Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-08-29
In a Stage Coach.

tainS and Lillian Ferguson had never
seen a fairer scene than the billOws
Of blue hills that lay stretched out
before her, with here and there the
fash of a half hidden lake, or the
ribbon-like glitter of tiny river.
She stood leaning against the
rustic cedar post that formed the
support of the hotel piazza, while
her modest little trunk and travel
ing bags were piled up at the rear.
Don't fret, MISS said the land
lady, who was bustling in and out
'The stage will be along sOon.'
'Oh, l am in no hurry for the
STAGE said Lillian pleasantly. q
could stand and look at this beau
tiful landscape all day.
'Ain't that strange, now reacc-
lively uttered Mrs. Peck, the land
lady. Me and Peck, we neverthink
about it at ALL
is the stage often as late as this?
said Lillian, glancing at her neat
little silver watch.
Not generally said Mrs. Peck
'But to-day they're waiting at
Wells Station, for the deaf-and-
dumb gentleman
Forwhom 2 said Lilian,in amaze
ment.
For the deaf-and-dumb gentle
man, MISS explained Mrs. Peck.
"A cousin of our minister's up at
Crest Hill. He's been down to
New York for treatment; but dear
me, there amt no treatment can
ever do him any good. AS deaf as
a stone, miss, and never spoke an
intelligent word since he was born.
But they say he's a very learned
man, in spite of all his drawbacks
I'm afraid he won't be a very
lively travelling companion said
Lillian, smiling.
'No, l calculate not said Mrs.
Peck, in a matter,of-fact sort Of
way.
Just at that moment a box-wagOn
drove up; the charioteer handed
ont a valisc, and assisted a young
lady to alight.
Has the stage gomez she cried,
flinging aside her veil, and reveil'
ing a very pretty brunette face sha-
ded by jetty fringes of hair and
flushed with excitement.
you're just in time, MISS said
Mrs. Peck, peering down the wind
ing road, which her experienced
eye could trace, when no ones else
was of any avail. It's a comm
now!
But Lillian Ferguson, who had
been gazing at the newcomer ear
nestly, now came forward with an
eager smile and outstretched hand.
Surely am not Mistaken said
she, 'and this is Eulalie MortonP
Lillian Fergusonl Oh, my darl-
ing, am so glad to see youv cried
the stranger. But where on earth
did you come from 2
And thus met the two lovely
girls who had graduated justa year
ago from Madame De TOurnaire's
fashionable boarding-schOOl in New
York, and who had not seen each
other since.
Just at this moment, however
there was no time for explanations.
The ponderOus stage, relic of a for
gotten generation, rolled up, with
a creak of leathern curtains, tramp
of horses, and a general confusion
of arrival, to the broad wooden
steps of the hotel.
The sun was already down. In
the twilight, Eulalie and Lillian
could only discover that the stage
contained but one other occupant,
a man, who leaned back in the far
corner, with the top of his face
partially hidden by large, wide
brimed hat, and its lower part
wrapped in the folds of a Persian
silk pocket-handkerchief
He inclined his head courteously
as they entered, and moved a hand
some traveling-case which lay on
the middle seat, as ifto make room
for them.
Is there another passenger ? said
Miss Morton, with little, nervous
start.
Its only a deaf-and-dumb gen.
tleman,' Lillian explained, her eyes
full of soft pity. The landlady told
me about him.
'What a nuisancep cried Eulalie.
Il had hoped we should have the
stage to ourselves. Butnow, dear,
as she settled herself in the most