The Farmington times and herald. (Farmington, St. Francois Co., Mo.) 1902-1905, 1903-12-31
A SILENT
COU RTSHIP
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| n ONALD GROSVENOR paused on
~ the hillside with his easel under
his arm. and stood surveying his sur.
roUnd!lis with a critical eye, Before
him lay the picturesque valley with its
neat cottages and patches OF deep dark
woods But the OBJECT on which he
fixed his attention was Curiously
| shaped rock in the center Of field
against n baci ground of delicatcly tint.
ed sky. II WAS shaped like the ruins of
an old castle and was of gigantic pro-
portions
Il must paint that when II is bathed
with the hues OF n glorious sunset q"
unused Donald.
After aGmiring the scenery before
him for a low moments he turned ard
slowly resumed his climb On reach
Ing the brow Of the hill he came TO n
sudden halt. and an exclamation of sur
prise rose to his lips. for before him
sat young girl In front of an easel
She did not appear to notice his ap-
pronch and he stood regarding her
closely for moment. Then he stepped
tr!ne nearer 10 her and paused again,
thinh ng To attract her attention.
Il beg your pardon. he said at last
lifting his hat II had no idea | should
find anyone here"
He waited tor an answer. but she did
not sea Co. look up. lie moved still
nearer. and his shadow fell athwart her
canvas. She raised her head in startled
surprise.
He spn again. apolngcticaIly, Of
ferirg 20 retire If his presence would
annoy her. But she only ga2Cd at him
blanlly and pointed To her lips and
ears, shaking her head gravely
Then it dawned on him suddenly that
he had been talking To deaf mute He
gazed at her Ms If he doubted the pos
s!bIlity Of one so lovely being the vie
tim OF such grave misfortune
Her head was bent over her work
again. and feeling himself dismissed.
he turrcd aside and placed his easel Il
few PAGES away preparatory to com
mencinE work,
Il must paint that face" he muir
INJURED, III rhe comes again"
And she did come again. Each sue
cceding day found her at her easel.
and she was aiwa.s there before him
But all things must have an end, and
at last his work was finished He sat
before his easel on the last day Of his
stay, absorbed In thought. when he was
startled by "a low whistle ut his side
He loohcd up and bchcid an old Chum
Avery Lynn. regarding him amuscdly
"You?' he circulated in ama2cmcnt
What charming company" said the
other. In a low tone, who is shc?"
Il don't know, How came you here
Avery?"
Never mind that now. Don. Intro.
ducc me"
Il don't know who she is, | tell YOU"
reiterated Donald Only she is n deaf
mute"
by George! What n misfortune.
She's lovely as n dream. You're hard
hit, Don, suppose"
Il would give half my life If she
were like other girls"
II know the deaf and dumb alpha.
bet" Avery said. sugEestively
Find out who she is and where she
lives" said Don, eagerly
Was 1t fancy or the glow Of the sun.
set or did a flush creep slowly into the
face of the girl whom they discussed?
Her name is Elda Leigh. said Avery
at last, and Hike yourself she is only
gojourner here can learn no more
than that"
That will be sufficient" cried Doln!d
Again that deep flush swept over the
face Of the girl, but neither saw II.
II must go now, Don" said Avery.
consulting his watch. My friends are
waiting by this time You see we were
hunting and climbed tho hill to get n
better view of the valley. Good-by."
Ard Avery waved his hand and hurried
away.
but his coming had served to bring
matters to crisis between these two
who had known a silent companionship
for three long weeks Elda Leigh
We ched Avery until he was lost to view.
Then she arose and turned toward Don.
aid. II seemed to him she was about to
speak. and he was hardly surprised
when she addressed him.
Il must beg your pardon" she said.
"for the deception I'have practiced upon
You
You understand" she continued,
II at did not foresee should become
an eavesdropper. saw you coming up
the hill that first day, and not wishing to
retire or be disturbed, acted on the i'm.
pulse of the moment. and"
May | ask. Miss Leigh. he said, why
you should undeceive me on this. our
las. day togetherY"
Il thought It Just possible that we
nirht meet again. some day, and then
you would learn the truth. and perhaps