The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-07-29

to which the young debutante had been or
would be subjected, the singing Of the
Gave"
A rustling movement among her auditors
and the air of expectancy they wore, as
Alice arose in the choir, evinced that their
interest was concentrated on this particular
performance.
"You have brought an extra copy with
you, presume, Miss Fortescue ?" said the
organist as he arranged the notes before
him on the instrument.
"No, have but that one," replied AL
ice; "but it matters not, as am perfectly
familiar with the piece"
"You will not attempt it without the
notes p said the former, with some little
astonishment.
have.no other alternative rejoined
Alice, with smile, sunless I look over
your shoulder, which would be somewhat
awkward"
The old gentleman said no more, but
with doubtful shake of his head turned
to his instrument and commenced the per-
formance.
Whatever nervousness troubled Alice on
her first essay that evening, she experien-
ced none now. She was one of those who,
let the emergency be what it may, seemed
endowed with power to meet every demand
that may be made upon them. Encouraged
by the success that she had already attain.
ed-for all singers and public speakers are
quick to discern whether or not they have
secured the sympathies of their hearers
she entered upon her task with the fullest
confidence.
The moment her pure, sweet, magnetic
tones were Aeard there was an instanta-
neous hush throughout the church, as if 9
sudden spell had been wrought upon the
audience. AS she proceeded and entered
more fully into the subject she was render
ing, she seemed to lose all consciousness Of
her surroundings, and poured forth her pc
tition with passionate fervor, which man
ifested 60 all that she was not rehearsing g
part, but that her utterances sprang from
the impulses of her own exalted spirit
She made the prayer her own, and the
pathes with which it was offered, and the
effect it produced upon the listener, were
not triumph of art, but of nature.
AS her voice arose, now in impassionet
alteration, now in fervent supplication, and
again breathed low in penitential confes
sion, glance at the audience, sitting mo
tionless, almost breathless, was sufficient tC
show that she held her listeners in complete
thraldom.
The final "amen' fell from her lips, anG
still the same profound hush was observed,
until, flushed with emotion, Alice turned
to resume her seat, when the combined
plaudits of the choir, followed simulta.
neously by those in the pews below, broke
the stiffness.
The aged organist left his instrument,
and taking the hand of the blushing girl,
said, in voice full of feeling:
"Heaven bless you, my child We now
know how the angels singP'
In short time the committee in body
entered the choir, and were introduced to
Alice by the chairman, each of whom con-
graduated her on her success, and bestow-
ed the most flattering encomiums on her
performances.
On introducing the several members OF
the committee, the chairman, Mr.. Pryor,
remarked, as he presented one gentleman
"This is Mr. Frederick Stanley, Miss
Fortescue, the gentleman spoke of when
] called on you, who, by the chance of
hearing you sing the other evening has
secured such valuable addition to our
choir"
AS Alice gracefully exchanged the usual
courtesies, she was mentally querying,
"Where have l met him before ?" It was
not until she had retired for the night that
it came to her mind, that it was at Miss
Dunbar's, on an occasion already known to
the reader.
Before leaving the choir, Mr.. Pryor apol-
ogized to Alice, saying that he should be
detained by parish business, but that Mr..
Stanley had kindly volunteered to attend
her home; he hoped the arrangement would
be satisfactory to her. OF course Alice was
more than satisfied to exchange her elderly
beau for one score of years younger, al
though she did not SO express herself to
the worthy chairman. AS Mr.. Pryor did
not remain at the church, but proceeded
directly to his own domicile, it looked very
much as if there had been colusion be-
tween the two members of the committee.
Alice was very much pleased with her es-
cort. He was an ardent lover Of music,