The Washington herald., 1918-12-24

looked at her suftor. he seemed Aims
old to her. older than her motHsr
quite forlorn. Il
Il am 90. 20 sorry." she heard her. I.
self saying. so very sorryi ] rsspeci I,
and esteem you more than any friene :
whom / have. but do not syoect &c =
marry any one Let US be friends
the very best Of friends! DO 90 want
TO help you IN your work. and yox /,
must come TO see us more often ~
! feel that you have done me a v<ry 2
great honor. the greatest honor"
Her speech grew more rapid sne
earnest, in her endeavor 10 atone Tor =
the disappointment visible in the rec \
tors sensitive face
Credit Able Refusal
When she had finished. she had
made. though she did not in the },
least realize il. most creditable re- .
fusaL 4
1t might have been that. had this :
same proposal taken place before
Martin Lewis arrival. the outconp
would have been quite different. snc
yet a month earlier the Rev. DR.. Man Z
fred would have felt no desire 10 pro-
pose TO Rebecca- Everything hAe
happened just as Il was destined -tc
happen.
When she returned to the spot where
she had left Martin she found him
alone. He recognized her step.
How few blind men are en3oyins
the care and comfort that am en-
/ joying!" he said. turning his sightless
/ eyes toward her.
Rebecca was startled With All hf ,
confidence In her. there had never
been quite that note Of sorrov for
himself In his voice. And yet she did !
] not dare TO sympathize.
Il am sure that some are" she sn--
swered heartily. "
Il doubt it," he answered DO YOU :
| know that you have supplied me viusf-
vision. actually? dreamed last nigb<-'
/ of your garden. / saw II distinctirr
as believe Il to be. and you were
/ there in your white gown and yelr1w
/ ribbons, and the hat with the roses.
/ just as you were when you hrst
showed il to me, but / could not see
/ your face For all that know your
/ general coloring. could not see you
Your features seemed veiled in
cloud"
| You might have been disappointed
I IL you had seen me-" she replied i
am not beautiful. as you believe"
1t was a relief 10 her to speak In
that way: IL made her feel that she
had miti~sted what she chose to term
J her deceit but at the same time u
I gave her a sense OF loyalty toward
Maud In a dim sort OF way, she be
gan TO comprehend that. however
| wrongly her friend had acted, she had
done her an inestimable service. She
had helped her form the habit, during
the last few weeks. Of appearing as
u =.
( Martin effect the impossible and re-
gain his sight. she could not again
| drop into her former inadequscy and
gaucherie No one knew better than
she at how grave a disadvantage she
had appeared with men
! Yes" Martin went on. this Is
little corner Of heaven. only the guar
dian angel who presides over II keeps
herself hidden. Perhaps that il only
right Angels were never meant for
mortal sight"
Rebecca laughed gayiy. She was
quite well used by this time 10 receiv-
ing compliments
; silent Several Menths-
''Of course not" she replied
And after that Martin kept silent FOR
several moments. When he spoke
! again IT was on an entirely new sub
|, ject.
DO you know, Miss vanderpool." he
began. I've been doing a lot Of think
ing lately, ever since the orphan asy-
lum matter came up. ] had intended
Tesuming my law practice after rest
ing awhile, but don't know that
there would be any tremendous gain In
the end, by so doing, either 20 me or
to any one else. There are horoes OF
young men striving for a footholdy
and presumably there is at least one
man whom I would displsce by re-
turning to active life.
"On the other hand, think OF the
> orphans who need homes. and the
aged men and women. think that 1
will devote my time TO them"
1 Amszement filed Rebeccs's face.
That would be a splendid work. :"
| she ventured at last. but
D But how am I to do Il, blind as 4
am He came to her rescue. That
= was what you meant 70 ask wasn't
! It? ! can't do it myself VIII you
] help me?''
: Martin strove to keep his voice
= steady. Every moment Of his stRy-st
OF a want. which Rebeccs. by her
= mere presence and daily companion
ship, supplied. He was mortally afEaid
OF losing her.
! Yes" she answered. bending far
ther down over her work. gladly. 50 10.
) The light famed behind her eyes. as
Il had on the first evening OF his stay
: with them.