Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-04-04
THE BLIND MANS HOUSE.

II.
1t was small, low house, situated at
the foot of an isolated garden. Few
sounds came from it aud people seldom
entered or left it. 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 a cane he
could still find his way, but it was more
prudent for him to take guide, and ne
was seldom alone when he took his after
noon walks. Sometimes his companion
was his wife, tall slender woman with a
face still young, though tired and sad !;
more often IL was one of his twin daught-
ers, Adrienne or Lucienne. They were
ravishipgly beautiful blends, of exactly
the same size; even their voices and move
ments were alike. The neighbors said
that they we're highly educated. Beyond
this they knew nothing more about them.
The blind max received only his relations
of friends, who were strangers in that
quarter. But the twins were so simply
and tastefulIy dressed, so modest and
reserved in their manners, that it 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 for the constant atten-
tions that they showed him, attentions
always so delicate that they never an
noyed the poor man, afflicted in mind
and body. It 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 womanhood this similitude had
increased so much thai everybody con-
founded them.
Are you Miss Adrienne, or Miss Luci-
eune?" they were often asked.
81 do not know myself" came the an
swer, ''but IN considering I believe that I
am either one or the other"
"Without doubt, but how can you be
distinguished from your sister? You
must differ in some way"
"Oh, yes, my sister is better than j."
Itseem almost incredible that the
mother should som etim-s confound them,
| but such was the case; as to the father,
it was i'm possible for him to distinguish
them ON account OF his blindness. In
deed he did not try to do 90, for 1t made
no difference which was near him, since
they had the sans qualities and loved
him with equal tenderness.
However, time came when he knew
one from the other. "He makes the dis
tinotion in this way" explained the moth-
er one day to a neighbor; "@hen Aari-
enne was small she fell and broke her
arm. Since then it has been so weak that
the slightest pressure upon it gives her
pain. For this reason she 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 radely, and had extlnguished his
dream. The strong artificial light by
| which ne had worked far into the night
| had blinded him, and at the age of 40 he
was obliged to abandon his art and live
despairing, isolated and forgotten. Ter
ribie check for any artist, but more terri
bic still for the head of family that
depended upon his work. His enforced
idleness drove comfort from his hearth
and brought poverty in its stead.
This poverty was not of long duration,
it is true, for the sculptor had used his
chiseI till the last hour and his wife had
practiced the strictest economy. In
few years his daughters were full grown,
| and being excellent musicians they had
had no trouble IL OBJ aiming pupils, and
soon they brought com parative plenty to
| the humble and sad abode OF the artist.
Oue evening at the supper table ian
unusual occurence) the seat of one of the
daughters was vacant.
"Pernaps Adrienpe is detained by q
new pupil" answered the mother in a
| hesitatiug tone, when her husband ask
ed which one of her children was absent.
did she tell you that this might be the
case" asked the father.
YES"
The next day, when the thing happen
| ed. the old mans face became clouded,
but he asked no questions. In the mouth
that followed punctuality fed from the
| household, where order had re1gned. At
the most tender hour of day, the absence
of one of the daughters was doubly felt.
| Where could she bef What necessity
kept her so long from the hearth that
some time before she had beer SO loath
| 10 leaver
The poor mother pretending to mistake
| Que for the other, now blamed AdrleDne
for the absence, now Lucienne, while the
/ fault lay with one alone. But the father
was not deceived, and knew the guilty one.
However, he said nothing, as he vainly
waited sn explanation, but he could Dot
hide from his wife and his daughter the
grief that he felt. Time only aggravated
the situation. The o i man always found
one of his daughters ready to devote her
self to him, but he could not be mistaken,
it was the same one; the other has disap-
peared forever.
His wife continued her ruse until one
day he said bitterly: mo more subter-
fuges; they are unworthy of you"
Some days after this, his agony master
ing him, he said TO her: <She is gone. I
| have but one daughter"