Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-01-03
CHAPTER XII.
The Radiant Hour.

For moment my senses absolute
~ failed 10 grasp the sight before
them. My eyes registered certain inn
pressions, but my appreciation could
not make them reality. Al thar first
sight o. Alexandra. the g!orficd. it
was impossible to form clear idea
Of the wondroua meta,norphosis that
had taken place
All that ! perceived at first was
face lying there on the pillow IA face
framed in cascading mass of black,
lustrous hair. The exact elements of
the picture escaped me | received IL
general impression of something won.
derful, something divine and ne,er
yet witnessed OF imagined. hui the
exact elements producing this effect
surpassed my powers of analysis =
Then as stepped back from the
bed. trembling, amazed, hardly able 10
believe the evidence OF my own sight.
AeTandra's eyes opened eyes now
of = different hue from any had ever
sDpn and through half-owered lids
flor even the dim light hurt their un-
accustomed pupils) she gazed at me
with long, yearning questioning
look, full of entreaty yet sublime in
dignity and power. The long lashes,
| saw, glistened suddenly with tears.
Her lips trembled Her hands
yearned out toward me. The woman
whispered.
Doctor, Tell me--telI me-
"Ten you" ! cried, while tears
started from my eyes as well, and
went lrickline down my sallow. sunk
en cheeks. Tell you? Can morials
inform the gods"
You mean success"
"Oh more than that" | cried.
"perfocjion' Every hope surpassed!
Every dream realized and more!
More More"
Perfection"
Eyes. thank Heaven, Bevond i'm.
agination the miracle Of miracles is
real"
$ .l-Uly she pressed both hands
to that exquisite face, covering her
eyes. and began to cry with the sud
den relaxation of the long hard
strain.
sprang to her and circled her with
my arms, raising her up, holding her
10 my breast, rocking her as II she
had been a little child.
no. no. no." soothod her. "Not
that! Not that! You mus,n', cry,
Alexandra dear. Come nov, don't
do that
Sudden alarm penetrated my heart.
1t suddenly occurred 10 me that
should have administered some opiale
in order TO quiet her before having
taken off the bandages Too late now;
| must calm her as best could.
Alexandria exclaimed. You
must obey me- Surely you won't risk
injuring yourself and perhaps running
everything by giving way to tears!
Come, Gomez No weakness now,
Nothing but courage, strength, and
smiles"
She grew more composed. and pres.
emily became quite calm. The tenn
porary disturbance passed. Her
hands fell. On her wonderful cheeks
Il tear.drop glstened. A poet would
have compared it to q dewdrop on Il
roseleaf in the morning sun, but l..
only dull and prosaic midde.aged
woman, can merely say il was tear
and that it was supremacy beautiful
| dried it away, half afraid TO
touch that radiant fresh.created skin
"a thing OF satin and peaohboom,
of warmth and color and unspeakahlc
beauty--afraid. | say. lest It's delicate,
perfect hue should fade and wither at
my touch.
Suddenly, Alexandra fixed her eyes
on mine.
"Oh, TO see the lisht again, to hear
your voice, to breathe the air, TO live
how wonderful she exclaimed
passionately. What JOY Things
that never understood before or
half appreciated"
"Yes, Alexandra" said |. yiroking
her hair. Il understand"