The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1884-11-13

by movement Of the head, and heard
Mrs. Grey explaining in her kindly
way all about his own afiiction-''Deaf
and dumb, poor thing. Not bit of |
trouble, but he does smoke dread
fully"
Laura was given the little room re-
jeeted by him, and was as quiet a
neighbor as a man could wish.
A man of Mr.. Spencer's habits could |
not be expected to take much interest |
in a neighbor. The only thing that |
struck him was that she seemed to be
that rare anomaly-a woman who
could hold her tongue. He gave her
but little of his thought; merely bowed
when passing on the stairway or in the
hall.
For some time she moved about the
house listlessly, with tired, worn look
that added to her twenty-four years;
but, with good food, fresh air and rest
she began in a few weeks to feel the
influence of the place, and her express
sion changed to brighter, rested one,
which at least made her pleasant to
look at.
The only thing that puzzled Mr..
Spencer was he never heard her voice.
He had heard Mrs. Grey hold long con-
versations with her on many subjects
/ of domestic economy. Once or twice
he himself had been the topic of con
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-fve, 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 reply
to this which he did not catch, for it
brought laugh and reply from Mrs.
Grey, who said: ''WeH, it may be as
You say, when men spend all their
time thinking and working for them
selves they forget that others may suf-
fer for what they have in abundance
and think nothing of it. Not long af-
4 ter this conversation took place Mr..
Spencer started for long day on the
river, equipped with fshing-rods and
lunch basket. In the evening as he
was returning home, when yet 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: s'Will you not rev home, Miss
Hyde, the rest of the way? You look
warm and tired" She answered by
writing: 81 viii be glad of chance to
go so pleasantly. l have lost my way,
| think" With his assistance she got
Il in. As she sat drawing her hand
through the water he got a good look
at her. Looks were ali he got, for not
a word was exchanged during the ride.
''She thinks me deaf and dumb, he said
to himself, '.and / shall not undeceive
her, but await further developments. .
She pointed to the sunset, nodded
her head and smiled, 10 which he an
swered ia 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 companion.
After this they were on friendliel
terms, so that when September came
their acquaintance had progressed
rapidly through the medium of the
: tablets On Miss Hyde's returning t.
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 no
! done so because he had never asked
: but said to herself: IF he cared tt
{ know he would ask. I will not force
, my confidence on any one.n Wher
she went neither knew where the home
: of the other was. and. they parted, a.
! they supposed, to never see each othel
!, again She returned to her school
rested and restored. He stayed unit
the last of October, when he followed
and, as the physician had said, had en-
} tirely recovered.
Thanksgiving afternoon the matine,
was ''Olivette," and as he was a littl,
out of spirits, the natural feeling 0
, men without family ties on holidays
Mr.. Spencer concluded to go.
After being shown to his seat he idl,
$ looked over the house, but saw no &C
' quaintances. Just behind him b
Q heard soft unfamiliar voice say
'sSue, it is hen Who" asked Sue
!, 'Why, Mr.. Spencer, the deaf and dunn
S gentleman who was so kind to me las
summer. But how strange he shoul,
5 come to an opera when he can't hear.
+ 40, not at all, +" said the giddy Sue
c should think it would be no end of fu
!. to see them all prancing about tn
s stage, rolling their eyes, wringing thei
r hands, and standing on tip-toe to cate
h the high notes, and sll the time hea
b nothing" and Sue went off into q gig
gle at the absurdity of it.
e ''Sue," said Laura, s'it is heartless t
: laugh and talk so about ones aff1ic
!. tons 80, pshaw! he doesn't hav
: an air of very deep atfliction,n Su
v answered. HE looks well fed. HI
, chin is getting double. He must be
r very old bachelor. l do wish he woul
j. turn around so / could see him better.
J, At this point Mr.. Spencer did tur
!, around, and gave Miss Sue loo
E which made her ask In a whisper: Il
+ he really deaf, Laura? He locke
wonderfully knowing. like he migt