The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-05-02

n0f WOtoS-fem8lne0 In the memory OF
Mr.. Perkins; and on the following morn
ing, while he was experimenting the
papering of the reception room on the
other side of the hall, and listening to
Miss Paret's voice from the psrlor, he
became more and more convinced that
she really did need the assistance of the
tenor, the rest could be got along with
out, but the tenor was indispensable.
He'd been humming to himself all the
time, but of what service was this to
Miss Paret! On the spur Of the moment
be walked across the hall and through
the open door into the parlor. He saw
that her color rose, and that she turned
upon the piano stool and quickly con-
fronted him, and tor . moment he WISH
ed that he had never learned to sing.
II this impulse of bis should cost this
loveliest and best of Gods creatures the
least disappointment or even surprise,
bis epiglottis might - we'll be the most
ordinary in the wOrld-he would never
sing again. But her voice had no in.
dignation in it, nor her face, which was
the purest, the gentlest, the most VIM
ming, of faces.
Shall call mamma ? she said.
ooh no. he replied the pspering is
going on nicely; bat thought if you'd
allow me I'd just supply the tenor tor
you. | can see that the absence OF it is
> great impsdiment. If you wouldn't
mind, Miss Paret, l think you could
make out with my voice for the time
And he began without further pream.
BILE to sing the solo. Miss Paret followed
him with piano accompaniment, her
musical soul in her ears. Oh, how
vastly, UNNECESSARILY superior was bis
voice to the tenor she had boon accus.
toned to-Io any tenor, any voice !!
Presently he ceased, and tremblingly,
but sweet, she took up the refrain. Then
he Joined in with her, and for about ten
minutes or so the paper hangers on the
other side of the corridor, the maid SER
want in the kitchen, and the man servant
in the hall, listened, open.mouthed, to
these scraphic strains that seemed
straight from Paradise. Unfortunately
they scared up into the sitting room
above, wherc Mrs. Paret was making up
her domestic accounts, and SO engrossed
was she that she did not at first realize
that mans voice was mingliDg with
that of her daughter. When she did, she
she made up her mind it WAS Mr.. Barnes,
tho church tenor. But Mrs. Psret was q
musical critic and very soon concluded
those full rich notes did cot belong to
Mr.. Barnes. Besides, he had gone to the
city she saw him 20 to the train half
an hour before. Who could 1t be? The
voice was certainly q strange one-won-
derfully fine, but strange. Mrs. Paret
dropped her book, put her pen Gil behind
her ear, and went down into the parlor.
Imagine her horror, her disma y, her in
dignation, to find that wonderfully fine
but strange voice in the possession of
Mr.. Perkins And to find her daughter,
the acknowledged queen Of Riverview
society, deigning to mingle her voice
with bis, and accompany him while he
sang!
The poor girl hung her head when she
saw her mamma. She knew there wasn't
q bit OF harm in the situation it was
only the impulsive kindness of Mr.. Per-
kins. and the yearning for harmony
which beset q musical soul. II she could
only tell her mamma-explain to her
Mr.. Perkins motive and her own. But
she could see that Mrs. Paret was grow
ing redder and redder; that her usually
rubicund complexion was deepening to
q rich mahogany; that she was swelling
up, so to speak, with rage and indgna-
ton.
Mr.. Perkins could see this for himself,
and FASTENED to apologize.
1T was merely musical intrusion,
madam no said. Il saw that your dsugh-
ter needed tenor, and without pausing |
to think, offerd it to her,
I'm sure Mr.. Perkins 10 always very |
kind faltered Grace.
Kind = echoed the exasperated ma
iron. I'm about sick Of Mr.. Perkins
and his kindness. He'd oblige me by
taking it and himself out OF the house,
and never entering its doors again in any
or under any circumstance.
Mr.. Perkins bowed bis head meekly,
went over to Grace, and took her tremb-
ling hands in both bis own for . half
second, bent bis head again rsverentIy
10 the naughty stare of Mrs. Paret, then
went across the ball, gave . few direc-
lions TO the workmen there, and walked
out.
That night Mrs. Paret beamed refoi.
gently at the head OF the table. She Was
glad now that il happened - it did. She
Was rid OF that intolerabie Mr.. Perkins
It once and forever.
The impotence of yourmau Perkins,
The said TO her husband, 'overresched It.
elf TO day. l ordered him out OF the
,ouse.'
You did " said Mr.. Psret, putting his
knife and fork down, and looking at the
partner Of his bosom. And what did
10 say !!
'Sayi What could be ssyr
what did be do!
DO! What could he do! He went
,ut as he was ordered, and I've forbid
len him entering the door again in any I
;apscity.
A grim smile distorted the features OF
dr. Pares. He bad not smiled much Of
ate, 90 that this working Of the muscles
gas really . distortion.
Il suppose he'd obi:ge you il he could,
aid Mr.. Psret. Tve found him . very ,
lind and accommodating fellow bat he
an help himself in this case /,
.ln what case, Mr.. Paret' What do ,