The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1884-10-18

versation, but not one word in reply
did he hear Miss Hyde say. She surely
must have said something, for Mrs.
Grey said, Laura, you are too hard
on him. He isn't an old man, about
thirty-live, and not SO selfish as you
may think, if we only knew him. And,
my dear, he can't take the same inte-
rest in things that a man who isn't
deaf could. I've no doubt he would
lend you any of his books if he knew
you wanted them.' There was a reply
to this which he did not catch, for Il
brought laugh and reply from Mrs.
Grey, who said: ''WeH. it may be "a
you say, when men spend all their
time thinking and working for them
selves they forget that others may sui.
fer for what they have in abundance
and think nothing of it," Not long af-
ter this conversation took place Mr..
Spencer started for long day on the
river, equipped with fishing-rods and
lunch basket. In the evening as he
was returning home, when vet two
miles from it. rowing leisurely, he saw
Miss Hyde walking along the river
bank. stopping now and then to look
about her. He pulled to the shore, and
presenting his tablets, on which was
written: "Will you not row home, Miss
Hyde, the rest of the wayp You look
warm and tired" She answered by
writing: II will be glad of chance to
go so pleasantly. have lost my way,
l think" With his assistance she got
in. AS she sat drawing her hand
through the water he got good look
at her. Looks were all he got, for not
a word was exchanged during the ride.
"She thinks me deaf and dumb, he said
to himself, 'and l shall not undeceive
her, but await further developments.
She pointed to the sunset, nodded
her head and smiled, to which he an
swered in the same way. Various OBJ.
jects of interest were discussed in this
silent manner, so that when he came
to the mooring place he concluded that
it was rather pleasant to have some one
as a companion.
After this they were on friendlief
terms, so that when September came
their acquaintance had progressed
rapidly through the medium of the
tablets. On Miss Hyde's returning to
her school, he could hardly persuade
himself that he should miss one of the
obnoxious sex so much. He considered
it rather strange that she had never
told him in any of their catalogues
where her home was. She had not
done so because he had never asked,
but said to herself: eff he cared to
know he would ask. I will not force
my confidence on any one." When
she went neither knew where the home
of the other was. and they parted, as
they supposed, to never see each other
again. She returned to her school,
rested and restored. He stayed until
the last of October, when he followed,
and, as the physician had said, had en-
tirely recovered.
Thanksgiving afternoon the matinee
was "Olivette," and as he was a little
out of spirits. the natural feeling OF
men without family ties on holidays,
Mr.. Spencer concluded to go.
After being shown to his seat he idly
looked over the house, but saw no &C
quaintances. Just behind him he
heard soft unfamiliar voice say
"Sue, it is he" who" asked Sue
"Why, Mr.. Spencer, the deaf and dumb
gentleman who was so kind to me last
summer. But how strange he should
come to an opera when he can't hear
so, not at all,'' said the giddy Sue-"1
should think it would be no end of fun
to see them all prancing about the
stage, rolling Their eyes, wringing their
hands, and standing on tip toe to catch
the h gh notes, and all the time hear
nothing" and Sue went OF into a gig
gle at the absurdity of it.
'Sue," said Laura, "it is heartless to
laugh and talk SO about ones Attic
tions." 20, pshaw! he doesn't have
an air of very deep atfliction," Sue
answered HE looks well fed. His
chin is getting double. He must be a
very old bachelor. l do wish he would
turn around so could see him better"
At this point Mr.. Spencer did turn
around, and gave Miss Sue a look
which made her ask in whisper: rs
he really deaf, Laurap He looked
wonderfully knowing, like he might
have heard me-" "Guilty conscience, :"
said Laura. .'Didn'tI say he never
spoke word all summer, and he is as
deaf as Sphynx. l do wonder if he
will remember me. Men of his age
and opinions do love to snub us, and l
would not be surprised that he did not
recognize me.'
just then the curtain went up, and,
as they could afford a treat so rarely,
they listened, and no more was said of
Mr.. Spencer.
At the close, while Mr.. Spencer was
struggling with his overcoat, the two
girls made their exit, but what was
their dismay to find it raining, and
they with no protection from it and no
money to hire cab. 80, what shall
we do" said Sue; ''our clothes will be
ruinedn Just then a voice behind
them said: ''Miss HYDE, allow me to
see you and your friend to carriage"
The girls looked at each other in con-
sternation, but said never word, and
before they could realize it were seated
in carriage, with Mr. Spencer OPP
posite. Laura looked down in her lap,
Sue out the window, but true to her
character, she saw the righteousness of
the situation, and, after vainly strug-
Cling to control herself, burst into
peal of laughter, which only added to
Laura's distress SO much that Mr..
Spencer leaned across and said: 81
will explain, Miss Hyde, if you will
give me the opportunity" After
leaving Sue at her boarding place,
Mr.. Spencer began his explanation.
which was so long that he followed
Laura in to finish it. After giving
her the facts of the case, he said:
''Now, hope you will forgive me for
any modification have caused you.'
Said Laura: II don't know how much
l have to forgive until think it over"
"Not much" said he, ''for strange as
it may seem I never heard your voice
until this afternoon, so you have said
nothing l have heard, although 1 knew
/ was under discussion from Mrs.
Grey's replies. used to think it
strange, too, that she seemed to do all