Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-07-02
BLIND.

ONeTpOWeIiIIS iiedN "hiNh oi'0i' P-N
cedes a July storm. Low rumblings
of thunder, like the distant roaring OF
a lion in the desert, kept coming near
er until the storm-clouds broke with
the sharp, crashing noise OF splitting
planks.
The next minute large rain-drops
began to pelt the faces OF the passers,
and to speckle with gray spots the
dusty granite OF the sidewalks.
A pretty brunette, about twenty
years old, over-taken by heunexpect-
ed shower, FASTENED to seek refuge in
hospitable doorway.
Her clothing was not such as could
be very seriously injured by the in
clement weather; indeed, her attire
was extremely simple, and indicative
of the strictest possible economy. A
plain dress OF black merino, well fit
ted and tastefully made, and a straw
hat trimmed with peoples, showed
her to be one of those little sewing
girls whose honest poverty obliges
them to make their own clothes.
Martha Dufou-s was the young
girls name-was a pink OF neatness
from her bare white hands to her
carefully polished low shoes.
1t was only ten O'Clock at
night, and the street was almost
deserted A young man came hurry
ing along, and although he had an UNI
brella he ran for shelter from the rain
to the doorway where Martha stood.
He was so absorbed in watching the
progress of the thunderst orm that he
had hardly noticed the girl when a
dazzling flash of lightning, followed
immediately by a terrible pea! OF
thunder, illuminated the street and at
the same instant shrill cry rang
through the air.
"Merciful Heaven.' exclaimed the
young girl, II cannot sect is all dark
the lightning has burnt my eyes-1
am blind.'
Instances of this kind, though COM
paratively rare, are by no means un-
known in the history ofmedicine; sud
den blindness caused by a stroke of
lightning is sometimes durable, but
when it results from paralysis of the
optic nerve there is but little chance of
recovery.
A flood OF tears followed the signs
and means 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. What was
to become of her? Must she beg her
bread?
Bertrand Camusard was a young
clerk, and being accustomed to the
designations of Paris, was ever on the
watch for trick. When, therefore,
the young girl bemoaned her fate, he
looked at her cu,iously Her face
was not in the least distigured, The
large dark eyes shone brilliantly, a
slight flush relieved the whiteness OF
her skin, and her features We're small
and regular. She was very pretty, he
found,
SIS there no one to help me?' she
said piteously, extending her hand.
"Do not cry, mademoiselle," an.
swered Bertrand, in a soothing tone
IL will take you home sit l were your
dog"
"Oh, thank you, sir"
"Where do you live?"
AT No. 1926, Lacondamine Street. y
THAT is close to my house." saiG
Bertrand to himself, then he added
aloud, 1.-The rain has stopped, vii
you take my ARM"
AS they walked the young man look
ed at his fair charge in surprise; if sht
was acting part, she was doing it te
perfection. Leaning on his arm in 8
charmingly contiding way, she TOLD
him that she was an orphan, that sh.
had lately arrived from the country
with no baggage excepting letter o
recommendation to a large establish
ment where she had received employ
ment.
Her companion paid but little at
tention to her recital and made few
testing remarks about the whitenes:
of her dimpled hands and the becom
ingness of her costume, for he was
firmly convinced that the girl wa.
playing a trick on him. At last
wearied by her sad air. he determined
to Great a diversion, and also to SHOW
her that he was too thoroughly {
Partisan to be easily duped.
LET us go and havea glass OF beer,
he said Gaily.
With an exclamation OF dismay tn,
girl let 60 his arm and stood still.
"Oh do not try to be so high flown,
he said, taking her arm to lead her on
But Martha drew back in affrigh
and cried aloud
Help, help
AZ the sound of her voice anothe
man, a well-built fellow, came to he
rescue, eXclaiming-
Let her go, you rascal"
He dealt such hard blows upon tn
shoulders of Bertrand Camusard tina
| the latter thought best to 60 his wa,
without arguing the matter.
Martha then told her story to tn
newcomer, who in his turn informe,
| her that his name was Pierre earlier
and that he was hookkeeper in the OF
fee OF the Western Railway. He dix
| not, however, mention the fact of hi
having been wounded in the face dur