West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1890-03-13
BLIND!

All Paris was oppressed by that over
powering heat which often precedes q
July storm. Low rumblings OF thunder.
like the distant roaring of lion in tho
desert kept coming nearer. until the
storm clouds broke with the sharp
crashing noise of splitting planks.
The next minute large rain.drops be.
gan TO pelt the faces OF the passers. and
to speckle with gray drops the dusty
granite OF the sidewalks.
pretty brunette about twenty wears
old, overtaken by the unexpected show
er, hostened to seek refuge in a hospita.
bic doorway.
Her clothing was not such as could be
very seriously injured by the inclement
weather, indeed her attire was extremely
simple, and indicative of the strictest
possible economy. A plain dress of
black mcrino, we'll fitted and tasteiully
made, and straw hat trimmed with
poppies, showed her 90 be one of those
little sewing girls whose honest power
ty obligcs them 20 make there own
clothes. Martha Dudou, such was the
young girls name, was pink of neat
ness, from her bare white hands TO her
carefully polished low shoes.
II was only ten o'clock at night. and
the street was almost deserted. A Young
man came hurrying along, and al
though he had an umbrella. he ran for
shelter from the rain TO the doorway
where Martha stood. He was so alb
sorbed in watching the progress of the
thunderstorm that he had hardly noticed
the girl when dazzling flash of light.
ming, followed Immediately by terrible
peal of thunder, illuminated the street.
and at the same instant Il shrill cry rsnf,
through the air.
"Merciful Heaven exclaimed the
young girl, ~ cannot sect is all DARK
the lightning has burnt my cyes-G am
blindw
Instances of this kind, though com.
paratiyely rare, are by no means unknown
in the history OF medicine, sudden blind
ness caused by stroke of lightning is
sometimes durable, but when il results
from paralysis of the optic nerve there is
but little chance Of recovery.
A Hood of tears followed the sighs and
noons of the terrified girl as she reflected
that she could no longer earn her living.
She could not even find her way home
without help-wbat was 10 become Of
her-must she beg her bread!
Bertrand Camusard was Young clerk
and being accustomed 10 the dissipations
Of Paris, was ever on the watch for n
trick. When, therefore. tho young girl
bemoaned her fate, he looked at her curl
ously. Her face was not in the least dis.
figured, the large dark eyes shone brill
iantly, q slight flush relieved the white
ness OF her skin, and her features were
small and regular--she was very pretty,
he found
'ls there no one 10 help 2" she
said, piteously, extending her hand
dot not cry, Madcmoisellc, an
swercd Bertrand in n soothing tone. ,T
will take you home as IL l were your
dog"
"Oh, thank YOU, sir 4
"Where do you livei" l
"At l26 Lacondamine street"
"That is close 10 my house" said
Bertrand 90 himself and then he added
aloud, "the rain has stopped, will you
take my ARM"
As they walked, ihc young man looked
at his fair charge i'm SURPRISE il she was
acting part she was doing it to periec-
tion. Leaning on his arm. in charm
ingly cOnhding way, she told him that
she was an orphan, that she had lately
arrived from the country with no bag
gage excepting letter Of recommenda-
ton to a large establishment where she
had received employment.
Her listener paid but little heed TO her
recital end made a fow iesting remarks
about the whiteness Of her dimplcd hands.
and the becomingncss Of her costume. for
be- was firmly convinced that the girl was
trying to play q trick on him. At iasf
wearied by her sad air, he determined to
create diversion, and to show her that
he YVES too thoroughly a Pausian 20 bc so
easily dupcd
''I.ct us go and have glass of beer.
be said gaily, and with an exclamation
Of dismay the girl let 60 of his arm aud
stood still.
"Oh, do not try to be 50 high flown q"
he added. takiog hold Of her to lead her
on, but Martha drew back in alright and
cried aloud. "Help, help"
At thc sound Of her voice, another man.
n well-built fellow. como n her rescue.
cxclaiming
"Lct go Of hor, you rascal :" and deal
such strong blows upon tho shoulders OF
Bertrand Camusard that the latter
thought best to go his way without ar
guing the matter
Martha tien told her story 10 the new
conner, who, in his turn, informed her
that his name was Pierre earlier and that
he was book keeper 10 the office Of the
Western Railway lie did not however.
mention the fact Of his having been
wounded in the face during the war of
1870, and Of bis still bearing q fhgmlul
scar.