The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1911-06-12
BLOSSOMS
LITTLE PAL
The Change Time Wrought In
\ the Two Companions.
BY ETHEL HARRINGTON.

SuuALEA AuIlplLioHShiEs LAS sIhaii ga
nuty snfficing for cheap lodging and
meals at a neighboring restaurant. Il
was terrible beyond expression to ia
blind. TO be dragged back TO life when
the fever had so denuded him. Exist
ence was barren. useless, hopeless, and
| when he prayed 1t was for death
One day. tripping as he climbed the
stairs, he felt the help OF baby hands.
"You counted wrong reproved a
childish voice. u did t'uver night III
the dark"
Whats your name?" he demanded
shortly.
Dora. Who's your
'Iohn Blossom"
"Pretty name. Bend down" Then.
whispering In bis ear. II shall call you
Blossom" she scampered away. sing
ing back mischievously. Blossom
B-i-o-s-s- ON"
1t was week before they met
again. The mans mood was desper
ate. ''You is frownin' awful. Bios
SON." piped the shrill voice. but you
can't frigbten 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 intc
his room and slammed the door. Seat
ed ON his cot, he clinched bis 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 itT be half shouted. his
nerves strained to the point OF frenzy
"Just me. Blossom Muyer says you
is exceptions" Then In the silence the
childs eyes roved over the room anc
lighted on the table Uttered with ia
pers. Does you writer" Her tone he
tokened interest. Blossoms hands
moved aimiessly. Write. write?
That's precisely what l can't do. curse
itw 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 dearP she sympathized in an
old fashioned manner.
"Its dark, Dora-neVer any light
That's why cannot write" His voice
broke with half sob.
"lm dreadful sorry. Let me do ii
for you. print now. and learn fast
See If don't" She tossed the papers
aside and climbed into a chair. sucking
loudly at tile pencil to make 1t black
What will we write. Blossom RE
ceiving no answer, she looked up Eel
companions head was niliowed on his
arms. His shoulders heaged Could q
man cry even as she sometimes did
Dora scrambled to her feet ana bur
ried from the room. to return few
minutes later flushed and breathless
Here's Miss ArabeIIar she cried
thrusting doll into the mans hands
when get cryin' | just bold heI
tight, She comforts lots. Muvers cab
in Hold Arabela close, BloSsom"
The doll became the first link In
strange friendship. which grew wifi
Blossom brought wonderful tales gu.
of the storehouse OF his imagination
frequently In verse that he strung to
gether during wakefui boufs " tii
night. Dora listened and remembered
As she had said, she learned fast Sine
was barely twelve when she recalled
her promise. Il write truly now. FER
me what to write"
Blossom smiled sadly, declaring thu
desire dead, but she insisted ana 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 hac
been smothered in darkness and uncer
tainty suddenly developed. and the
poet came into his own. In time "our
poetry" as Dora called it. verses With
exquisite rhythm. in round childish
chirography. found their way into ed
ftors' hands and caused comment.
So the years passed, and Blossom
counted each anniversary as it came.
| Fifteen today" he said Oh one coca
| sion. signing heavily. Il wish SO |
could see you ouce-just once"
Dora raised her head from copying,
1t was unusual for Blossom to chat
before the dictation was completed.
How do you look?" continued the
blind man. directing his sightless gaze
toward her.
"Whose decision shall rendery
Dora laughed deliciously. Mother says
a big girl Aunt Helen 'gawky,' but
Tom insists pretty"
"Of course Tom IL right. Well. here
Is my remembrance" Fumbling in bis
pocket, he brought out little case,
disclosing gold locket With dla-
mond set in It's heart shape.
"Oh. Blossom, how lovely! But what
extravaganza! You cant afford IL"
"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 1t