Bridgeton pioneer., 1916-11-30

Ilcu woman, lie would surely nOt
change his decision. now that he had
been blinded. But. remaining uIkNDwg
to him, she must win him away from
herself. She designed to play the part
OF woman of small means, hoping to
persuade him to accept the lesser sac-
rffice. The only way by which her
Identity might be betrayed to him was
by her voice. But 1t was not proha-
BILE that this alone would enable him
to recognize her.
The first time he heard her speak
was when she gave instructions to
nurse concerning his comfort. Aileen
kept her eyes fixed upon him as she
spoke and saw him start. He appear
ed to be listening for something more
from her, but she refrained from speak.
ing further at that time. When be
heard her again he listened intently.
"You have the voice." he said, "of
one have known"
"Indeed."
Yes; an American"
"One near to you?"
"One dear to me-.
This was enough to assure Aileen
that she still occupied the place she
coveted, and she turned the subject.
And SO it was that Arthur Balm
bridge was unknowingly attended by
one who was intent on being the at.
tendant for life of blind man who
must accept all from her and could
give only his love in return. Though
he could not see her, he was conscious
that she was devoted to him. 1t is not
by words alone that love is expressed
nor does it even require a look. The
touch of hand may speak more than
either
be this as it may. Bainbridge soon
came to know that he was loved. He
fastened to say that his heart was ol.
ready occupied. though he had already
given hint as to that.
Il shall never be able to see you." he
said, land it is well this is so, for !
could not love you, for gave my heart
to another several years ago. When
hSui foh Sltdh near IleF.
Aileen made no reply in words. TAX
ing his hand in hers. she pressed 1t.
Then Bainbridge began to ask her
questions about herself. She tod him
that she had been left a small p,oD
erty-that, not having to earn her living
she had desired some occupation and
this had led her to devote herself to
nursing sick and wounded soldiers.
Aileen gave as much time TO her in
valid as she could spare from her other
multifariOus duties. Occasionally she
would steal away to read to him. He
loved this because her voice was the
voice of the girl he had met in Amer
lea. Whatever time she gave him
seemed heaven sent, and he passed the
long intervals between her visits In
remembrance of the last and In an
ticipation of the next.
One evening when Aileen was hand
ing him something his hand came in
contact with hers. He had not the
will to withdraw it.
Not long after this Bainbridge said
to her:
IF you think that nursing blind
man would give you an object, do SO
as my wife,
with your lover"
THAT was given to one whose voice
Is counterpart Of yours"
but you cannot see her and can
hear me-"
There was no reply to this. He saw
nothing, he heard nothing, but he felt
himself enfolded in an embrace
One day chaplain was summoned
to perform marriage ceremony. A
blind officer was married to the rich
American who had founded the hospi
tai in which he occupied a room.
During this courtship the surgeon
who attended Bainbridge gave neither
him nor any one else hope that he
would ever see again. One eye was
gone. Would the other ever admit the
light? One day the surgeon performed
an operation on the eye that had been
poisoned. after which the patient was
kept In dark room for a long time.
When the light was admitted to the
room he exclaimed:
II can seer
what do you wish to see most?
asked the surgeon.
my wife,
Il am here" exclaimed Aileen and
stood before her husband-the sirl he
had loved as his pupil.
There had been change in the af
fairs of the handsome teacher since h.
had left America. but he did not ye
know it. His cousin, a young n,al
near his own age. was heir to Il fcI
tune. The cousin, a soldier. Ead Ice
killed in Belgium. and BainbliGsc D.,
his death became heir ut law 10 Il.
estate.
This inheritance removed a Certain
feeling of regret in Bainbridge that h
would be the poor husband of q RE-,
woman. 1t provided him with Ii
share of this worlds goods. and he wa
not dependent for funds on his vie
Tho only diccn.Ofort &c. tho+ Lt ,,,r.,t a., I