The Washington times., 1937-10-08

care for her blind child for always?
80 'Toniette adored her Emile
and he worshiped her.
"On this evening, Emile had
something other than his love to
relate. He had a new customer
from uptown who he had discov-
cred was a famous physician and
who was reputed to have cured
many blind people.
He was anxious that this man
should use his skill upon his loved
ones eyes.
But "Toniette laughed at his
concern. Why trouble, my dear
one-it may be hopeless. I am
happy as I am.
"'Why should I wish to see?
Have 1 not everything in having
you, my adored?' she said in her
gentle way.
But Emile was not to be denied.
He consulted with Madame, the
mother. She was fearful also, OF
the outcome. Of course, it would
be wonderful, divine, to restore the
sight of her blind daughter.
Her heart leaped with joy at
the thought, but she was a good
woman also, as well as a loving
mother.
"'Have you realized, Emile,
what this may mean to you she
questioned him kindly.
Even good Father SEVERE was
doubtful of the wisdom of trying
to make "Toniette see.
But Emile Duvalle was a man
of great determination, as well as
a man of great love. He would
not be denied in his hope Of bring
ing sight to the eyes Of the girl
he loved better than life itself.
$50 at last, all was made ready
and the great surgeon came down
into the quarter to Madame's
home and the operation was per-
formed.
"Emile's many friends shrugged
their shoulders behind his back
and remarked, He should have
been pleased with the way the
good God had so kindly arranged
things for him!
REGAINS SIGHT
"After a few days they loosed
the bandages. "Tonie0te began to
see and to comprehend the things
she saw. She asked constantly to
see Emile but he did not come.
"He only sent messages. He
put her off from day to day with
first one excuse and then another.
Finally, one morning early, he
came. It was before she had
arisen. She could hear his loved
voice speaking in the next room.
Her mother could hardly restrain
her to a proper decorum.
"She could not wait to run to
him, her adored one! She would
now see at last the perfect lover,
who had made her life so sweet:
1.-THE agony Of soul Emile was
enduring while waiting was be-
yond description.
1.-The door opened. "Toniette
ran into the room. Where was he?
Sitting in a blaze Of morning
sunshine was a small middle-aged
man. Even when seated, the ter
rible disfiguring crookedness OF
his back could be seen. His eyes
were raised to the girl in an
agony of doubt and fear.
with a cry of joy she ran for
ward and threw herself on his
breast.
Emile! My adored! My beau
tiful lover!' she said.
Eyes, it is all true, Madame. I
knew them both, once, very well -.
long ago. What became Of them?
Madame, it is not for me to leave
a tale unfinished.
But even you, stranger here,
must have heard of the fine old
wholesale grocery firm, Duvalle
and Sons, who do their own i'm
porting.
And any afternoon one passes
by certain old home on ESplan-
ade Avenue one may see a little
lovely, white-haired old lady start
ing for a drive in her open, old
fashioned carriage, surrounded by
her many grandchildren.
And this is your story of a per
feet love, Madame, a story told and
retold for many years in the quar-
tier, for 'Toinette loved as only the
blind can love in this world, who
see not the outward things of life.
She loved the inner man, and she
loved him with her whole SOUL"
The old gentleman arose and,
smiling family at my thanks,
moved away, while I, forgetting my
WEAKNESS, saw with miSted eyes
that the elegant cape which he
wore was inadequate to conceal the
lines of the twisted little back.
THE END