The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1884-12-27

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 De
that rare anomaly 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 a 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-five, and not so selfish rs you
may think, if we only knew him. And,
nv dear, he can't take the same inte-
rest in things that 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 it
brought laugh and reply from Mrs.
Grey, who said: swell. 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 at
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 yet two
miles from it, rowing leisurely, he saw
Miss Hyde walking along the river
bank. stopping now and thento 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 way? You look
, warm and tired" She answered by
writing: 81 will be glad of chance to
I 90 so pleasantly. l have lost my way,
, I think" With his assistance she got
| in. As she sat drawing her hand
through the water he got a 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
q to himself, ssand l shall not undeceive
3 her, but await further developments. y
: She pointed to the sunset, nodded
4 her head and smiled, to which he an
Y swered in the same way. Various OBJ
) iects of interest were discussed in this
a silent manner, so that when he came
s to the mooring place he concluded thai
= it was rather pleasant to have some one
Y as companion. fft1 ~
i After this they were on friendliel
n terms, SO that when September came
j. their acquaintance had progressed
" rapidly through the medium OF the
is tablets. On Miss Hyde's returning t
l. her school, he could hardly persuade
o himself that he should miss one of thu
" obnoxious sex so much. He considered
d it rather strange that she had neve'
r told him in any Of their catalogues
70 where her home was. She had no
1t done so because he had never asked
X but said to herself: eff he cared t.
TO know he would ask. l will not fore
d nv confidence on any one." Whel
ID she went neither knew where the HON
is of the other was, and they parted, a
Sc they supposed, to never see each othe
In again. She returned to her school
b. rested and restored. He stayed unit
the last of October, when he followed
a. and, as the physician had said, had Ell
" tirely recovered. .ss ~
e. Thanksgiving afternoon the matine
40 was ssOlivette," and as he was littl
lv out of spirits. the natural feeling {
n men without family ties on holiday!
ar Mr.. Spencer concluded to go.
he After being shown to his seat he i'd
m looked over the house, but saw no AZ
ar auaintances. Just behind him b
ot heard a soft unfamiliar voice say
To "Sue, it is he" "Who," asked Su,
"Why, Mr.. Spencer, the deaf and dunn
or gentleman who was so kind to me la
,st summer. But how strange he shout
he come to an opera when he can't hear.
q. 80, not at all, said the giddy Sue .
he should think it would be no end of fu
it. to see them all prancing about I'll
tie stage, rolling their eyes, wringing the
he hands, and standing on tip toe to cato
on the high notes. and all the time he,
m nothing" and Sue went off into gil
ng gle at the absurdity of it.
ne. .sSue," said Laura, lit is heartless
IN. laugh and talk so about ones affli
sss tons" 30. pshaw! he doesn't ha'
wv an air of very deep affection" 81
Die answered. He looks well fed. II
w. chin is getting double. He must be
nv. very old bachelor. LIDO wish he won
1as turn around SO could see him better
pc. At this point Mr.. Spencer did tn
VS. around, and gave Miss Sue lot
J Of which made her ask in whisper: -
lie he really deaf, Laurap He look
Mr. wonderfully knowing, like he mig
as have heardme." "Guilty conscience
Iar said Laura. '.Didn'tI say he new
18th spoke word all summer, and he is