty
white throat.
And the doctors said" she asked at
last
''That the sight might return as sud
denly as it went or a costly operation
might effect cure. Overstrain has
Daralyzed the optic nerves." he replied
without moving.
Rose sprang to her feet, and for the
irst time that afternoon her voice rang
,ut clear and sweet:
1T is growing late, Jack. Will you
.ake me back to the camp?"
Brierson was beside her instantly /
With cropping hands.
Rose, Rose" he cried joyfully, at (
s you. 1t has been you all the timer" I
YES" she said, withdrawing from
lis touch with confusion he could .
lot perceive. You must let me show
'Ou the way, and them
"And then"-he echoed breathlessly,
and then--you will not leave me-you
viii forgive my mental blindness and
ny cowardicey
"You do not need me-" she ventured
"Ah, dear heart, | did not know how
luch needed you" he cried remorse-
ully. "You will forgive my brutality
nd show me the way to happiness
nee moreY' He turned appealing.
ightless eyes and beseeching hands
Oward her.
She placed her hand in his. "Come,
ack," she said.
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