The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1891-06-18
down there under the care of that good

ssThey are very droll," said Suzanne to
the conscript in the moonlight by the studio
wall 'tShe walked always with those big
eyes that saw nothing, and yet she kisses me
on both cheeks as though she were my SIS
ter, and gives me-see-ten francs"
The conscript levied contribution on
both gifts; for he prided himself on be-
ing good soldier
Torpehhow spoke very little to Malsle
during the journey to Calais, but ne was
careful to attend to all her wants, to get
compartment entirely to herself, and
to leave her alone He was amazed at
the ease with which the matter had been &C
complished.
''The safest thing would be to let her
think things out By Dicks showing
when he was off his head-she must have
ordered him about very thoroughly. Won
der how she likes being under orders"
Maisie never told. She sat in the empty
compartment often with her eyes shut that
she might realize the sensation OF blindness.
It was en- order that she return to London
swiftly, and she found herself at last al
most beginning to enjoy the situation. This
was better than looking after trunks and
red-haired friend who never seemed to take
any interest in her surroundings. But there
seemed to be a feeling in the air that she,
Maisie, of all people, was in disgrace
Therefore she justified her conduct to her
self with great success, until TorpenhOW
came up to her on the steamer and without
preface began to tell the story of Dicks
blindness, suppressing few details, but
dwelling at length on the miseries of his de-
lirium. He stopped before he reached the
end as though he had lost interest in the
subject, and went forward to smoke.
Maisie was furious with him and with her
self.
She was hurried on from Dover to London
almost before she could ask for breakfast,
and-she was past any feeling of any indig-
nation now-was hidden CURLY to wait Ia q
hail at tho foot Of son1o load-covered stairs
while TorpenhOW went up to make in
ouiries Again the knowledge that she was
being treated like 8 naughty little girl made
her pale cheeks fame 1t was all Dicks
fault for being SO stupid as to go blind.
Torpenhow led her up to a shut deer,
which he opened very softly. Dick was sit
ting by the window with his chin on his
chest. There were three envelopes in his
hand, and he turned them over and over.
The big man who gave orders was no longer
by her side, and the studio door snapped be-
hind her.
Dick thrust the letters in his pocket as he
heard the sound. 'Hulloo, Torp! IS that
YOU? I've been so lonely"
His voice had taken the peculiar fairness
OF the blind. Maisie pressed herself up in
to a corner of the room. Her heart was
beating furiously, and she put one hand on
/, 4O Mol cto
inc directly at her. and she realized for the
first time that he was blind. Shutting her
eyes in a railway carriage to open them
when she pleased was child's play. This
man was blind though his eyes were wide
open.
''Torp, is that you. They said you were
coming" Dick looked puzzled and a little
irritated at the silence,
''No; it's only me, was the answer, IN a
strained little whisper. Maisie could hard
ly move her lips
"Hm" said Dick, composedly, without
moving. ''This is a new phenomenon.
Darkness I'm getting used to; but [ object
to hearing voices"
Was he mad, then, as we'll as blind, that
he talked to himself? Maisie's heart beat
more wildly and she breathed in gasps.
Dick rose and began to feel his way across
the room, touching each table and chair as
he passed. Once he caught his foot on a
rug, and swore, dropping on his knees to
feel what the obstruction might be. Maisie
remembered hind walking in the park as
though all the Garth belonged TO MIN
tramping up and down Der studio two
months ago, and flying W tbs gangway OF
the Channel steamer, The beating of her
heart heart was making her sick, and Dick was
coming nearer, guided by the sound OF her
breathing She put out hand mechanic
ally to ward him off or to draw him Is her
self, she did not know which. 1t touched
his chest, and he stepped back as though he
had been shot. a.sxs-r--
It's Maisie!" said he, with dry sob.
What are you doing here2"
81 caYne-I came-to see you--please."
Dicks lips closed firmly,
wont you sit down, thens You see,
I've had some bother with my eyes, and
81 know. l know. Why didn't you tell
me!"
81 couldn't write"
"You might have told Mr.. Torpenhow."
what has he to do with my affairs!n
"He-he brought me from Vitry-sur-
Marine. He thought ought to see you"
"Why, what has happened! Can l dc
anything for yous No, can't. I forgot"
ooh, Dick, I'm so sorry! Pve come to
tell you. and Let me take you back to
your chair"
Don't! I'm not a child You only dc
that out Of pity. Inever meant to tell you
anything about it. I'm no good now. I'm
down and done for Let me alone!"
He CROPPED back to his chair, his chest
iaboring as he sat down. Maisie was afraid
no more
II shan't!" she said, settling herself On
the arm Of the chair. ''You belong, now
Dickie, and I've come up all these stairs,
nd-and-and-" Here the tears began,
with unromantic snivelling and hopping OF
the cheeks. He was trembling under the
touch of her hand on his shoulder, but his
face was turned away from her.
''Dick, you aren't going to be selfish, now
I've come back? Pm sorry, Oh, I'm SC
sorryn
II knew that was all. Won't you leave
| mo al0np2 T shall have IN Suffar for this