The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1910-06-23
* * John ThurI0W'S AffIiCtiOn.

me renewal-well, I suppose it's all
up with Thurlow G CO..
He took sheet Of paper and pre-
pared to write a letter.
Dipping his pen into the ink he
was about to begin when he noticed
that the light did not seem 0 be
fully turned on.
He rose and went over to 1t, but to
his surprise he found he had been
mistaken. Annoyed at being thus
disturbed to no purpose, he returned
to his seat, and again took up his pen.
What poor gas" he muttered.
Then he began his letter. Very de-
liberately he wrote the words:
"Gentlemen-I am compelled, very
much to my regret, to inform you of
my inability to meet your bill, which
falls due on Monday next. II you
would be so good as to grant me an
extension of time, l feel sure the
present crisis of the firm could be
aVerted. In this hope, therefore, 1
beg to propose that you should grant
me rene"
The word was never COMPLETED. A
sudden haze crept up before John
Thurlow's eyes-grey at first, but
rapidly darkening, until 1t had be-
come as black as night. The letter.
the scanty furniture of the room and
even the light itself, were all blotted
out from his view, and terrible
darkness covered everything around
him. He got up hastily and groped
MS way to the gas jet. Then once
more drawing forth his matchbox
he endeavored to light the gas, which
ne imagined must have gone cut. But
to his establishment and terror he
could not distinguish tho fairtest
glimmer OF light
He listened, and heard the hiss of
the burning gas, and going close IN
! to 1t he felt the heat upon his face
his breath came quick as n horrible
suspicion took possession OF him. In
an agony OF suspense he thrust his
nngers into the flame, which he a.
most knew to be there though unseen
II was, and only withdrew his hand
when the fingers had been blistered
| by the heat.
In frenzy of horror he groped his
way to the outer door OF the office.
| and took one short step into the
street. The cool night air famed his
cheek, but all around him was as dark
as the grave. Not a ray of light.
not even the vaguest outline of an
OBJECT greeted his straining eyeballs.
And then, with cry of utter despair
ne realized the terrible truth. He
was blind!
FeeDly lie groped his way back to
MS ONCE chair, and tried to think
calmly upon his horrible situation
But he could not. Blindness,-tbat
most awful of all calamities-had
tallen upon him-him, q young man
OF Dut nine-and-twenty-a his life
henceforth must be spent in fone-
liness and darkness beyond descrin-
ton. The thought was maddening.
HIS Drain reeled and his senses swan.
with loud cry for help he fell upon
the Office floor. and kind unconscious
ness came to his relief.
"hen he recovered a confused mur-
muir OF voices sounded in his ears
He was in the hospital.
Inc nur for the day had come on
outy, and once as she passed him
she stopped, and, in a sweet, quiet
voice, asked him his name. When he
told her, she stood for some time
silent before him.
| How did you sleep?" she asked Mt
last, In voice which John Thought
unusually sympathetic.
|. very WE'LL" he replied, gratefully
Ihat Is right" she said. kindly.
You must try to get as much rest as
possible, and. above all, you must not
! worry about your afhiction. You
know. 1t may be-we hope 1t is-onlv
! temporary, and you are in good hands
mere. DR.. Pope will see you TO-DAY
ana then we shall know more about
your case, and be able, hope. to do
our little part in the great work Of
restoring to you your lost sight"
| Ihank you," he said. simnIx
your words inspire courage. I trust
that, under the skillful treatment NJ
Dr. Pope and yourselves, may soon
realize the hope which you have so
kindly expressed.
| Ihat afternoon Nurse Gertrude was
on duty. But instead of going ont
TOT her usual walk she went STRAIGHT
to her bedroom. Locking the door
hastily behind her she fell on her
knees by the bedside. and. COVERING
her race with her hands. burst into
G&S ~~~