The Washington times., 1906-08-26
BLIND MANS HOLIDAY By 0. henry

liant hued hnery. ribbons, silks. and
misty dTapeTy. And then he caught
the meaning OF that Earring hum. and
he saw the tired, pale. happy face OF
his wife bending. as were ii score OF
others. over her sewing machine-toiI-
ing. toilIng- Here was the folly she
pursued, and the end OF his quest.
But not his deliverance, though even
then rem0rse struck him His shamed
soul futtered once more before Il re-
tired 70 make room for the other and
better one. For. 20 temper his thrill
OF joy the shine Of the satin and the
glimmer Of ornaments recalled the dis
turbiHg ngure OF the bespangled ANA
zon, and the base duplicate histories lit
by the glare OF foOtlights and stolen
diamonds. II is past the wisdom OF
him who only sets the scenes, either
10 praise or blame the man. But this
time his love Overcame MS scrupIes.
He took a quick step, and reached out
bis hand for the doorknob Father
Rogan was quicker 10 arrest il and
draw him back
You use my trust in you Queerly.''
said the priest stsrnIy. What are
you about 10 dO2"
son. Let me pass"
Listen" said the priest, holding him
firmly by the. arm. Il am about 70
put you IN possession OF a piece OF
knowledge OF which. thus Jar. Won
have scarcely proved deserving. Z do
not think you ever Will: but 7 VIII not
dwell upon that You see IN that room
the woman YOU married. working for q
frugal living for herself and a gen
erous comfort for an id0Iized brother.
This building belongs 20 the chief COS
tuner OF the city. For months the ad-
vance orders for the coming Afardt
Gras festivals have kept the work 90
Ing DAY and night I myself secured
employment here for Norah She tolls
here each night from o'clock until
daylight. and. besides. carries home
with her some OF the finer costumes
requiring more delicate needIswork.
and works there part OF the day.
somehow. you two have remained
strangely ignorant Of each others
lives Are you convinced now that
your wife IS not walking the streets7'
Let me 80 TO her" cried I.ortaon-
again struggling. and beg her forgive
nessrf
me nothing? Be quiet Il seems 60
often that Heaven lets fall its choicest
gifts into hands that must be taught
10 hold them Listen again. You for
Eot that re9entant sin must not com
promise. but look up. for redemption.
70 the purest and best. You went 70
her with the fne-spun sophistry that
peace could be found IN a mutual
guilt, ana she. fearful Of losing what
her heart so craved. thought IT worth
the price 10 buy II with a desperate,
pure beautiful lie. 7 have known her
since the day she was born: she is as
innocent and unsuuled in life and deed
as a holy saint In that lOWly street
where she dwells she first saw tho
light. and she has lived there ever
since spending her days in generous
self-sacrihCe for others. Och. We spal-
peenr' continued Father Rogan. rails
ing his finger In kindly anger at Lori
son What for. I wonder. could she
be afther making a fool OF hersilf. ana
shsmin' her swate soul with lies. for
the like Of you."
"Slr" said Lorison. trembling. Say
what YOU please OF me Doubt II as
YOU must 7 will vet prove my graft
tude 20 YOU. and my devotion 20 her
But let me speak 10 her once now. yet
me knesl for Just one moment at her
feet. and"
Tut. tutI' said the priest How
many acts OF a love drama DO you
think an old bookworm Ike me capa-
bic of Witnessing? Besides, what kind
Of figures do we cut. spying upon tho
mysteries of midnight millinery! Go
10 meet your wife tomorrow. as shs
ordered you. and obey her thereafter
end maybe some time l shall get FOR
giveness for the part I have played IN
this nights work. on wild yez down
the shtairs. nowl IT'S late. and an
ould man ike me should be taHin' his
rest"
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