Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-08-07

He got up took her in his arms held her close You're
making cry, he said
That's all right, she said. go ahead and cry know
how much it means to YOU"
mot the operation he said. Thinking about the apart
ment you your sweetness.
She chung to him. tightly. From long habit his fingers
touched her face Il told Dr. Corlear I'd call him back in
half an hour - that had to ask you"
You can call him now, Helen. We're not going"
She felt that he trembling Her fear became dread
You're afraid, Bill. know it. You're afraid - to see"
VERY gently he oosed her crossed bright orange armchair
sank into it. his eyes fixed space Helen James dropped
onto the window seat and his head turned toward the sound
of her rstlng dress YES he said I'm afraid to see"
She took deep BREATH faced it.
Because of me, Bill? Because have big nose and big
mouth and unry hair? You've never been pretty
when first came into the hospital where we met dur
ing the you knew then. IL overheard one of the
other boys who could describing the other nurses and me
you She took deep breath You're afraid that
If you you wouldn't be in love with me any more!
NO.. he said Even had this operation wouldn't see
you think you look but only you've always been to
man with his mind Helen Eyes, even good eyes,
only reflect light and color and shadow His mind makes the
picture. To me- would always be the most beautiful
woman in the world The gentle lips smiled
She sighed, little peace came to her face
I've been afraid she said. when they operated on
you and finally took that last piece of shell fragment out of
your spine and back the your feet prayed
at first that it would give back your sight But we got
married right after that and then then almost prayed
it wouldn't She paused and the fear came back He might
be lying to her-about his mind seeing her She And
then Bl-the operation two years ago. afraid"
She hesltated and went What you afraid Of Bl?
He answered quickly I'm not afraid of always being blind
Helen as is have you love and my career You
see love life it matter of fact I'm not realya
very good piano player but I'm great blind piano player
It's strange isn't it, Helen that my misfortune has brought
not only success but depth of happiness could probably
never have found by myself? wrong when said was
afraid I'm not afraid I'm that my life was meant to be
lived on these terms"
She looked at him. wondering still whether these were
words from his mind or the conviction of his heart
How you decide thing like this quckly? she said
You didn't know about Steiner She laughed little Bit
terly You must want to if I'm willing to take the
chance :" She could not say the words again.
you've dreaded this, haven't you?" he said He was
speaking softly he sometimes played his words
touched her heart. Il didn't decide this quickly Helen
decided long that great blind piano player has
great responsibilities to those who have made him great and
the people who enjoy his entertainment and just possibly
those others who must find happiness and have found
it. building misfortune instead of fighting it. Perhaps my
biggest responsibility be blind decided after that
last operation"
She looked at him sharply - beginning to understand
HEN there another thing You Helen, thought
for while that if saw, you might not love that it