Motion Picture Story Magazine (Aug 1912-Jan 1913)

58 TEE MOTION PICTURE STORY MAGAZINE tor's mind, and, after a moment's thought, he gladly consented to Mary's plan. It was as she had predicted: when she placed a cool hand upon John's burning forehead, murmuring a few soothing words, he exclaimed gladly, " Frances — my darling!" kist her fondly, and dropped off to sleep, holding her hand pressed closely to his cheek. The following day the operation was performed, and then came the time of Mary's real trial; for a month must pass now before the bandages could be removed from John's eyes, and her deception must be faithfully continued until the time was past. Joy and sorrow were strangely blended in the girl's life now. It seemed as if she was living in a dream as she sat day after day by John's bedside, reading to him, talking to him, caring for him with a tenderness which brought him constant joy. If she grieved and suffered, thinking what the outcome must be, her calm, sweet voice and steady hands never betrayed her, and the sick man grew stronger and more hopeful, as his love and happiness increased. The last day of her trial came at length ; at noon the bandages would be removed, and Mary dared not think of the future, but summoned all her fortitude to help John thru the trying hours while he awaited the doctor's coming. "Do you know, dear Frances, " said John, reaching for her hand, "that I am almost glad that I had this accident?" "Why is that?" asked Mary, wonderingly. "Because I never knew you before. You have been so brave, so gentle and unselfish — I never dreamed you could be like this. I loved you before, but you seemed a child to me; now you are a woman, and dearer than you ever were before my trouble. I have learnt to know and understand you, my darling." It was well that he could not see the sweet face pale, the dark eyes fill with tears, as Mary fought for self-control. Not daring to trust her voice, she slipped her hand into his, and, as he lay stroking it gently, a sudden, puzzled look crossed his face, unseen by Mary's tear-dimmed eyes. He had noticed that the hand wore no ring! Softly his hand stole up her wrist until it touched the bracelet that she wore — the bracelet that he had given Mary ! Then, for a long time, he lay very still, and he had not spoken when the bell announced the doctor's arrival, and Mary slipped softly away. At home, she paced up and down the floor, longing for her father's return, yet dreading it, unspeakably. Anxiety about John's sight was still uppermost in her unselfish mind. "If only he can see again," she moaned, "if only my deception has not been all in vain ! ' ' But, under this anxious thought ran another current, scarcely less painful. "Will he be angry at me ? Will he hate me? Surely he will see that it was for his sake I did it ! But he will go away, now — I shall never see him again ! ' ' Her father's step sounded on the piazza, and she ran forward eagerly, but he spoke before she could question him. "John wants you at once, Mary," he said quickly. She paused, in speechless dread, but her father turned quickly away, saying nothing more. The operation was a failure, she thought, and he could not bear to tell her! Had it been a success, he would have proclaimed the glad news at once. John was blind, then ; he would never see again! A wave of dizziness swept over her, and she swayed, faintly, for an instant. Then, with desperate effort, she summoned all her courage. He had asked for her — he needed her — and she ran down the street toward his house, sobbing, over and over, ' ' He needs me ! he needs me!" But, just as she entered the gate, another thought came, filling her with sickening anguish. "It is not you that he wants or needs," the thought said, "it is Frances."