"Pardon me, please," he interposed; "it is a five-masted schooner,
with sails all set, is it not?"
"Why, yes," she began, turning to him in surprise, to find him
looking off at the vessel, his right eye covered with one hand.
For a moment she could not speak. Then her face grew luminous with
a great joy as she realized what it meant.
"Oh!" she breathed, softly.
"Yes, I can see," he said. "The sight has been slowly coming
during the last month, and I have dimly discerned things around
me. Yesterday Mrs. Minturn made a startling statement regarding
sight being 'spiritual perception'--that 'it is not dependent upon
the physical eye, the optic nerves, etc., but upon Mind, the all-
seeing God,' and I caught a glimpse of something I had not
comprehended before. To-day I found I could read my 'Science and
Health' clearly, with both eyes; but I have not spoken of it to
anyone until now--'twas you who first assured me that such a boon
could be conferred. Miss Minturn"--he removed his hat and bowed
his head reverently--"all honor to the 'Science of sciences' and
to her, the inspired messenger through whom it has been given to a
needy world."
CHAPTER XXI.
THE TRAVELER RETURNS.
One evening Sadie was sitting by herself upon the veranda that
overlooked the ocean, and where she was watching a glorious full
moon which seemed to be rolling straight out of the glimmering sea
into the cloudless vault above. It was unusual for her to be
alone, but Mrs. Minturn had slipped away for a chat with Mrs.
Seabrook, and Katherine, at the invitation of Dr. Stanley, had
gone for a walk to the library in search of an interesting book
for Dorothy.
Sadie had changed much during her summer with her friends. She had
grown more thoughtful, more self-poised, more orderly and
systematic in her ways; while, it goes without saying, she had
become deeply attached to every member of the family.
Just now she was absorbed in a mental discussion with herself
regarding what would be the most acceptable and appropriate gift
she could offer each one, to attest her appreciation of their
united kindness and unrivaled hospitality in taking her so
lovingly into their household for the long vacation.
Without having heard a step or a movement, without a suspicion
that any living being was near, her name was suddenly pronounced
in familiar tones directly behind her.
"Sadie!"
She sprang to her feet and faced the intruder.
"Oh, Ned! Why have you come? Why cannot you let me alone?" she
cried, in a startled tone.
"I have come to make you take back your ring," and he held out the
box to her. "And I cannot 'leave you alone,' because--you know
why, Sadie."
"No, I shall not take back the ring," she replied, waving it away,
"and I wrote you that everything was at an end between us; that I
would not be bound to you any longer."
"But you are bound--you have given me your promise."
"I have taken back that promise."
"Why?"
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