The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1870-09-08

I
The first few notes were marvelously
sweet, but trembling and uneven. Then
forgetting everything but her song,
her sweet voice rang through the hall,
stirring the hearts of all there. 1t was
not an operatic air like India's, but a
song that all could appreciate. India's
singing had been purely mechanical
Violet sang with her heart in it. The
sheet of music fell unheeded to the floor,
and raising her large blue eyes to the
audience, the young girl seemed to be
speaking to their very souls with the
voice of song. The last note was loud
and clear at first, then growing softer
and softer, fainter and fainter, until it
died away on the air. There was a
short sience-the audience held its
breath-then a perfect storm of ap-
planse. The young girl took her seat;
the applause continued They wished
the song repeated. She sang the last
verse again, and again it was loudly
encOred. Among ber numerous boquets
there was one which Violet selected
and carried in her hand for the rest of
the evening. 1t was net put on wires
with the flowers literally packed to-
gether as hot-houSe boquetS generally
are. 1t was composed of sweet scented
violets, white and pink moss rosebuds
and geranium leaves. After the audi
ence had dispersed Violet met Professor
Morton in the hall. She still carried
the boquet in her hand. He greeted
her with pleasant smile.
"AllOw me to offer my congratula-
tions Miss Vaue. was both surprised
and pleased tonight. Your song was
a decided success"
"Thank you Professor" she said,
and passed on to her room.
India was sitting before the mirror
with her long black hair unbound and
hanging over the back of the chair.
She did MT seem to be in very amiable
humor, for dark frown rested upon
her face and her eyes flashed angrily.
"Who was talking to you in the
hall" she asked, unclasping costly
bracelet and throwing it upon the table.
"Professor Morton"
"Ind eed he was congratulating you
upon your tcOnderJM success, suppose
said she sneeringly.
eyes. l suppose you heard what he
said, the door was open," said Violet,
who was little nettled at India's man
ner.
81 heard what he said Your song
seems to have charmed him completely"
81 do not see why you think that;
his words were very commonplace,
such presume as he has uttered to the
other girls who sang played tonight ,
There was long silence. Violet sat
down by the window and leaned her
head on her hand. 81 am glad it is
over," she said at length.
Who threw you that boquet7" said
India without needing her.
(Which one do you meant"
ooh excuse me, l had forgotten the
number you received. The one ofrose-
buds and violets."
II am sure l don't knows but is MT
it pretty7 and SO tastefully arranged"
81 supposed you knew from whom
it came, as you carried 1t in your hand
so tenderly."
"Indeed India, Iheld it for its beauty
alone"
"Violet, would rather have that
one simple boquet than all that were
thrown tonight"
81 am sorry India. would rather
you should have had it am l sure" an
swered Violet, who was somewhat puz-
zled at India's remark. Then she said:
"Do you know who threw it?"
professor Morton"
care you sure?
II saw it leave his hand"
"India Lester" said Violet, laying
her hand on the passive ones that were
folded together in India's lay," is that
the reason you would prize it so much!"
India's face flushed a vivid scarlet
she shook off her roommate's hand and
began to bind up her long hair. She
could almost have bitten her tongue off
for having thus thOughtlessly betrayed
her secret Violet sat down by the
window again and mused. "Why
should it not be 7" thought she-"they
are we'll matched am sure. Professor
Morton is one of the handsomest men
have ever seen, and India is certainly
beautiful. She has fortune, but intel
lectually he is far her superior and"
"There goes the last bell. i" said India