Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-08


grew stronger. 1t is well said that pity is akin
to loveS Have l told you he was dumb, poor,
poor fellow!
Mrs. Brown was enthusiastic over him; she
could not have cared more for son. AS I rose
to go, urged her to call and be sure to
bring Dannie Norton with her. She did not call
him Mr." Norton, and did not wish to
correcting her, Besides he had lived in her fam
lily since the very first having lost all his relatives
in terrible drowning catastrophe.
At last went, conscious l had made a good
impression. The next day he passed by, he
looked up at my window with that inexpressible
look in his eyes. One morning Mrs. Brown said,
standardization the first she seemed to divine
it all-that she would come that very evening, he
would never come alone, his affliction made him
so bashful.
might be so important to me. young girl
would have spent the greater part of the time
before her mirror; did not for I was singularly
free from vanity. | made my sittingroom per-
feet bower, and prepared a tempting little sup
per- He look pleased and surprised, then sank
pensvely upon the cushioned chair before the
fire. We had delightful time, the first of a
pleasant series In short, he became so attached
to me that he would rise and sit by me, and often
put his head on my shoulder. Don't be shocked
he knew nothing of the cold formalities of So
ciety, and was as innocent as child.
At last he became mine; use the expression
because my poor dumb Dannie seemed so help
less, bereft of the God-given power of speech. I
determined he should never regret 1t, and oh, how
full period when he sat by my side when the cur
tains were drawn, and the teakettle simmered
and the shaded lamp diffused its mellow radiance
the crimson room-oh, it was just the bright
est little nook imaginable.
Gradually he fell into the habit of staying out
evenings, but I felt no uneasiness; poor, blind
FOOL One evening parted with him at the door
and stood gazing after him as he entered Mrs
Browns I was very busy or I would have gone
myself; so busy that when the clock struck eleven
l started In surprise. He had not come in.
waited quite while. Pride prevented my seek
ing him at Mrs. Browns she might think
fussy. So leaving the door open-I wasn't a bit
afraid of burglars went to my room. I don't
know how long slept when awakened by
appalling sound if all the toot-horns ever
manufactured had Joined partnership with in
Vulnerable steam-whistles, for the production of
this Internal racket.
I listened; all had become silent Pshaw!
it was a nightmare No; long low moaning
tone, then gradual swell and it burst upon the
night air.
"As all the iends from Heaven that fell
Had pealed the banner cry of He'll"
rushed to the window. Oh, how mistaken I
had been! 1t a serenade. That why
he had remained away long, arranging to give
pleasant surprise.
I could just discern the performers. They were
in the midst of duet, think, at least would
begin and when he finished another would take
it up, then all Joined in the chorus that made
the wekin ring Something from opera,
may be; had been to the opera once, and this
sounded just like It, Now not fond of sere-
nades, and I have temper, most women
have, and began to speak very fast, but at the
first word they all ran away as fast as they
could.
I quite angry threw myself into my little
rocker, and waited for him to come in, but in
stead heard the melody at distance. I grew
tired and at last dropped asleep I have deep
feelings, but am not sentimental
When morning came he was still absent This
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