South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-10-16
The Blind Man Next Door
By Vincent C. Perry

objoct2 Was he thief or a
maniac or bothe
She entered the house and went
90 tho room that overlooked his
garden She would solve the mys-
terry Dr. shc had to stay at the win
dow an day, she resolved After she
had watched nearly an hour and
Lawrence had continued his read
iLc. his servant came out and help
ed him on with his coat. The ser
want was in on IL. too. a big car
drew up TO his gate-she could sec
Do AN quite plainly Lawrence hur-
r.edly drew his glasses over his eyes
and the servant led him TO the car.
The car drove away.
Jean did not hesitate momen:
without hat or coat she raced for
her roadster and was out in the
road in pursuit Of the large car be-
fore it was out Of sight. After "a
long chase the car drew up at the
largest theater in the city Jean
stopped her car farther up the
lead Lawrence toward the stage en-
trance She had f., He was an ac-
tor and was playing blind 10 get a
grant from the Disabled Actors
fund. To think that she had
thought so much Of such a rogue,
But she would expose him, she de
clared 20 herself
She had played in a minor role
a. that theater before she was
star and knew IL we'll Into the
stage door she went and found her
self behind the scenes. She located
Lawrence's voice. She would ex-
pose him before them ALL She wa
about TO step out from the wings
when she caught sight OF her blind
friend The black glasses were Off
his eyes and he was arguing with
the manager. What wonder was
this? She was all wrong. after all,
She listened 20 the conversation.
III not wear them another day.
tell YOU" Lawrence was saving
"For two months I've worn these
things and played blind just for at
mosphere. I've found out how a
blind man sees things and I've
learned to be led and walk like a
blind man. That is all that is nee
essary.' He was angry.
But il was your idea in the first
place. Dick. when YOU decided 10
play that blind mans part next
month" the manager laughed. You
started-it and YOU wagered you'd
stick 10 il for three months. though
[ bet YOU YOU wouldn't You car
quit now if YOU like but I claim the
wager"
Wager be hanged" Lawrence
shouted All I'm afraid Of is that
it has queered me with the finest
girl on earth She thinks I'm blind
and. if I'm not nightly mistaken
has learned TO think a lot of the
blind man. and hang il all. I think
lot of her, too. If I thought
could win her any other way I'd go
and have my plagued eyes put out.
1T is not at all necessary to do
that" Jean stepped from the wings.
smiling sweetly. Lawrence stepped
back dismayed
why YOU. are Jean Temple of
the Who's Who company It's a
wonder I didn't know you but I've
only seen your picture and this is
the first time I've seen your face,
he said. eXcitedly.
Yes it's a wonder l didn't know
YOU. and I would have If it hadn't
been for those glasses. I've never
seen YOU play. though, but I've
heard lots about YOU"
Did YOU hear what I just said
an Of it," he asked a trifle shyly.
Yes" she. replied. sweetly Il
heard IL all and I am glad 1 follow
ed YOU here. for had made up my
mind this morning that YOU were a
thief or some other dreadful thing.
7 like YOU much better without
those dreadful glasses. Let's go
some place where we can have
good look at one another-the stage
hands are all staring at us