Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-04-04
TIE nLlND hAN,s HOUSE.

HE BLIND lAN = fAOlNts
1t was q small, low house, situated at
the foot of an isolated garden. Few
sounds came from it and people seldom
entered or left il. Even the sun pene-
trated through its half-open windows
with caution. ut is the blind mans
house, the people OF the neighborhood
said.
They exaggerated. Mr.. Dormoy was
not completely blind, for, with cane he
could still find his way, but II was more
prudent for him to take guide, and he
was eeldom alone when he took his after
noon walks. Sometimes his companion
..as ais wife, a tall sleuder woman with
face sti'l young, though tired and sad /;
more often il was oLe Of his twin daught-
era, AdrIsune OF Lucenne. They we're
ravishipgly beautiful blonds, of exactly
the same size; even their voices aud move
ments were alike. The neighbors said
that they we're highly educated. Beyond
this they knew nothing more about them.
The blind MAJ received only his relations
of friends, who were strangers in that
quarter. But the twins we're 40 simply
and tsstefuily dressed, so modest and
reserved in their manners, thatit was i'm
possible not to take a deep interest III
them.
People loved them particularly for the
affection that they manifested toward
their father, and TOR the constant atten-
tions that they showed him, attentions
always so delicate that they never an
uoyed the poor mar, fhloted in mind
and body. 1t was difficult to tell which
OF the two girls one preferred, which
was more beautiful, more gentle, or more
intelligent.
While they were young their resem-
blance was SO great that one was often
taken for the other and since they had
grown to wumgnhood this similtude had
Increased so much thai rybOdy con.
founded them.
Are you Miss Adrienne, or Miss Luci-
tuneY" they were often asked.
II do not know myself" came the an
swer, "but IN considering | believe that l
am either one or the other"
without doubt, but how can you be
distinguished from your sister, You
must differ in some way"
ooh, yes, my sister Is better than j.
IL seems almost Incredible that .he
mother should sometimes coufcund them,
but such was the case; as to the father,
il was i'm possible FOR him TO distinguish
them ON account OF his blindness. In
deed he did not try TO do so, for it made
no difference which was near him, since
they had the same gu ,ltties and loved
him with equal tenderness.
However, time came when he knew
one from the other He makes the dis
tinction IN this way,' tx planned the moth
er one day to ueiRhbor, when Adri.
eune was small she ten and broke her
arm. Since then il has been 50 weak that
the slightest pressure upon it gives her
pain. For this reason he always offers
her left arm TO her father, while Lucienne
gives him the right one
Fate had been cruel to this family. Mr..
Dormoy had been a sculptor upon whom
fame had smiled at an age when most
men are Just leaving the arc schools.
But wind of misery had blown upon
him rldely, and had e1unguished his
dream. The strong artificial light by
which he had worked far into the night
had blinded him, and at the age of 40 he
was obliged to abandon his art and live
despairiugi isolated and forgotten. Ter
rible check for any artist, but more terri
bic still FOR the head OF a family that
depended upon his work. His enforced /
idleuess drove comfort from his hearth |
and brought poverty in ITS stead.
This poverty was not of long duration, /
il Is true, for the sculptor had used his /
chisel till the last hour ana his wife had /
prRcticed the strictest economy. In a
few years his daughters were fuli grown, /
and beng excellent musicians they had |
had no trouble IL obtaining pupils, and /
soon they brought comparative plenty to /
the humble and sad abode OF the artist /
One evening at the supper table an |
unusual Occurtnce) the seat OF one of the I
daughters was vacant.
Perhaps Adrienne is detained by a /
new pupil" answered the mother in q /
lesitatiug tone, when her husband ask
ed which one of her children was absent. +
Did she tell you that this might be the .
'ase, asked the father.
Yes"
The next day, when the thing happen
"a, the old mans face became clouded, (
but he asked no questions. In the month I
hat followed puuctnality fed from the
household, where order had relgned, At
he must tender hour OF day, the absence
II one of the daughters was doubly felt.
Where could She beY What necessity
sept her so long from tue hearth that
ome time before she had beet so lOath
o leayeg
The poor mother pretending TO mistake
,ue for the other, now blamed Adrienne