The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-04-15

OOll hCCP Oll NY ing W IllQS
away like an ostrich. I've known
you were hard of hearing all the
time; so did everybody else in the
Office"
TITS just slight deafness in my
Il right ear" she said. II hear
perfectly, or nearly so, in my left"
Sure. But you use this ear con-
traption and you'll hear as we'll as
any one; make friends. too" He
went on giving her directions while
she gazed about in dismay lest d
Straying guest might catch a word.
Mrs. Matson caught her on her
way upstairs. "Oh, Miss OVENS"
she cried, "have you heard of the
gatherings we hold in the parlor
every month. just ourselves, you
know; music by some one invite
in; refreshments. Wouldn't you
like to come? Next Thursday
night"
Miss Owens expressed her willing
ness to attend, pressing the little
package she held closer to her side.
She went swiftly up the stairs and
closed her door tight.
On. Thursday evening, Mrs. Mat
son lit the sparkling chandelier in
the parlor and put vases of flow
ers on the high marble mantle; set
chairs about in half circles.
Miss Owens came early so she
could find place near the piano.
She wanted not to miss note, she
loved music So She saw though
that already present was Mrs. Mac
Intyre engaged in turning the
pages of a book.
MFRS. MCINTYRE looked regal.
1V1 She wore a purple silk dress
with high-boned collar She, too,
was seated in the front row Of
chairs, but at the very end. She
glanced up when Miss Owens en-
tered, greeted her shortly and went
on with her book.
No invitation to take a seat near
her; no friendly smile. And so the
two sat in this isolation till others
began to arrive.
At last there was mild chatter
of voices. Then the young musician
appeared; a niece she was of Mrs.
Matsons. In time she settled her
self at the piano. She not only
played well, but she sang, sweetly
enough to bring tears to the eyes
of some of her listeners. 20 Be-
lieve Me If All Those Endearing
Young Charms" recalled the mem
DRY Of some one who had sung
that line to her when the future
had seemed to promise only joy
But the singer was gone, vanished
into the shadows, and she had
Travelled her long. often weary
way alone.
The young musician at the last
sang an old lullaby Hush NV
Baby, Dream Land Calls" Nov
ingly done, but the rendition ap-
parently did not please Mrs. Mac
lntyre, who having sat through the
program, starring straight before
her, abruptly rose and walked out
of the room.
THE party over, Mrs. Owens
Il stood in her own room thinking
OF the music which she had been
able to hear quite plainly. There
might have been some tones that
escaped her, in her heart she was
sure there had been, but the even
ing had been very satisfying.
T,aaNifc how rNo,. ,,.;l1
might catch any remaining sounds
OF gayety downstairs, she heard too
distinctly for comfort, a heart
breaking sob, coming from that
front room.
She did not wait but was down
the hall and gazing through a half
opened door upon Mrs. MacIntyre
who lay upon her bed, quite aban-
doned to the sorrow that had caused
that bitter sob to burst forth. She
lay there. her body shaking, all the
courage, all the high pride gone. AT
her feet lay her knitting, the yarn
pulled away from the needles.
Mrs. Owens went toward the bed
and laid a hand on the shaking
shoulders II wonder if there is
any way I can help?" she asked.
Immediately Mrs. MacIntyre
stood up. The purple dress was
crushed, the high lace collar loos-
ened, but her dignity was returning
/ didn't hear your knock" she re-
proved.
"You didn't shut your door tight
L wish could do eo,,o4L;,.
THE flood broke again at was
L. that lullaby You've never
had a son whose children you loved
and sang to when they were babies:
never been made to feel later on
as they were growing up that your
ideas were old fashioned and
hurting. Shunted off at last to a
place by yourself and crumbs
thrown at you once a week. Never
known yourself to be a nuisance
because you were deaf
Deaf" Miss Owens repeated. "Is
that why you didn't answer me
when I spoke to you at the dinner
table: why you never even looked
my way?"
We'll, you set on my wrong side.
I'll ask to he changed" Then:
Il have no one in the world but a
sort of second cousin, but I can
understand just how you feel. What
it must mean to you that you're
not considered useful any more.
And with full courage now: I'm
deaf, too"
And been put in your place, too.
I'll warrant" Mrs. MacIntyre said
after a moment. We'll it seems
we can be friends on more than one
score
Yes, we can" Miss Owens an
swered, happier than she had been
| for some time: "and maybe we'll
find some things to do together
| thatll be pleasant and maybe USE
fuhs too
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