The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-01-23
DEAF AND DUMB.

DEAt AND Dun Il.
II was mid summer On the mouptains
and Lillian Ferguson had never seen a afairel
scene than the 5iiiOws o. The blue hills thai
lay stretched out below her, with here and
there the fash of hall hidden lake OF the rib
bon Ike glitter Of tiny river.
She stood leaping against t5e rustic ce.
/ Oar that formed the support OF the hote
piazza, while the modest little trunk and
travelling bags were piled up at tie rear.
Don't fret Miss" said the land LADY, whc
was busting in and out. The stage will be
along soon.
''Oh, am in no hurry for the stage, " said
Lillian, pleasantly. Icould stand and look
at this beautiful landscape all day"
Amt that strange now?" refsctiyely ut
tered Mrs PEGS, the landlady. Me and
Peck, we never think about It ct all"
is the stage often so late?" said Lillian
ian, glancing at her neat little silver watch.
Not generally" said Mrs. Peek But
to-day they're waiting at Welrs Station for
the deaf aud dumb gentleman"
''For whOm?" said Lillian, in amazement.
For the deaf and dumb gentleman, Miss,
explained Mis-. Peck "a cousin of our min
.
New York for treatment: but, deary me.
there amt no treatment can do him any good.
As deaf as a stone, Miss. and never spoke an
intelligible word since he was born But
they do say he's very learned man, in
spite OF all his drawbacks"
I'm afraid be wOn't be a very lively trav-
cling companion said Lillian. smiling,
No, I calculate not, said Mrs Peck in a
matter Of fact sort Of way.
just at that moment a box-wagoB drove
up the chaTioteer handed out a valise and
assisted a young lady to alight.
Has the stage gone? % she cried, fiuglug
aside her veil and revealing very pretty
brunette face shaded by jetty fringes of hair
and flushed with excitement
You are just in time, Miss said Mrs.
Peck. peering down the winding road, which
her experienced eye could trace. when no
one else's was Of any avail IT'S a-comin'
nowr
But Lillian Ferguson, who had been gazing
at the newcomer earnestly, now came for
ward with an eager smile and an outstretch-
ed hand
Surely an not mistaken, said she, and
this is Eulalie Morton p
Lillian Ferguson! On, you darling, am
so glad to see your cried :he stranger
But where on earth did you come frOm?'
And thus met the two lovely girls who had
graduated just year ago from Madame De
TOurnaire's fashionable boarding school in
New York and who dad not seen each 9th er
since.
just at this moment, however, there was
no time for explanations. The pOnderOus
stage, relic of a forgotten generation, rolled
up with creak of leatbern 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 twi-
light, Eulalie and Lillian could only discover
that the stage contained but one other Occu-
pant, a man who leaned back in the far cor.
ner, with the top OF his face partially hidden
by a large, wide-brimmed hat, and its lower
part wrapped in the folds of Persian silk
pocket handkerchief.
He inclined his head courteously as they
entered, and moved handsome travelling
case which lay on the middle seat, as If tC
make room for them.
is there another passenger p said Mis-;
Morton, with little, precious START.
It's ony a deaf and dumb gentleman,
Lillian explained, her eyes full OF soft pity
The landlady told me all about him.
What nuisance = cried Eulalie. L had
hoped we should have the stage to ourselves
But now, dear, as she settled herself in the
most comfortable corner, tell me what thi;
unex pected encounter means
1T means said Lillian, with a shy smile
that am going to be nursery governess al
! Chessineton Hall, up among the Adiron
dacks-that is, il l give satisfaction. l was
engaged by letter from the Educational Blu
I reau week ago.
What very singular coincidence = said
/ Miss Morton, shaking her cherry eoloreC
/ bonnet strings. And l am going to be com
panion to old Mrs Grove, of Grove Rookery
the very next place to Chessington Hail.
How do envy you, Lillian =
/ Envy me, Eulalie p
Yes. Haven't you heard about it p sail
/ the brunette. TIE Chessington children
/ your future charges, are motherless, DON
! you know? They are under the care of al
aunt, so Mrs. Grove told me; and there is
| handsome widower and interesting younl
/ bachelor at Cbessington Hail.
Lillian colored, hotlY.
Neither OF whom 1 ever expect to meet,
/ said Sc.
1t VIII be your own fault if you dOu't,
observed Miss Morton. why, my dear
/ here is your career all chslked out for you
Sentimental widower, with lots of money
pretty goYerneSs--mutual fascination
growing devotion-fnaie, wedding Hey
presto, your fortune is made'
'EulaIie, how can you talk SOP erie
Lillian, flushed and Indignant 4 am not o
a husband-hunting expedition 1 am simpl
| trying to earn my own living.
The more goose you, to neglect such a
opportunity as this. said Eulali6, laughing
If you don't try for the widower l shall
Grove Rookery is only half a mile froi
| ChessingtOn Hall, after ALI; and rich hu
band would solve the problem of my life
once
This is too ridiculous, Eulalie,' said Ii
ian. L could not respect myself il ! were
plot and plan like this. l know it is unjus
but you have made me dislike Mr.. Chessinl
] ton already'