The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-04-17
A PAIR OF MUTES

that age when man Is at MS pest, pny-
slcially, and nature has filed out his
frame with the necessary padding OF
flesh without obesity-when the wrln-
kles are not in his neck, nor gray hairs
in his mustache, although at that age
he is apt to be 'fwell set'' in his ways.
The past winter had been one OF I'M
usually hard work, but not without
pecunlary returns, SO that when he
was seriously threatened with paraly-
sis OF the throat, and upon consulting
an eminent physician, was told that
rest and absolute silence we're his only
hope, he felt that he had earned his
vacation, but at q rather high price.
He was ordered to make no vocal
sound, as his worn out muscles were
to be let entirely alone TO Tecuperate,
for at least three months. ii he had
anything to say 1t must be done in
writing, but not q single word on pain
of entire loss OF speech. As the sum-
mer vacation was at hand, ne selected
home in the country as his place OF
exile, for where one has friends, one
must talk. The choice was a wise one,
for the farmer and his wife were quiet,
intelligent people, whose children were
all married and in homes of their own.
The house was pleasantly situated
near a river, so there was plenty of
fishing and boating. To a man so
long deprived of sport OF this kind,
there was a boyish zest in renewing it,
for life had not had much play in it
for him, but had been made up of
work. In his struggle for q place In
life. he had become rather cynical, es-
peclally so about women, as he knew
practically nothing about them. His
theories about them were almost hea-
thenish, but they were only theories.
He disliked the sex on what 3 vaguely
called general principles" and
Stunned them one and all.
On his arrival he was gwen the
choice of two rooms, one large, the
other somewhat smaller; true to his
manhood, he took the biggest. More
room for boots to stand round in, and
to scatter pipes, and such like manly
belongings. He had been pleasantly
established with his books, fishing-rOd,
cigars, and all those things which seem
necessary to q man who is reaching
that period OF bachelorhood called
confirmed.
Before his coming all arrangements
for his stay had been made by letter,
and on his arrival, tablets presented
with the request written to be shown
to his room, made the good lady OF
the house suppose he was deaf and
dumb, which was lust to his mind, for
he didn't want "to be bored with the
woman's curiosity" II he made an
explanation he would have to answer
innumerable questions; if he did not,
it would be natural for her to come to
the conclusion she had.
As the days of July became hotter,
and the fishing began to pail, the most
interesting books had been read. he
began to weary OF his enforced silence,
and longed for something to break the
monOtony. Before long he had it.
One day Mr.. Grey drove up to the
gate from the station with a trunk in
the back part OF the wagon, and q
young woman beside him.
When Mr.. Spencer looked out, it was
not with q smiling cOuntenance, but
rather q cross one, for his seclusion
would be intruded on. Nevertheless,
he watched the process OF alighting,
and removing the heavy trunk, with
that interest bored people watch any
thing that Is something new. He NUT
tered something about ''scrawny,
faded" as the young woman was
helped down, and returned to his
pipe.
Laura Hyde had come to Mr.. Grey 5
to recuperate after q severe winter OF
teaching vocal music in the public
schools OF the same city OF which Mr.
Spencer was a resident, and, strange
as it may seem, for the same thing
Her voice had become $50 impaired with
overwork that shewas threatened with
the loss OF it. Her doctor had com
manded entire silence through the
summer, plenty Of fresh air, and whole.
some food, as the only means Of cure
The poor girl could see no way to aC
complish this, but she resolved to
throw herself on the generosity Of the
Greys, as Mrs. Grey was q relative OF
her mother, explaining the situation
They, being good, charitable people
took her in for the least possible pay
for she refused to come unless eweri
permitted to pay something, however
small the amount.
Mr.. Spencer went down to tea In 2
selfish frame of mind, wishing that
that woman had not intruded on hi.
domain; but when he saw how tired
worn, and spiritless the Obuoxiou,
person looked, he relented somewhat
and went through an introduction
written on the tabiets) with as mucf
graciousness as he could command
He noticed that Miss Hyde only an
swered remarks by 4 movement o
the head and heard Mrs. Grey ex
planning in her kindly way all abou,
his own affection
Deaf and dumb, poor thing Not
bit OF trouble, but he does smoke
dreadfully."
Laura WAS given the little room re
iected by him, and was as quiet q
neighbor as q man could wish.
4 man OF Mr.. Spencer's habits could
not be expected 20 take much interest
IN g neighoor. The only thing that
struck him as being strange. was that
she seemed to be 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
mouse AStieSely, with tired worn
look, that added to her tweuty-fout
years; but with good food, fresh air
and rest, she began, ID a few weeks. tC
feel the influence OF the place, and her
expression changed TO 4 brighter. rest
Ell one, which at least made ner pleas
ant to look at
The only thing that puzzled Mr..
Spencer was that he had never heard
her voice. He had heard Mrs. GREY
hold long conversations with her on
many subjects OF domss tic economy.
Once or twice he himself had been the
topic Of conversation. but not one
word in reply did he hear Miss Hvae
say. She surely must have said some.
thing for Mrs. Grey said.
Laura, you are TOO hard on him.
He Is not an old man about thirty
hye-and not so selfish rs Won NAV
think, II We only knew him. And. my
dear, he can't take the same interest,"