Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-05-29

LoVeI. through lis lOuS iiiuoco III
wife nursed him tenderly, but he cam
from 1t q broken-down old man, wit
bis ears forever sealed to all the com
mon sounds to which his life had beef
cot. He was slow in realizing this
but one day a. he lay watching hi
wife and doctor, tho knowledg
broke harshly upon him. H
could zee bis wife's lips NOV
q she smoothed the bed with her soft
wrinkled hand. but he could hear nj
word. Then he turned bis dull eyes
with . pitiful look Of pain darkenini
them, toward the doctor. He, too, wa
speaking, but the deaf ears could catcl
no sound. His weak, peevish voice
Jared suddenly upon their talk.
why don't ye speak so's I can heal
-, std O. mumbling SOL"
His wife started and then cast q
quick, imploring look at the doctor
Ehe leaned down over the bed; her face
was In the shadow and her husband
could not see her eyes.
do you hear me now, dear?"
The words reached him family, and
from Z distance. He struggled with
the sounds Z minute Or two before
they resolved themselves into words.
"Of course I hear ye," be said fretful-
y, only why don't 70 speak up?
amt 70 sick, be I"
The words were : little clearer now,
though still far Oh.
you have been very sick, but are
getting better fast. 1t has to be quiet
for you. you know, dear. but you will
soon be up, now"
The old man shut his eyes YEARLY;
the effort had been heavy one for
him. His wife turned to the doctor,
her eyes shining through her tears.
II can make him hear" she cried, II
knew l could. didn't believe Ezra
could get where he couldn't hear me.
And he needn't ever know now"
The doctor looked at her and said
nothing. He was young man, and 1t
seemed very pitiful to him.
But he had not understood the old
mans strong constitution. In a few
weeks he was about again, as we'll as
ever, apparently, save for the sealed
ears. His wife chartered to him In
her old fashion, and kept out Of sight
the medicines she took for her strained
voice; she cautioned the nelghbors who
came to see him, and thought that he
did not know. But she was mistaken;
there were other sounds-many Of
them-that had been woven into a life
Of nearly seventy years, and In place
OF these there was great vacant still
ness; and he knew all.
One afternoon she found him sitting
In the big wooden chair in the kitch-
en-, studying his old twisted hands. He
gave her tremulous smile as she came
In,
I'm most broken up, Hester" he
said.
DON'T" she cried, don't Ezra!-I
cant bear it! We're both getting old
Or, but that's all It's"
He shook his head sadly.
mo, faint, Hester-Ive been a-see-
Ing 1t for long time. You're young
yet-you can see and hear Just as you
ulster, but-I'm an old man, Hester.
You've been good girl, and we've had
. happy life together, but l didn't cal
culate for you to be tied up to an old
man. I've got to thinking about 1t |
lately, and sometimes l think folks was |
right and 1t hadn't orter BEEN"
The woman listened and a great |
pain seemed to beat up In her throat
and choke her voice. She leaned over
and put her trembling hands on his.
Ezra" she cried, and the appeal in |
her voice carried 1t with clear distinct
ness to him, Ezra, have l ever said or
done thing to make you feel so?"
He looked up, startled.
God knows you haven't, Hester" no
laid, earnestly.
And, Ezra, II anything should hap
pom to me-lf I should be sick or help
less, would you love me less! Would
vou?"
A change came over the old man;
t seemed for an instant that the face
II his youth looked back at her.
III 1t wasn't for your suffering, Hes.
Ter, wish you could see," he said al
most passionately.
It was q few weeks after this that
Hester caught severe cold. She was
n bed for several days, and Mamie
lad her husband and child to care for,
md her mother would not let her stay
ong.
They'll be needing you'll can get
long now" she said.
81 guess they can get along without
ne a little while longer" answered
iannie.
What say?"
Mamie looked alarmed; she raised
Ter voice aud spoke with careful en-
hasis.--
Il guess-they can get along-with-
nut me little WHILE" she repeated.
Her mother nodded.