Connecticut western news., 1901-11-07
CANAAN CONN. THURSDAY. NOVEMBER ', 1901

rarner ruSsy. so you must not talk while I'm making it-it abstracts my attention" she added with forced lit- | tie laugh.
 He watched her with growing pleas ure as her hands busted with the cups, the lamp rays touching the gold in her
 hair.
 Its like old times, watching you make tea, Celia. I wish 1t would be
 my privilege always" "I told you not to talk" she said | with playful severity. But I must. Don't be so tantaliz- ing, dearest. I'm not to touch tea till I've had your answer, till you've prom ised, in fact" his voice dropped to an earnest whisper, and he crossed the
 room to her side, ito be my wife," She glanced at him bewildered "Er-er-in fact, of course, scarcely In theory" she said vaguely. Celia" he exclaimed, what on | earth do you meanY' A dead silence followed. She saw by
 his face that something was wrong, and her agitation increased when he commenced to pace restlessly about the room, muttering to himself In an undertone:
 Ever since I've been abroad I've lived and worked in the hope of one day winning you, but now 1t seems as
 though'-
 She looked up puzzled. What did you say?" she asked desperately. 'I
 did not quite catch it. but it is your own fault. I told you not to talk while
 made tea-two Jumps of sugar, isn't it? You see. I've remembered the cor
 rect number-and half the cream jug you were always terribly greedy, col oneli Therev' She handed him the cup and caught up her fan. "Now you
 must begin all over again. I don't
 think you've lost the spice of humor." I" And she flashed a nervous little smile over the top of the fan. "Celia," he said slowly, raising ] voice till 1t rang through the room, ''this Is not time for joking" The anger in his tone and his hurt expression frightened and bewildered her; with gesture of despair she turn- ed away.
 If only 1t hadn't been for the mus tacher' she murmured. half audibly.
 'Mustacher' he exclaimed eagerly, hopefulness staring into his tone "Is that your only objection? How I wish
 had known before I camel But I'll have it off directly" He was standing beside her again,
 and now he rested his hand on her | ell bat ell, .l~x
 touch and turned away, half crying and wringing her hands.
 Il thought I could have managed,
 but l shall have to tell. I can't go on like this" she sobbed
 Tell me what? That there Is some one else?"
 He turned abruptly away, and flung
 himself In the armchair, burying his face In his hands.
 Lust my luck" he said brokenly.
 But it's hard after all this time, and now when 1t seemed all plain sailing to hear that-that-I have a rival But" reproachfully. you needn't have kept me so long in suspense. Celia"
 A moments silence followed. Then she left her seat and walked to the fireplace and stood looking down at him, toying nervously with her fan.
 'f can't hear what you say" she said
 at last desperately, fiinging the fan from her. "I should have told you-I
 am deaf, but I couldn't bear to use my
 ear trumpet just at first. because
 I know men have horror of deaf old
 maids"
 She laughed hysterically as she pro
 duced the trumpet from the little bag at her side and adjusted it. Tt was just my silly pride." she con tinued quickly, "and l thought I could
 manage with my fan. You see, it has this tube In the center. which carries the sound through my lips-and then l understand lip reading-if 1t hadn't been that your mustache conceals yours"-
 "Is that all?" he interrupted eagerly
 starting up and placing his hands ou
 her shoulder. There isn't anybody elseY'
 Anybody else, wherep she asked bewildered.
 T mean any one you care more for than me-whom you intend marrying? ?. "N-no-" she faltered, the color rush
 ing into her cheeks; but what an odd question"
 Not at all," he answered delighted. ly. Cant you guess, Celia, what
 have been asking you, or" and his eyes twinkled merrily-"shall I begir all over againf'
 But 1t was scarcely necessary, fol
 though she blushed still deeper she did not now resist when he took her hands in his.-Mainly About People.