Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1901-11-29

"Now YOU must have some tea, she
said. after rather an awkward pause
laying down her fan, and moving 10
the table "Belng an old maid I'm
rather fussy, so you must not taih
while I'm making tit distracts my
attention" she added with forced III
tie laugh.
He watched her with growing pleas
ure ms her hands busted with the cups
the lamp rays touching the gold In her
hair.
"It's like old times, watching YOU
make tea, Celia. ! wish it would dc
my privilege always"
Il told you not to talk she SAID
with playful severity.
but | must. Don't be so tantaliZ-
ing, dearest I'm not to touch tea TIL
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, "to be my wife,
She glanced at him bewildered.
"Er-er-in fact, of course, scarcely
in theory" she said vaguely.
Cecilia" he exclaimed, what on
earth do you meanF'
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 it seems as
though
She looked up puzzled. What did
you say" she asked desperately. Il
did not quite catch it, but it is your
own fault. | told you not to talk while
| made tea-two Jumps of sugar, isn't
/ it: You see. I've remembered the cor
rect cumberland half the cream jug
/ you were always terribly greedy, col
oncl There" She handed him the
/ cup and caught up her fan. NOW you
must begin all over again. | don't
think you've lost the spice of humor."
And she flashed a nervous little smile
over the top of the fan.
Celia" he said slowly, raising his
voice till it rang through the room,
this is not a time for joking"
The anger in his tone and his hurt
expression frightened and bewildered
her; with a gesture of despair she turn
ed away.
IF only it hadn't been for the mus
tache" she murmured, half audibly.
"Mustache" he exclaimed eagerly,
hopefulness staring into his tone. rs
that your only objection? How l wish
l had known before l came. But Iii
have it off directly
lie was standing beside her again,
and now he rested his hand on her
shoulder; but she shrank from his
touch and turned away, half crying
and wringing her hands.
Il thought ! could have managed,
but shall have to tell. l can't go on
like this" she sobbed.
Tell me what? That there is some
one elsef'
He turned abruptly away, and flung
himself in the armchair, burying his
face in his hands.
Just my luck" he said brokenly
Put it's hard after all this time. and
now when it seemed all plain sailing
to hear that-that-I have 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.
Il can't hear what you say" she said
at last desperately, finging the fan
from her. Il should have told you-I
am deaf. but couldn't bear to use my
ear trumpet just at first, because l
thought you would regret having come.
| know men have a horror of deaf old
maids
She laughed Historically as she pro-
duccd the trumpet from the little bag
at her side and adjusted it.
1T was just my silly pride" she con
tinued quickly. land l thought l could
manage with my fan. You see, it has
this tube in the center which carries
the sound through my lips-and then
| understand lip readng-if it hadn't
been that your mustache coneeals
yours
rs that allE' he interrupted eagerly,
starting up and placing his hands on
her shoulder. There isn't anybody
elseE'
anybody else, where?" she asked /.
bewildered.
Il 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 l
have been asking you, or" and his
eyes twinkled merrily-"shall l begin
all over agan?"
But it was scarcely necessary, for
though she blushed still deeper she did
not now resist when he took her hands
in his.-Mainly About People.
Important experiments are being
made in Berlin to demonstrate that
nura Oyyuan may he IlSa1 70 Uiva raliaf