Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1911-09-14

blind. | could see as well as anybody
until a year ago, and then one day i
fell through the ice in this pond and
contracted form of rheumatism that
the physicians say caused the loss of
my sight"
But it is not incurable. Surely you
must recover your sight some day."
protested Oliver
A clear whistle sounded through the
woods, and, following the crash of
frozen branches, a youth of sixteen
came running toward them. "Oh,
there you are, Elsie, Are you all
right?" he called anxiousy.
EYES," she said severely. Where
have you been, Oliver LewisT
Il didn't think you would be down
so soon, Elsie, aud I ran 6n to chin a
little with the surveyors beyond here,
and | forgot all about you. When
did remember didn't lose any time
getting here, you can bet" He looked
curiously at Oliver Ray, and the girl
introduced them with a repetition of
that delicious laugh.
/ Il was afraid you might fall in"
said the boy after shaking hands with
I the tall young man. You dant want
/ another cold bath"
81 escaped that" said the girl. Be
sides, Oliver, dear the ice is quite
i firm, isn't it?'N
Not over yonder. Oh, | forgot Ell
sic, dear; you know the place between
the four poplarsY
Yes; that deep hole"
'Its thin there. / chucked n stone
in yesterday and it went in kerplunk.
1t isn't growing any colder either. Be
sides who wants to skate In there
anyhow"
81 would" said the girl daringly-
that is if | thought ! would fall in.
Perhaps the shock of the icy water
would restore my sight" She turned
her soft appealing eyes toward the two
4 divers.
Don't you dare try. Elsie!" cried the
boy. "You might catch pneumonia
and die, and what would dad and 1
do them
"But am so helpless" half sobbed
the girl. putting her hands before her
sightless eyes.
All at once, without warning, the ice
upon which they stood separated into
one cake which capsized them into the
icy waters of the dark pool.
1t was Oliver Ray who bore the
brunt Of the rescue. Elise lost con-
seriousness at once, and her brother
gave her into Rays stronger grasp
while he tried TO fight for life. In the
end II was Ray who saved them both.
Afterward he never could tell how 1t
happened that he lay painting on the
surface with the unconscious form Of
the girl beside him, while young Oliver
I pulled and bowed and sobbed over his
sister
Then Oliver Ray brought forth the
emergency flask that he always car
ried on these surveying trips and
trickled few drops between the pale
lips. After that il was only a short
while before they carried her home on
litter improvised from Rays heavy
overcoat. 1t was n short walk through
the woods to the edge of the extensive
lawns that surrounded the Lewis es-
tate, and before long the three half
frozen victims were being blanketed
and put to bed with hot water bags
and many fiery internal doses.
1t was three weeks before either one
of the trio stirred from bed. Ray had
taken n severe cold. and so had young
oliver Lewis, but Elsie had once more
fallen victim TO the dreaded rheuma-
sxP ha x,,htt 20
capped nurse who presided over the
sickrooms in the motherless house
hold would permit the girl to receive a
visit from either Of the other GONZALES
cents. Then at last came the day
when Oliver Ray was to take farewell
and rejoin his party Of surveyors.
/ Mr. Lewis, who had become warmly
attached TO the young man, invited
him into the library to say farewell to
Elsie, who was now sitting up. At her
feet sat young Oliver brimming over
with the joy of renewed health.
"Here is your rescuer, Elsie" said
her father. "Mr. Ray is leaving US
now. and perhaps you better tell him
the good news
Elsie turned her head very slowly to-
ward Oliver Ray. and her large dark
eyes met his with n different express
sion in their melting depths. Slowly
they wandered over his face, at first
wonderingly and then gladly. and at
last, as If conscious that she was be-
traying her pleasure In his exceeding
good looks, she blushed and turned
her head away. but her hand remained
In his.
"She can see!" uttered Oliver incred-
ulously. and Mr. Lewis chuckled as
sent. and his son turned an ecstatic
handspring on the rug. crying: 1T was
the shock Of the icy water. The doctor
says he can cure rheumatism all right,
but he's forbidden sis to skate any
more"
IL don't care" smiled Elsie radi-
antly. 81 shall always love that pool.
II 1t had not taken away my sight
would not have known the blessedness
! -