The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-06-30
CONTINUED From Our Last Issue)

1t before. Mr.. Rochester often
spoke of it, and sometimes went
there.
To this house l came, just ere
dark, on an evening marked by
penetrating rain.
| drew near and knocked;
Johns wife opened for me.
Mary" | said, how are your"
To her hurried is 1t really you,
miss. come at this late hour to this
lonely placer" | answered by TAX
ing her hand; and then | followed
her into the kitchen, where John
now sat by fire.
| explained to them, In a few
words, that | had heard all which
had happened since l left Thorn
field. and that | was come to see
Mr.. Rochester. Just at this mo-
ment the parlor bell rang.
She proceeded to fill a glass
with water, and place 1t on tray,
together with candles.
rs that what he rang for?" |
asked.
Yes; he always has his candles
brought In at dark, tho he is
blind"
Give the tray to me, / will
carry 1t In"
| took 1t from her hand; she
pointed me out the parlor door.
The tray shook as l held it, Mary
opened the door for me, and shut
| 1t behind me.
This parlor looked gloomy; a
neglected handful of fire burnt
low in the CRATE; and, leaning
over it, with his head supported
against the high, old-fashioned
mantel-piece, appeared the blind
tenant of the room.
His old dog, Pilot, lay on one
side. Pilot pricked up his ears
when l came in: then he jumped
up with a yelp and bounded to-
ward me. I patted him. and said
softly, "Lie down." Mr.. Rochester
turned mechanically to see what
the commotion was; but as he saw
nothing, he returned and sighed.
Give me the water, Mary" he
said.
approached him with the glass.
Pilot followed me, still excited.
what is the matter?" he in
quired.
Down. Pilot" | again said.
He checked the water on its way
to his lips. This is you, Mary, is
1t not?"
Mary is in the Kitchen" l an
swered.
He put out his hand with a
quick gesture, but not seeing
where l stood, he did not touch
me. who is 1t? What is It?
Who speaks?"
"Pilot knows me, and John and
Mary know | am here. l came
only this evening"" answered.
"Great God!-what delusion has
come over me? What sweet mad
ness has seized me?"
He CROPPED; I arrested his wan
dering hand, and prisoned it In
both mine.
Her very fingers!" he cried;
cher small, slight fingers! If SO,
there must be more of her,"
The muscular hand broke from
my custody: my arm was seized.
my shoulder-neck-waist-Iw was
entwined and gathered to him.
us 1t Jane? What is 1t? This
Is her shape-this Is her size"
And this Is her voice." l added.
"She is all here; her heart. too.
God bless you. sir! I am glad to
be so near to you again."
my living darling! But I can
not be so blest, after all my mis-
cry. It is a dream; such dreams
as | have had at night when l
have clasped her once more to my
heart, as | do now; and kissed her,
as thus. 1t is you-is 1t, Jane?
You are come back to me, then"
81 am"
"And you do not lie dead In
some ditch-under some stream?
And you are not a pining outcast
amongst strangers?"
And to divert him from an emo
ton that was fast mastering linn,
I began to tell of the happier Of
my adventures.
Again, as he kissed me, painful
thoughts darkened his aspect.
my scared vision! My crippled
strength" he murmured regret
fully.
caressed, in order to soothe
him. knew of what he was
thinking, and wanted to speak for
him, but dared not. AS he turned
aside his face a minute / saw a
tear slide down from under the
sealed eyelid and trickle down the
manly cheek. My heart swelled.
Janet" he said, you think me.
| dare say. an irreligious dog, but
my heart swells with gratitude to
the beneficent God of this earth
just now. He sees not as man
sees. but far clearer; judges not
as man judges, but far more wise
ly. I did wrong. I'would have
sullied my innocent flower
breathed guilt on its purity; the
Omnipotent snatched It from me.
OF late, Jane-only-only of late
i began to see the hand of God
in my doom. I began to expert