The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1891-06-25
BLIND.
New York Herald.

All Paris was oppressed by that
overpowering heat which often pre-
cedes 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 the unexpect-
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 Duhou-such was the young
girls name-was 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 thunderstorm that he
| had hardly noticed the girl when a
dazzling flash of lightning, followed
immediately by terrible peal OF
thunder, illuminated the street and at
the same instant shrill cry rang
through the air.
'Merciful Heavenl' exclaimed the
young girl, II cannot sect is all dark
the lightning has burnt my eyes
am blind"
Instances OF this kind, though com
paratively rare, are by no means un
known in the history of medicine; sud
den blindness caused by a stroke o
lightning is sometimes durable, but
when it results from paralysis OF th'
optic nerve there is but little chance o
recovery.
A flood of tears followed the sigh
and means OF the terrified girl as sh
reflected that she could no longer carr
, her living. She could not even find he
way home without help. What wa
, to become OF her? Must she beg he
bread?
Bertrand Camusard was a youn
clerk, and being accustomed to tn
: designations of Paris, was ever on tn
, watch for trick. When, therefore
the young girl bemoaned her fate, h
looked at her curiously. Her fac
: was not in the least dishgured, I'll
, large dark eyes shone brilliantly,
slight flush relieved the whiteness
her skin, and her features were sma
and regular. She was very pretty, /
found,
"Is there no one to help me?' 81
said piteously, extending her hand.
"DO not cry, mademoiselle," a.
swered Bertrand, in a soothing ton
81 will take you home asif | were you
dog"
ooh, thank you, SIR
I "Where do you live?"
d cat No. 1876, Lacondamine Street
"That is close to my house." sa
Bertrand to himself, then he add
i aloud, "rhe rain has stopped, w
you take my arm?'
As they walked the young man loo
| ed at his fair charge in surprise; If s
was acting part, she was doing 1T
perfection. Leaning on his arm in
: charmingly coniiding way, she to
him that she was an orphan, that
had lately arrived from the count
with no baggage excepting letter
recommendation to q large establi'
ment where she had received emplc
ment.
Her companion paid but little
tention to her recital, and made q |
} testing remarks about the whiten'
, of her dimpled hands and the beco
. ingness OF her costume, for he W
= firmly convinced that the girl W
. playing trick on him. At la
= wearied by her sad air. he determlr
Q to Great q diversion, and also to sh
n her that he was too thoroughly
0 Partisan to be easily uupeu.
"Let us 90 and have glass OF bee
4 he said gaily.
! With an exclamation of dismay
i. girl let 90 his arm and stood still
n ooh do not try to beso high flow
&c he said, taking her arm to lead her
IS But Martha drew back IN affri
n, and cried aloud
So "Help, helpl"
es At the sound of her voice anot
b. man, a well-built fellow, came to
to rescue, exclaiming-
81 "Let her go, you rascal"
IS. He dealt such hard blows upon
shoulders of Bertrand Camusard t
the latter thought best to go his
.. without arguing the matter.
= Martha then told her story to
newcomer, who in his turn inforl
out her that his name was Pierre Car
out and that he was bookkeeper in thu
The fee of the Western Railway. He
nks not, however, mention the fact of
t be having been wounded in the face
she ing the war of 1870, and OF his
INV. bearing frightful scar.
In Being deeply interested in the !
nilv less girl who had talked and list'
1tar to him without knowing of his disfie
"a ment. which had always rendered
1hu' ,a,uleive tn women he took he