Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1923-05-30
The Blind
Pianist
BY JOHN PALMER
20. 1923. Western Newspaper Union.)

W. 4V<o, WobloEu newspaper OulOu.)
NORA was happy, though she had
- hardly hoped for happiness when
she married John Russell In pique at
being Tilted by Evan.
John was newspaper man, ard
making handsome income. Evan had
been more or less reckless, but they
had loved each other dearly when he
went off to the war.
He had been wounded, and was to be
sent home. No indication as to the ma
ture Of his wound was given. And
Evan had come home, but he had not
been to see Dora. Instead there came
letter saying that he was In love
with another girl; asking to be re-
leased.
OF course Dora released him, and
she soothed her wounded pride by mar
rying John little later.
And John and Dora we're really
happy, and Dora felt that her former
love for Evan was only shadow Of
this, which was reality.
John was more or less bohemian,
and Dora, who had been brought up in
conventional home, enjoyed the nov
city Of their uncertain life. She liked
the chatting dish in place Of the gas
oven. So, when John suggested that
they should go down the Lower Town
district and see dance hall, Dora &C
cepted with alacrity.
The Lower Town was an old part Of
the city once the residence of the big
merchants, now given over to a sort
Of bohemian life. 1t was the haunt Of
poets and writer's, of painters and
sculptors, and there were many for
eign restaurants and dance halls In It.
Dora had been to dinner in, such places,
but she had never seen them dancing.
TITS perfectly respectable" John ex-
planned to her. "And. there are the
Queerest characters there-people you
would hardly suppose inhabited mod
ern American city.
For instance, the old lady who pre-
sides over the cloakroom at the place
I'm going to take you to was once a
famous actress. Years ago she set the
town on fire. Now-well, she's glad
enough Of her $15 a week and the tips
that are handed out to her.
"How sadw said Dora.
"Oh. no sadder than good many
other things In life" John answered
There's a sadder thing than that at
the place we're going to. as q matter
OF fact. A blind pianist"
"What, blind from birthr' asked
Dora.
Nobody knows The poor chaps
very reticent However, we don't want
to dwell on these things, do we! Let's
make for the eatsl'
They had nice little dinner. Some
how on that evening Dora was think
ing great deal about Evan. She had
answered his letter with few formal
lines. She wished now that she had
been kinder.
Evan had Tilted her in an abominable
way, but after all they had loved. he
had been frank in telling her Of his
own change Of heart, and perhaps he
had been WISE
Certainly Dora knew now that as
the wife of John she was much happier
than she could ever have been with
Evan.
"What are you thinking Of, dear?"
Dora started, and saw her husband
smiling at her.
She cOlored She made some excu e.
She had never told John about Evan.
Most women keep things like that in
the background. Though there was no
particular reason why she should not
have told him.
They went out of the restaurant to
the dance hail. Dora was prepared for
something terrible, a Shocking orgy"
as she explained to John long after
ward. But 1t was, as her husband had
said, perfectly respectable place, and
the stout motherly, white-haired wom-
an at the cloakroom smiled at her in
the most friendly way.
Far up plano was humping, and
there were couples whirling on the
floor. They waited till the dance was
finished. StenogrnpherS and clerks,
Dora sized up the dancers as being.
"Come and see the blind pianist,
said John.
Dora accompanied him up the floor
Of the dance room to where the pianist
sat with his fingers idle on the keys.
1t was Evan.
And suddenly she knew the tragedy
Of the man blinded in the war, and
horror and pity at the sacrifice left
her dumb.
81 want you to meet my wife, old
chap" said John.
Evan put out his hand. But Dora
could not take it. Nor could she
speak. She moved away. I'm sitting
here" she whispered.
Sorry you didn't shake hands with
- T@L,