Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1868-05-14
an 4nteresting gtory.
THE VOICE IN THE PARLOR.

/
| Since his fathers death Guy Britton
with his old housekeeper, had lived alone
lat the Elms. A naturally irritating dis.
position had combined with the circum.
stances Of his early training, to make him
avoid society; and although still young.
he seemed to villagers already middle
|aged. A less healthful nature might
3have prcyed upon itself, growing morbid
land morose with solitude, but Britton's
mind and hand were alike too busy to drop
for lack of exercise.
In doors be had bis books for company;
outside there were his farm laborers to be
directed. and hundred plans of improve
ment to be arranged and matured. Ma
ture, which he loved. opened for him a
page of wonderful iliuminations. His
lands stretched along a river valley un-
surpassed in quiet beauty. full of still
places, where. Shut in by the thick foliage
Iof the wood from all inharmonious sights
and sounds, one might sit, as it were, be-
tween two heavens, the one reaching the
far blue above, the other mirrored In the
smooth stream below.
Itwas in these years Of self-contained
and active restfulness-to use seeming
paradox that Britton gathered strength
for very different after life. But it is
mot Of that after life-striking its roots
deeply into the foundations of society, and
|over-arching SO many .burdened and sor-
rowful ones with its benefcient shadow
that my short story has to do.
Adjoining the Elms was the summer
residence Of the Gibsons, family of lit
tie education or native refinement, who,
having been suddenly made rich by spec
ulation, devoted their best efforts to the
task Of maintaining an appearance becom-
ing their wealth Season by season Brit
ton dreaded the opening Of the house -
The very presence Of his neighbors. with
their train of company. their snowy dress
and boisterous mirth, seemed to hurt the
simplicity Of his own home.
Mrs. Gibson, confusing her servants
with contradictory orders. or scolding them
for real or fancied remissness. little sus-
pected that the tone in which she exercis-
nd har brief authority was proof Of her
unfitness for rne circle 70 wnItn sue aspfr=
ed. The familiar friendship Of the mas
ter of the Elms was a good upon which
her heart was set, and she piled poor Guy
with her most transparent Establishments
he groaning in spirit. meanwhile, to
see how utterly they were wasted.
Going one day to speak to Mr.. Gibson
on some business. Guy, as he came near
the house, heard a voice singing. He
could not distinguish the words. but the
melody seemed familiar. He thought he
must have heard it long ago. and as he
listened the perplexed memory shaped it.
self into vision of his mother rocking
back and forth in summer twilight, and
singing him to sleep His eyes grew
moist with the rush of tender recollections,
and still the sweet, thrilling voice sang on.
Who could it be? Could such voice
belong to any inmate of that house p
Impossible! And while he wandered,
the song ceased, and face appeared for
moment at the window. He had just
time to take it in glance-the delicate,
high-bred features. formed throughout
with sad thoughtfulness; the large blue
eyes. half yelled by their dark lashes; the
brown hair pushed back in wavy masses
the clear skin. its fairness frightened by
the effect of the mourning dress below.
The girl who answered Guys ring
showed him into the room, where Mr..
and Mrs. Gibson's sat over their lunch
Mrs. Gibson's face glowed with pleasure
''My dear Mr. Britton. we're so glad
to see you! Just to think" with re-
proachful smile, ''that you haven't beer
in before since we came down! Why
twas no more than yesterday that I wa.
telling Mr.. Gibson that I didn't believe
there was man living with more of lit
erary taste than Mr.. Britton. It's love
ly trait of character. indeed, I said. Blu
then there's body's health to be though
Ipf. and the claims Of society, you know
Mr.. Britton.'
Guy found it impossible to resist th'
pressing invitation to lunch; and being al
unwilling victim. with plate and napkin
bn bis knee. he was treated to running
ire of conversation. :.
II heard some one singing very finel.
Is I came." said Guy. bringing in hi
hort sentence by dexterous flank move
nent.
EYES," answered Mrs. Gibson, delight
Idly; ''that's Miss Deane, the new cover
ness that I've got for the children. The,
do say that her voice is remarkable, ant
I'm glad to find you think so, Mr.. Brit
lton. SO good judge as you are; as I tel
Mr.. Gibson. what genteel taste Mr.
lBritton has in everything? My children
all have taste for music-you ought t
have heard Professor Grindelwald com
pliment Janetta's voice, Mr.. Britton i
And when I think how necessary it is tha
: they should have the best teachers tha
I money can procure, I do feel that it's
real Providence to have found Miss Deane.
"Who is she, Mrs. Gibson?' p
3 "Oh, she's brought the very best of re
> ferences, Mr.. Britton. make it a poin
never to take any one into my service