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

"Well, it may be as you say, when
men spend all their time thinking and
working for themselves, they forget
that Others may suffer for what they
have in abundance, and think nothing
Of It"
Not long after this conversation
took place, Mr.. Spencer started for a
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
ard then to look about her. He
pulled to the shore, and presented
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 shall
be glad OF q chance to go so pleasant
ly. [ have lost my way, l 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 to himself, 'tand / shall not unde-
ceive her, but await further develop
ments."
She pointed to the sunset, nodded
her head and smiled, to which he an
sWered in the same way. Various OBJ
iects 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 a
companion
After this they were on friendlier
terms, so that when September came,
their acquaintance had progressed
rapidly through the medium of the
tablets. On Miss Hyde's returning to
her school, he could hardly persuade
himself that he should miss one of the
obnoxious sex so much. Heconsidered
it rather strange that she had never
told him IN any of their catalogues
where her home was. She had not done
so because he had never asked, but
said to herself, aft he cared TO know he
would ask. l will not force my conf
dence on any one" When she went
neither knew where the home of the
other was, and they parted, as they
supposed, to never see each other
again. She returned to her school
rested and restored. He stayed until
the last of October, when he 10 lowed,
and, as the physician had SAID, had
entirely recovered.
Thanksgiving afternoon the matinee
was "Olvette," and as he was q little
out OF spirits, the natural feeling OF
men without family ties on holidays,
Mr.. Spencer concluded to 90.
After being shown his seat he idly
looked over the honse, but saw no ac-
quaintances. Just behind him he
heard q soft unfamiliar voice say:
"Sue, it is he" "Who," asked Sue.
"Why, Mr.. Spencer, the deaf and dumb
gentleman who was so kind to me last
summer. But how strange he should
come to an opera when he can't
hear"
so, not at all, said giddy Sue-"I
should think it would be no end Of fun
to see them all prancing about the
stage, rolling their eyes, wringing their
hands, and standing on their tip-toe
to catch the high notes, and all the
time hear nothing" and Sue went off
into giggle at the absurdity Of it.
"Sue, said Laura, sit is heartless
60 laugh and talk so about ones atflic-
tons" 80, pshaw he doesn't have
an air OF very deep affliction," Sue an
sWered. He looks well fed. His chin
is getting double. He must be a very
old bachelor. | do wish hewould turn
around so [ could see him better" AT
this point Mr.. Spencer did turn around,
and gave Miss Sue a look which made
her ask In a whisper: "Is he really
deaf, Laura? He looked wonderfully
knowing, as if he might have heard
me. !" ''GuiIty conscience" said
Laura. Didn't I say he never spoke
word all summer, and he is as deaf
as q SphYnx. | do wonder If he will
remember me. Men of his age and
opinions do love to snub us, and
would not be surprised that he didnot
recognize me.
Just then the curtain went up, and
as they could afford 81 treat so rarely,
they listened, and no more was said oi
Mr.. Spencer.
At the close, while Mr.. Spencer was
struggling with his overcoat, the two
girls made their exit, but what was
their dismay to find it raining, and
they with no protection and no
money to hire q cab. ooh, what shall
We do" said Sue; "our clothes will be
ruInedl' just then a voice behind
them, said: "Miss Hyde, allow me to
see you and your friend to q carriage. D
/ The girls looked at each other in con
steTnation, but said never a word
and before they could realize it, were
seated in q carriage, with Mr.. Spencer
opposite. Laura looked down in her
lap, Sue out OF the window, but, true
to her character, she saw the ludi
/ crOusness OF the situation, and, after
valnly struggling to control herself
burst into peal OF laughter, which
only added to Laura's distress SC
much that Mr.. Spencer leaned across
and said: Il will explain, Miss Hyde
II you will give me the opportunity. -
Alter leaving Sue at her boarding
place, Mr.. Spencer began his explana.
ton, which was so long that he fol
lowed Laura in to finish it. After Civ.
ing her the facts OF the case, he said
Now, hope you will forgive me fol
any modification Ihave caused YOU
Said Laura: don't know how much
have to forgive until Think it over. -
Not much, said he, ''for strange as
1t may seem, [ never heard you1
voice until this afternoon, so you
have said nothing l heard, although
knew | was under discussion from
Mrs Grey's replies. / used TO think
/ 1t strange. too, that she seemed to do
al, the talking" ooh, that is easily
explained said Laura, 'my voice
+ wore out, and I was compelled to
/ quit talking, but not writing. I am
glad now you did not hear me, for
some OF my remarks were, as / think
now, unkind and uncharitabie, to say
the least. attributed your 81.
ience to the fact that you supposed
me deaf, and, as ] never happened to
be with you and Mrs. Grey very
much, never suspected that We were a
/ pair OF mutes, said Mr.. Spencer.
They have since gone into partner
ship, but not a silent one.