Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-03-28
fContinued from FIRST page.l


choir. Jane lancied that these simple
villagers were entertaining an angel un-
awares, and unconsciously doing homage
to melody that would one day enchant
the world.
But suddenly the exquisite notes were
hushed, and looking over at Dora. Jane
found her, with clasped hands and rapt
eyes, listening TO a strain from Miles Van
Dorm. And even when the strain was
finished, Dora's eyes still rested upon
his with an expression that caused that
chill to run down the vertebra OF her
sister Jane.
The next day Jane carried her young
sister off with her to the city. She was
a reluctant traveller, and dropped percep-
tably every mile farther from home.
Although Jane persisted in drives and
promenades, concerts and receptions, al
though she procured for Dora all the
amusement that money and n respectable
share OF influence could obtain, Dora re-
manned obstinatelv docile, but weared.
"A decided case of ennui," said one of
James friends. live never seen that
bored expression so perfect before. I'm
afraid. Miss Fairfield. it's genuine: your
field daisy won't bear transplanting."
Jane WINGED at this but bore 1t dog
gedly, until three weeks later. the pro-
lessor himself declared that the child must
go home.
''Do you not see, nv friend Of friends, "
cried the professor, "that even her voice
is dwindling away? 1t is thin-thn TO
attenuation there is no longer power nor
compass. See. now, she must 90 back to
the green fields and the daises. 1t is a
terrible sickness this mai du pays. In
the years that are gone, Mees Fairfield,
was nearly dying with it myself To long
for ones native sky, for the air that nour-
ished the young life, you see"
II don't see, " said Jane, testify, with
an air of stern contempt. "Iou needn't
tell me its all inconsistencies
Every bit OF it, Mees Fairfield. Tell
her now this night that she shall 90 home
tomorrow, and let us mark he result"
So Jane dropped into Dora's listless
ear few magical words, OF which one
was "home," and forthwith that PREACHER.
Gus color leaped to Dora's cheek, her lips
trembled. "Oh, Jane p she murmured,
and two big tears of Joy fell out of her
trembling eyes.
One little hour after, she sang divinely
to the professors accompaniment. The
6Ooo thoh tidpotd HIS duu iDOhtu
up with devout enthusiasm.
"Ach schon." he said, "W0nderSchOn r.
and the exclamation was volume in it,
self. 1t prophesied success and glory,
the fulfilment OF all their dreams.
81 suppose il might be inconsistencies"
whispered Jane to herself. consoingly,
there's so much OF maudlin sentimental
ity in their natures. Ii this old idiot of "a
professor babbes thus of green fields and
daisies, why shouldn't it be for DoraP"
All the way home, however. moody
skepticism weighed upon the soul OF Jane,
and it was not until Dora had partaken
with spirit OF the delicacies provided her
Tor the evening meal. and nestled close to
her mothers side in the evening twilight.
singing softly but joyously, little hymn
they ali loved, that Jane was allowed to
rest upon the thought that it was only
homesickness, after all that allied Dora.
But even as they sat there, hemmed in
with ropes OF tangled shrubs, the fragrant
scent OF hop vine slyly sleeping the
practical soul OF Jane to a sem-intoxica-
ton, Dora's sweet voice seemingly pat
OF the dew and the twilight. and all OF it
wondrously resting to the poor tried mod
tste from town--even then a big shadow
doomed up before them, and rather hard
rasping voice said, I've come 10 bid
You good by"
Jane cast one look at Dora. The rosy
lips OF the child were still parted with the
last note OF the song her little white hands
stretched forth nncOnsciously TO the new
conner, and faint echo of the word good
by" reached Jane.
why, dear me r' said Mrs Fairfield !
II never III ought to tell YOU that Mr.. Van
Dorm is going away. Ralph Peyton has
eeaxed him of to his church ia the city
TO be chorister there; aud our folks don't
like 1t bit, either. But suppose lis
best for Mr.. Van Dorm; there amt much
chance Tor getting ahead here. What with
tagging at the village store all day and
teaching school at night, can't see when
he gets chance TO read law but believe
he done it some how or other"
THAT is one reason why can't stop and
talk with my friends like other folks.
said Mr.. Van Dorm but can only find
time to say good by. | shall miss Mss
Doras voice IN my new choir. 1t is al
ways full and rich but never noticed Till
tonight the haunting sweetness about it,
That gets by the senses into the soul, and
stays there when the music is fled"
HUMP said Jane; you'll never make
much OF a lawyer il you din such stuff as
that in peoples ears
II don give way to it very often,"I
said Van Dorm laughngly, and made his
way over to Mrs. Fairfield and Dora. Sud
denly Jane saw the slender figure of her
sister stagger few steps towards the door,
then sink forward. Jane sprang TO catch
the falling form, but Van Dorm already held
her IN his arms, and lifting her into the
sitting-room placed her gently on the old
chintz-covered lounge near The window.
1T is the heat, think, =" said Van Dorm.
with flush OF surprise and alarm in his
face.
Yes" said Jane. bitterly, sit is the
heat, and you'd better get away; the few
--ef people we have here devouring the air
the better"
Van Dorm cast one more lingering, puz-
ziea, plying look upon Dora's PROSTATE
form, then went away.
Dora soon recovered consciousness. and
SAID no word OF complaint; only asked
that she might go to her room at once.
II wonder what allied Dora p said Mrs
Fairfield, when they had put The child to
bed, and descended again to the sitting
room.