The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-12-13
The UHssgn Ginger

Hs3t+$+t$++t IS
n WAS alone in the little seaside
town, the solace of work being
denied me because OF the illness
that had brought me there to seek
for health. l was desperately tired,
and my nerves were in a state that
rendered all enjoyment impossible.
used to lie late in the mornings,
for there was nothing to do but wan
der idly on the promenade, and the
trivial pleasures of the crowd vexed
me unutterably because 1 could not
share them.
1t was only at night L realized that
possibly this lrksome time of rest was
bringing me nearer to the recovery of
my health Then l used to wander un-
till all but the latest OF the visitors had
left the promenade. 1t was impossible
not to be at rest The GOODNESS of the
night, the soothing murmur of the
sea, and the shining yellow lights of a
fishing village across the bay. COM
bined TO make a perfect world, and as
l watched l knew that even the garish
day might presently give me pleasure
again.
had been perhaps a fortnight in the
place when first / saw the lady of
whom | would tell you. 1t was only
for n moment, as she drove past in the
company of an older woman, but that
moments sight was enough to fill my
thoughts until l saw her again upon
the morrow.
She was beautiful beyond all words;
/ fanced she could hardly have passed
the age OF twenty; and speech and
hearing had been denied her She had
the innocent gladness that remains
while they are yet young with some
who are thus afflicted. She looked
upon the world with beautiful bright
eyes, and, in despite of fate, was well
pleased TO be alive.
But she was talking with her fingers
to the elder lady, her companion, in
whose eyes as they looked on the girl
1 saw an infinite pity expressed.
That pity instantly invaded my own
heart, though its object was gone out
of my sight within few seconds of
her appearance; and, desl-;te the fact
that | knew not 50 much as her name
there was mixed with the pity n sense
of angry rebellion against the fates
who had thus afflicted her, wantonly
robbing OF its value a generosity that
through her, might otherwise have
gladdened the wide world
Now, more than ever, regretted my
loneliness, for had no one from whom
might expect to gather any informa
tion of my gaining the privilege of hel
acquaintance. / made some futile in
quiries at the hotel and only got Sc
far as to be almost certain she was
like myself, visitor.
On the next day, at about the sam,
hour. the carriage passed along thu
length of the promenade. She wal
still innocently glad to be alive, con
tent to accept her burden so If it wert
no burden at all; it was with smiles
she looked into the plying eyes of he
companion and | could fancy that TN
messages she was conveying wifi
swiftly moving fingers were humorous
appreciatlons of what she saw arount
her.
My earlier questions had been ad
dressed to Il quaint, elderly waiter n
the hotel, Il man who had in some sor
made 1t his especial task TO see to IN,
well-being, and who was the neares
approach to a friend | possessed with
In hundred miles Of the place. l
happened that / was lunching at tn
open window one day when the car
rlage passed, a little earlier than usual
THAT is the lady of whom wa
speaking" 1 said to him.
He looked out of the window wit
quick interest. "a dear little maid. /
1 may say so. Yes, and the poor dea
Is deaf and dumb; she's talkln' upo
her fingers. Well, | thought from wha
you told me that they must be strana
ers In these parts and so they are.
don't even know the horses nor th
carriage"
Thus passed several days. / bega
to find myself vastly better, and, wit
the growth of energy, to look forwar
pleasurably to the time when shoul
geturn to my work in London.
My good friend, the waiter, had su,
eeeded, much to his delight, in gettin
me to go for numerous drives throug
the lovely country that surrounds I'll
watering place. 1 had even, on diver
occasions, set forth on foot and e,
plored the coast and the inland lane
for myself.
l went alone, but l never felt IL
absence OF companions, for my exped
tions always took place lefore or aft,
the hour at which she might be e.
pected to pass along the busy pror
nnade, and so my thoughts were O
ways busy, whether with anticipate
or remembrance.
Never once did she fail me; new
once did her ahllction seem to ma. Il
beautiful gayety Of her mood. 1t a
peared thar she saw and enjoyed eyel