But Maude's eyes were not sore--they were merely weak, while the

pain in the eyeball was sometimes so intense as to wring from her a

cry, of suffering. Gradually there crept into her heart a horrid

fear that her sight was growing dim, and often in the darkness of

the night she wept most bitterly, praying that she might not be

blind.

"Oh, Louis," she said to her brother one day, "I would so much

rather die than to be blind, and never see you any more--never see

the beautiful world I love so much. Oh, must it be? Is there no

help? "

"James De Vere could help us if he were here," answered Louis, his

own tears mingling with his sister's.

But James De Vere had left Hampton for New Orleans, where he would

probably remain until the winter, and there could be no aid expected

from him. The doctor, too, was wholly absorbed in thoughts of his

approaching nuptials, for Maude Glendower, failing to secure the

wealthy bachelor, and overhearing several times the remark that she

was really getting old, had consented to name the 20th of October

for their marriage. And so the other Maude was left to battle with

the terrible fear which was strengthened every day.

At length J.C., roused not so much by the touching letter which she

wrote him as by the uncertain handwriting, came himself, bringing

with him a physician, who carefully examined the soft black eyes,

which could not now endure the light, then shaking his head he said

gravely, "There is still some hope, but she must go to the city,

where I can see her every day."

J.C. looked at Dr. Kennedy, and Dr. Kennedy, looked at J.C., and

then both their hands sought their pockets, but came out again--

empty! J.C. really had not the ready means with which to meet the

expense, while Dr. Kennedy had not the inclination. But one there

was, the faithful John, who could not stand by unmoved, and darting

from the room, he mounted the woodshed stairs, and from beneath the

rafters drew out an old leathern wallet, where from time to time he

had deposited money for "the wet day." That wet day had come at

last; not to him, but to another--and without a moment's hesitation

he counted out the ten golden eagles which his purse contained, and,

going back to Maude, placed them in her hand, saying: "Go to

Rochester, Miss Maude. I saved 'em for you, for I wouldn't have the

light squenched in them shinin' eyes for all the land in old

Virginny."




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