The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-03-17
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
The Blind Man Next Door.
BY VINCENT G. PERRY.
Copyright 1917, by the Mcclure News
paper syudicate-)

door: II was tenanted al last one
bad wondered why someone had not
moved into Il before, but now she hop
ca they were nice people. 1t would
Be- too bad II there were family OF
boys to tease her dogs; or worse STILL
oi6 maids who didn't like dogs, she
thought. Her little home had proved
such, q haycu Of rest to her that she
couldn't bear 70 think Of anything com
tx TO mar the happiness OF It Next
10 her DOES, Jean loved her home. 1t
vas q new experience for her to live
IKE other people, for she had been
On the stage since childhood and had
found few Of the comforts Of home life.
Her desire for q little bungalow like
The one she mad had acted as the spaTR
70 kindle her ambition to reach the
pinnacle Of stGrdom that she had at
tanned. Once there she played season
after season in one theatre and was
abIo to have her coveted home.
Morning liter morning Jean rose
10 look at the cottage next door, but
she did not see anyone stir within.
Tho change in the position Of the
blinds was the only evidence that she
had that t,lc house was tenanted. 1t
was unfortunate she had to leave for
rehearsal every morning before her
neiEhbors We, c up. she thought for it
was curious about them.
The frs Sunday Jean had at home
Ihe decided tc become acquainted with
the dWeller' of the rose-covered cot
tage. It was early afternoon before
she saw slc'.s Of their being up. Frol-
ic, her pet poodle. had never Jumped
from her window before, but he mana
ged to do 50 this afternoon, aided by
q gentle shove from his mistress; and
landed In the next yard. Jean thought
Il hardly diginified to follow Frolic,
through ii" window, but lost no time
IN securing step ladder and scaling
the wall that separated the gardens.
Frolic had always been an obedient
little dog, but this afternoon he was
very hard u catch. Up to the front
Of the coCta"e he went and into the
open door jean after him.
She stopp3,' as she entered the front
room Of the cottage. She could feel
there was someone there, but she
didn't dare look up.
ooh, pardon me-" she painted.
"FTollc jumped out OF my window,
next door. and ran in here. Come
here this Instant, Frolic, you naughty
fellow. vas so afraid he would be
burt" She did not look up to see If
she was addressing man, woman or
child, but she felt it was man.
"He will not get hurt here. There
Is nothing OF no one to harm him."
said one Of tle most charming mascu-
line voices sic had ever heard.
She looked up and faced tall, we'll
built man. lie was blind, she saw at
asglance, aad her conscience smote
her for the deception she had played.
His man-serrant, apparently the only
other occupant OF the cottage, secur.
cd Frolic ana returned him to Jane.
am sony to have intruded," she
apologized. II am used to coming into
these grounds when the house was un-
tenanted."
you are not intru6ing under the
circumstances" the blind man said
pleasantly. Please stay and chat a
little. 1t is 50 lonely here. You are
neighbo: SO Il won't be out OF place,
will it?'
She could not refuse an afflicted
man-and one so good lookins-and
stayed. Taat was the beginning Of a
great friendship between the two. The
dogs were almost forgotten and, left
% the care Of jeans maid because
their mistress needed her every snare
neur to Visit her blind neighbor. He
Yasia wonderful man, she thought. and
otten pictured what his eyes were like
before he had become afflicted He
wore hide, is-locking black glasses
mat seemed out Of place ON such
masnincent face. He never talked Of
himself His name was Mr.. Lawrence
Snat' was all she knew. To question
nun about himself and his aff1ictton
would pain Kim, she was sure. and .shn
RETAINED rom doing so. He did mot
ask her about herself and she did mt
thiak It would interest him to tell
Rehearsals were suspended one day,
Unexpectedly. Jean decided to surprise
III. Lawrence with a visit. His ears
had become quite keen of late, she
had noticed, and he could always tell
der step wnen she entered the front
rate, so 20 make her surprise COMPLETE
she brought the ladder into use once
ll0fe end entered his grounds by seal
Ing the wall. Picture her surprise
when she saw her blind friend sitting
under q trVc with his glasses high on
BIS forehead, calmly reading a news
gsger. ae hsd not heard her neither
d4d.he hear her retreat.
Once back on her own side OF tho
van, Jean soL down on q bench and
Easped. To think he had been deceiv
Inc her! And she thought 50 much
q hmi What could be his object?
Was he thiSf or a maniac or both?
& She entered the house aE5 went to
he foom III. overlooked his garden.
Bhe would Eoive the mystery II she
had % star at that window al day.
kften she tai watched nearly an hour
aHd L>enee had continued his read
Ing, his seTvzont came out and helped
Nm On with his coat The servant
as n ON It too. A big car drew up
10 he Gtae-she could see It all quite
plainly. lawrence quickly drew his
LasBes over his eyes and the servant
led him to the car. Tho car drove
sway.
lean did not hesitate moment.
without hGs or coat she raced for her
goGdsteF and was out IN the road be-