The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-23

the extreme left. No one answered. but
Che door standing ajar. he pushed It
quietly open, being anxious TO make sure
that Mrs. Dec was not there
The next moment he was reckoning TO
Hazen.
Look said he. holding the door open
with one hand and pointing with the
other TO n young girl sitting on low
stool by the window. mending or trying
TO mend q rent in her skirt.
why that's Georglan," exclaimed Ta-
zen, and hastily entering he approached
the anxious figure laboriously pushing her -
needle in and out OF the torn goods. and
pricking herself more than once in the
attempt
"Georgianr' he cried again and vet
more emphaucslly. as he stepped up In
front or her
The young girl failed 10 notice Avl1-
wardly drawing her thread out to its ex-
treme length. she prepared to insert her
needle again. when her eve caught sight
OF his figure bending over her. and she
looked UP quietly and with an air 81
displeasure. which pleased Ransom-ho
could hardly tell why. This was before
her eyes reached his face; when they
had. IL was touching to sec how she
tried to hide the shock caused bv it's
deformity. as she said with slight
gesture Of dismissal:
I'm quite deaf cannot hear what
YOU say. II Il IS the iandlady YOU want.
Sne mas gone DOWNSTAIRS TOT q minute.
perhans. to the kitchen"
lie did not retreat: ~ ANYTHING he ap-
preached nearer. and Ransom was SUR
prised to observe the force and persua-
sivc power OF his expression as he re-
peated.
''No nonsense, Georgian opening and
shutting his hands as ne spoke. in curious
Eesticulations which her eve r1echani-
callv followed but which seemed to con-
vey no meaning 10 her. though no evil
IDENTIFY expected them TO. and Iooked sur
prised G2ansom almost thought bafIeD
when SHE shook her head and in a sweet,
impassive way reiterated
Il cannot hear and 40 not understand
tho dear and dumb alphabet I'm sorry.
but you'll have 90 20 TO some one else.
I'm very unfortunate. 7 have 20 mend
this dress and don't know how"
Hazen. who could hardly tear his eyes
from her fare. fell slowly back as She
painfully and consci tiouslv returned 20
her task ''COod Cfod"' ne rnurrnurcd NJ
his eve sought Ransom's What a. like
ness"' Then he looked again AT the Girl.
at tho wave 81 her raven black hair
breaking Into little curls Just above her
ear; at the smooth forehead rendered so
DISTINGUISHED by the fine penciling OF her
archinC brow: at the delicate nose with
nostrils all alive 20 the beating OF an
Over-anNious heart at the mouth. touch
ing In its melancholy 50 far beyond her
years: and lastly at the strong young
figure huddled on the little stool: and
bending forward again. he uttered two or
three quick sentences which Ransom
could not catch.
His persistence. or the near approach
OF his face 20 hers. angered her. Rising
quickly to her feet. she vehemenuy cried
out:
go away from here. It Is not right to
keep on talking TO a DEAF girl after she
has told you she cannot hear YOU" Then
rfo.l ~ d. -
vaDced a stem in his svmpathv for her.
she rave a little sigh OF relief and added
QuerulousIy:
landladv's room. I don't Ike 70 have
strangers Talk 20 me. Besides" here
her voice fell but not so low as 10 be
inaudibie TO the subject OF her remark.
hes not nrettv. Two seen enough OF
men and women who are"
At this point Ransom drew Hazen out
into the hall.
what do you think now?' lie de-
msnded
Hazen did not reply The room they
had lust left seemed to nOssess = strange
fascination for him. Tie continued TO
lo0to back at It he preceded Ransom
down the hall Ransom did not press
his questions. but when they were on
the point OF separatnG at the head Of
the stairs. he held IIazen back with the
words
''Tet us come to some understanding
Neither Of us can desire TO waste strength
in wrong conclusions. Can that woman
be other than your own sister,"
No" The denial was absolute. "She
IS nv sister"
"Anitra? ?" emphasized Ransom
The smile which ne received i'm reply
was strangely mirthIess
Il never rush q conclusions xrvqc 10