Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1908-11-10

die my own life you must not sacri-
flee yoursr'
IF you are strong you can pull your
self up by the aid of this cedar tree. |
viii bend 1t down so-there. Now.
draw yourself up. and viii help you
on to firm ground"
Five minutes later he lay painting on
the ground at her feet. Il am very
grateful he began eagerly. when her
crisp. cool voice stopped the words on
his lips.
Il am more than repaid" she said,
with cruel emphasis. Il never met
coward beforel"
'.A-cowardl' he stammered, sitting
up and turning his sightless eyes to-
ward her,
"a cowardr~ she repeated firmly.
You see--I know-Rose Abernethy."
"Ah, you have the advantage of me,
madam. Your Gathering 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.
II know enough-to form an opin-
ion, said Miss Abernethy coldly. Il
will tell you why believe you to be a
coward If you wish"
He smiled grimly.
you have been good enough to save
very worthless life. Go on
'You are a coward because you are
afraid to let Rose Abernethy know
that you are blind You denied her the
right to share your afiiiction and to let
her money make things easier for you.
She would gladly have shared her pax
try dollars with you'
"You don't understand, whoever you
are" he said shortly. Il am a poor
man. had just reached a 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 a 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.. Brierson."
He lifted CHASTITY face.
God knows / did, / do, | always
shall, but | could not ask her to wait
on Indefinitely. and | know her UNI
selfish nature, capable Of any sacrifice.
She would lose youth and everything
that goes to make up her joy in life.
l could not--I had not the courage to
face her and tell her the truth. You
are quite right ! am coward"
There was 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 impassive 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 a cure. Overstrain has
paralyzed the optic nerves." he replied
without moving.
Rose sprang to her feet, and for the
first time that afternoon her voice rang
out clear and sweet
at Is growing late, Jack VIII you
take me back to the camp?"
Brierson was beside her instantly
with cropping hands.
"Rose, Rose" he cried joyfully, 1T
Is you! 1t has been you all the timer
EYES," she said, withdrawing from
his touch with confusion he could
not perceive. "You must let me show
you the way, and them
"And then he echoed breathlessly,
'and then-you will not leave me-you
will forgive my mental blindness and
my cowardiceg"
"You do not need me-" she ventured
wistfully.
s.Ah, dear heart. | did not know how
much / needed your he cried remorse-
fully. you will forgive my brutality
and show me the way to happiness
once moreT' He turned appealing
sightless eyes and beseeching hands
toward her.
She placed her hand in his. Come,