Connecticut western news., 1906-07-12
Blossoms
 Little Pal By Ethel Burlington CopgrSsas, Eaa6, hy F. C, Prrools
By Ethel Barrinaton
CopSrSoa;, 1908 ss E, c, PrrcoIs

ped. EmbltTerJI and sensitive. he summed companionShip, his small an, nuity suficing for a cheap lodging and meals at a neishhoring restaurant. Ii was terrible beyond expression to be blind, to be dragged back to life when the fever had so denuded him. Exist ence was barren, useless, hopeless, and when he prayed il was for death.
 One day. tripping as he climbed the stairs, he felt the help of baby hands. You counted wrorg" reproved a childish voice. Il did fuver night in the dark"
 Whats your nameg' he demanded shortly.
 -.Dora- Who's you:'
 -sJohn Blossom
 Pretty namc. Bend down" Then whispering in his ear. II shall call you Blossom" she scampered away, sing ing back mischieyously. ''Blossam- Blossom
 It was week before they met again. The mans mood was desperate You is frownin' awful Blossom" piped the shrin voice, but you can't frighten me-
 If you are not scared come and talk to me bit"
 s'Muyer don't low me in lodgers' rooms" Blossom felt the rebuff. and. reaching the top floor. stumbled into his room and slammed the door. Seat ed on his cot he clinched his hands in the agony of his helpleSsness.
 Come" he cried sharply in answer to a timid rap. whe-eat some one en- tered. whom he could not recognize What Is ity' he half shouted. his nerves strained to the point of frenzy.
 Just me, Blossom Muver says you Is exceptions" Then in the silence the child's eyes roved over the room and lighted on the table Uttered with pa pers- Docs you writer" Her tone be tokened interest Blossoms hands moved aimlessly. Write, write: That's precisely what can't Go. curse it- There before him lay the work begun in pride and hope, now shatter- ed by a darkness worse than death. He was recalled to the present by the pressure of small arms resting on his knees as the child looked up into his despairing face
 Poor dear- she sympathized in an old fashioned manner.
 Its dark. Dora-never any light. That's why I cannot write" His voice broke with half sob.
 ~rm dreadful sorry. Let me do it for you. I print now. and learn fast See if I don't" She tossed the papers aside and climbed into a chair, sucking loudly at the pencil to make 1t black. 'What will we write, RloSSomT' Re ceiving no answer. she looked up. Her companions head was pillowed on his arms. His shoulders heaved. Could a man cry even as she sometimes did: Dora scrambled to her feet and hur- ried from the room. to return a few minutes later flushed and breathless.
 Here's Miss Arabella-' she cried. thrusting doll into the mans hands. 'When I get cryin' I just hold her tight She comforts lots. Nuve-'s call ing. Hold Arabella close, Blossom
 The doll became the first link in a strange friendship, which grew with years. For the child's amusement Blossom brought wonderful tales out of the storehouse of his imagina ton. frequently in verse that he strung to- gether during wakefUl hours Of the night. Dora listened and remembered As she had said. she learned fast She was barely twelve when she recalled her promise. Il write truly now. Tell me what to write"
 Blossom smiled sadly. declaring the desire dead. but she insisted and coax ed until he yielded. repeating some of the phrasincs that haunted hiIa. and the dormant passion revived It was new birth to the man. and the girl be- came his eyes. as the gift that had been smothered in darkness and uncer tainty suddenly developed. and the poet came into his own. In time 'our poet ry." as Dora called il. verses with ex- quisite rhythm. in round childish chi rogsaphy. found their way into editors hands and caused comment
 So the years passed. and Blossom counted each anniversary as 1t came. Fifteen today" he said on one oc- casion. signing heavily. ''I wish so I could see you once-iuSt once
 Dora raised her he-.,a from copying: II was unusual for Blossom to chat ba- fore the dictation was completed How to you looS:" continued the blind man, directing his sightiees gaze toward her.
 "whose decision shall I rea3erT Dora laughed delic!ouSly. Mother says a big girl Aunt Helen 'sawky,' but Tom insists pretty"
 -'Of course Tom is right Well, here is my remembrance" FumblinS in his pocket. he brought out little case, disclosing a gold locket with dia- mond set in its heart shape.
 ''Oh. Blossom, how lovely. But what extravaganza. You can't afford it.
 You mistake. I have more money than I need. little pal''
 The girl slipped the slender chain about her neck and gave the clasp into his hands: then as he clumsily fitted il together she threw her arms about his neck and kissed him. His pulses throb- bed riotously at the warm touch of her lips. and he hardly dared trust himself to kiss her in return.
 Al