The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-05-01
By Ethel harrington

me-
IF you are not scared come and talk
to me Bit
"Muver don't low me in dodgers
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 timid rap, whereat some one en-
tered, whom he could not recognize.
What is itf" 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. Does you writer" Her tone be-
tokened interest. Blossoms hands
moved aimlessly Write, writef
That's precisely what can't DO. curse
itr' There before him lay the work
begun In pride and hope. now shatter-
ed by 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 dearr 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.
I'm dreadful sorry. Let me do It
for you. print now. and learn fast.
See If l 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. BlossomT' Re-
ceiving no answer, she looked up. Her
companions head was pillowed on his
arms. His shoulders heaved. Could q
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 breataless.
Here's Miss ArabellaY' she cried,
thrusting a doll into the mans hands.
when get cryin' l just hold her
tight. She comforts lots. Muver's call
ing. Hold Arabella close, Blossom"
The doll became the first link in
strange friendship, which grew with
years. For the child's amusement
Blossom brought wonderful tales out
Of the storehouse of his Imagination,
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 phrasings that haunted him, and
the dormant passion revived. 1t 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 It, verses with ex-
quisite rhythm, In round childish CHI
Biography, found their way into editors
hands and caused comment.
So the years passed. and Blossom
counted each anniversary as it came.
Fifteen today" be said on one oc-
casion, signing heavily. Il wish so
could see you once-just once"
Dora raised her head from copying;
1t was unusual for Blossom to chat be-
fore the dictation was completed.
How do you look?" continued the
blind man, directing his sightless gaze
toward her
Whose decision shall renderT'
Dora laughed deliciously. Mother
says big girl Aunt Helen CAVITY
but Tom insists pretty"
"Of course Tom Is right Well, here
Is my remembrance" Fumbling In bis
pocket, he brought out little case,
disclosing a gold locket with a dia.
mond set in its heart shape.
"Oh, Blossom, how lovelyl But what
extravaganza. You can't afford It"
You mistake. | have more money
than need, little PAL
The girl slipped the slender chain
about her neck and gave the clasp into
his hands; then as he clumsily fitted it
together she threw her arms about his
neck and kissed him. His pulses throb-
bed riotouslT at the warm touch OF her
lips, and he hardly dared trust himself
to kiss her In return
Strangely enough. 1t was the last ca
ress she offered From that birthday
she seemed to leave childhood behind,
and the man suffered in the change
He grew to dread the succeeding years.
His pal was growing into womanhood,
and so farther away from him. He
could have lived luxuriously had he de-
sired, but he chung to the old lodging.
Critics and public alike acknowledged
his genius, yet the whole world was
bound up In Dora to the blind author
Dora, whose voice was as music, whose
step he could distinguish in a million.
He encouraged her to talk about her
friends. her ambitions, and-yes, he
made her tell him about Tom, too
Tom, who had grown to be a man and
on whom Dora's mother looked with
favor.
Il must be going now said Dora,
after a fruitless afternoon, Blossom
having been unable to settle to the
task.
tom comingT
Yes" Her voice was little tired.
Blossom noticed 1t.
You have not quarreledT
Tom never will. Blossom, do you
want me to marry TomT'
Marry" The attack was sudden
Marry! It's beautiful when young
people love enough for that. But your
mother were better consulted am
only an old bachelor"
You are my pal" persisted the girl
impatiently. Mother married young
She thinks l should. butt don't want
to be hurried
"Quite right" began Blossom quick
ly. Then, pulling himself together,
Toms nice boy He will make a
good husband
"He is all you say. suppose l shall
take him. Blossom, | know he Is going
to ask me tonight" The girl hung over
the back of her friends chair. He
could feel her breath on his cheek, but
1t was pity be could not see the look
In her eyes. Blossom gripHed the arm