Year: 1871

uoue otnerwlse, though think, had it been my
own case, should have waited to see if there
would not have been some hopes of partial re-
covery of sight, at least. But of course, you
are best qualified to Judge"


She was coming out to join me in the
Spring" was lke's reply, "and if gave my
self time to think, might nouriSh hopes until
il would be too late to write to her. It's better
as it is"


He turned his face from me and said no more.
After that, for many days, he answered only in
mouosylables when spoken to, and, at times, |
feared that reason would be driven rom her
throne But, under the kind care of DR.. Sex
tant, (who made many calls, considering the dis
tance we were from his residence he gradually
regained health and strength, and before Janu-
airy closed was able to go out and sit in the
warm sunshine. And, at last, one fine day the
widows pony was brought up, he mounted upon
its back and Styles and went with him down
to the D." Home"


There he was a welcome guest, and as there
was always some one at the house who could be
company for him, we went into the dggiugS
again. The boys who had cabins of their own
would drop in to see him, and sometimes take
him away for day or two Mt IA time to visit
them at their homes. And so the days rolled
on until Winter had nearly passed, and the
bright, warm sunlight and swelling buds gave
token of the approach of Spring.


II WASHINGTON BIRTHDAY.


If there was any one day in the calendar which
was looked forward to more anxiously than any
other, by ~he " honest miners" of C-ville, it
was Express Day" Once week did that re-
doubtable day arrive, and sure as Friday came
the little covered wagon, with its two gray
horses, would drive up to the store, leave its lit
tie package of treasures, and then on to its final
destination, six miles distant. Our Express as
- I,l
along the route, was somewhat erratlc as to
time, happening along sometimes directly after
dinner and at others it would not put in an ap-
pearance until late in the evening.


On the particular day of which am writing,
our company were looking for returns from
some quartz which we had sent to Sacramento
to be assayed, and consequently, the arrival OF
the Express was looked forward TO with more
than usual interest by us. So had not gone to
work with the boys as usual but waited to be
sure and see the Expressman in person and learn
all the particulars We were sitting on some
empty boxes outside the store when he appeared
in sight, descending the hill, across little ra-
vine,


AT the first sight | saw that the wagon con-
tanned a lady passenger. AS this was some
thing which had never before happened, we
were, of course decidedly interested. Where
could she be going? Who was she Our spec



stopped in front of the store and the driver after
assisting his passenger to alight, pulled out Il
large travelling trunk and set it by the door.
The trader had already gone in with the letter
bag and was busy sorting out the letters for our
place, so he turned to me,


Where is that man stopping who got blinded
last Winter This young lady is Il friend of
his"


" Marston went up with the Forty miner,
yesterday" said /, "I think he intends stop
ping with him few days"


Where does the gentleman you speak OF
live ?" said the lady. turned to the questioneI
as she spoke, and saw that she was fir-haired
girl Of perhaps twenty years, rather slight in fig
ure, and while she was not one who would be
called beautiful, was yet possessed of that pleas
ant womany expression of countenance which
is more attractive than mere beauty can ever be.
&C Is it far from here2' she added.


"Nearly a mile, my answer, but II
you wish can go up and have Marston come
down" "Thank you, no. But if you will di-
rect me how to go, | will go and find bin my
self"


"That ! cannot very well do" said I. "The
trail branches several times, aud even if you
found the house there might be no one ut home.
They are probably at work now and he may be
with them. If you can wait moment will go
with you"


She thanked me and nodded, and hurriedly
despatching my business with the Expressman
started. There was but little opportunity for
conversation as she followed in my steps along
the narrow mountain path, so the journey was
made in silence. We soon reached the cluster
of cabins, one of which belonged to the {" Forty
miner" and | judged by the blue smoke of the
chimney that some one was inside So wthout
further ado | led the way to the door and
knocked.


1t was lke's voice that called to us to come in
and saw that at its tones my companion started
and trembled. pushed open the door and step
ped inside. There a blazing fire of oak logs
in the fireplace, and he had drawn a rude home
made rocking chair upon the hearth and was
sitting there alone. Evidently he had moved
the chair little round at our approach, and sat
with the poor, sightess eyes turned to the light
of the opened door. All this | took in at a
glance


~ have brought lady to see you, Ike" said


"a LADY," he exclaimed, wonderingly. GA
lady to see me ?''


"Oh, Isaac ~ 1t was my companion who
spoke. He leaped from the chair as if electri-
fed.


"My God p be cried, lam dreaming am
mad, or was that Aices voice2"


She was leaning against the post of the rough
door, pale and trembling. She spoke again.


Your are not dreaming, Isaac, for | am
here"


''Oh, Alice |" There was a world of agony
in those two words. "Alice, Alice, why have
you come"


Only q moment she paused as if to gather
strength. Then she walked steadily and firmly
to where he sat, and kneeling beside the low
seat, looked up into his face.


TO be to you all that you would have been to
me had this misfortune fallen upon me as it has
onyou. To be your companion, your comforter,
your wife. You sought me once of all the world
and gave me the love of your heart. Now,
though all the world may fall away from you,
yet will still be true"


] had got to the door while she was saying
this and closing il behind me left them to them
selves. don't know that Ike felt happier than
did myself and this sudden lifting of the clouds
which was to pour such q golden food of sun