Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-10-10
ectcd by him and was as quiet neigh
,or n @ N man GOULD mich

not he expected to take much interest in
ancighbor. 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 ar and rest she
began in a few weeks to feel the in
fuence of the place, and her expression
changed to brighter, rested one, VIII, ch
at least made her pleasant to look at.
The only thing that puzzled Mr.. Spen
Ger was, he had 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 conversa
ton, 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 as you may think If we only
knew him. And, my dear, he can't take
the same interest in things t!l.t 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: "Well, it may be as you
say, when men spend all their time think
ing and working for themselves they
forget that others may suffer for what
they have in abundance and think moth
ing of it," Not long after this conversa-
ton took place Mr.. Spencer started for
long day on the river, equipped with fish
ing rods and lunch basket. In the even
ing as he was returning home,
when yet two miles from it, row
ing 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 were written: "Will
you not row home, Miss Hyde, the rest
of the way2 You look warm and tired" !"
She answered by writing; 81 will be
glad of chance to go so pleasantly. |
have lost my way, l think" With his
assistance she got in. AS she sat draw
ing her hand through the water he got
look at her. Looks were all he got,
for not 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 de-
velopments.
She pointed to the sunset, nodded her
head, and smiled, to which he answered
in the same way. Various objects oil
interest were discussed in this silent
manner, so that when he came to the
moo ing place he concluded that 1t wa;
rather pleasant to have some one as
companion.
After this they were on familiar
terms, so that when September camt
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 mucf
He considered it rather strange that sh
J had never told him in any of their ''dia
logues" where her home was. She hat
, not done so because he had never asked
but said to herself, eff he cared to knoy
| he would ask. l will not force my conf
, dence on any one.n When she wen
r neither knew where the home of tn
other was, and they parted, as they sur
r posed, never to see each other again
: She returned to her school rested and re
stored. He stayed until the last of OC
l tober, when he followed, and as th
physician had said, had entirely rccoN
4 cred.
Thanksgiving afternoon the matine
was "Olivette, "and as he was little out
s spirits, the natural feeling of men will
| out family ties on holidays, Mr.. Spence
e concluded to go.
n After being shown to his scat he i'd
G looked over the house, but saw no a.
t qualntances Just behind him he hear
t a soft, familiar voice say: "Sue, it is he
G "Who," asked Sue. "Why, Mr.. Spel
: Ger, the deaf and dumb gentleman VII
l. was so kind to me last summer. B'
t how strange he should come to an opel
e when he can't hear" "Oh, not at all
said the giddy Sue" should think
d would be no end of fun to see them 6
: prancing about the stage, rolling the
o eyes, wringing their hands, and stan'
d ING on tiptoe to catch the high note
Y. and all the time hear nothing" and 81
r. went off into agiggle at the absurdity
a. it.
d "Sue," said Laura ''it is heartless
lie laugh and talk so about ones Affections
it go, pshaww Sue answered. she loo
ut we'll fed, His chin is getting doubl
IN He must be very old bachelor. l
le wish he would turn around SO | cou
e. see him better" At this point N
n Spencer did turn around, and gave M
at Sue look which made her ask in
e. whisper; as he really deaf, Laura2
he looked wonderfully knowing, like
e. might have heard me-" "Guilty co
science" said Laura. ''Didn't say
to never spoke word all summer, and
h. is as deaf SIS a sphynx. | do wonder
of he will remember me. Men of his a
as and opinions do love to snub us, and
or would not be surprised that he did l
ne recognize me-"
as Just then the curtain went up, and,
Ter they could afford treat so rarely, th
ce listened, and no more was said of \
air Spencer.
ms At the close, while Mr.. Spencer v
no struggling with his overcoat, the t
ed GIRLS made their exit, but what was tn
he dismay to find it raining, and they W
Ter no protection from it and no money
IN. hire q cab. go, what shall we do, s
ok Sue, "our clothes will be ruined" ]
,he then voice behind them, said: 'N
lit Hyde, allow me to see you and y
lhe friend to a carriage" The girls lool
at each other in CONSERVATION, but s
elf never a word, and before t
hat could realize it were seated in
do corriaoe. with Mr.. Sper