Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1879-03-04
"Whatever you please, sir"

|
| floor.
..Bsin We will try zi-. said he.
| He struck the cords, aud rising up on the
wings of the sublime harmony, Mabls's voice
sosrsd like n bird.
| Si.nor Severe nodded when the aria wss
! over, and rubbed his hands eeefully.
| s.Madame," said he, ait is rs strong-it is
| sweet You have one idea of time and tune
| you know how to manage 70 voice.
"And ycu will give me a trial!'
Mable's heart was beating so rapidly that
she could hardly speak. The Signor nod
| ded.
"Aud if 20 musical committee accept you
mind, NADINE. l do not say zey wilij for
of all committees, musical committees are Z,
mcst capricious-we will give you ze salary
of six hundred dollars zs yesr. 1 pl"zs ~
organ; leads zs choir. when IL will be lead
at all" with shrug of his shoulders, land
shall you most highly recommend"
SIX hundred dollars Mable May tripped
home rs if her fee. were flying over rose
c'ouls instead of muddy March pavements.
Why, that was as much ss Messrs. Stint and
Scrape paid Gerald for his drudGcry work
behind the book. keepers desk. Six hundred
dollarsI 1t would double their income ut
once aud enable them to lay something by
for a rainy day, that comes to every one,
sooner or later. Oh could it be possible
that such good luck was in store for her.
1t was late on Sunday night when Gerald
| May sat ynwuiug before his solitary fire.
Msble had been spending the day and eVen>
/ ing with a friend-or at least so she said
aud Gernld was beginning to realize how
! lonely home was without its pervoding spirit
| At length the door opened and Mable came
in, rosy aud dimplcd, aud wrapped in huge
shawl.
Have -you been very lonesome, dear ?"
| she said. radiartly.
! I've felt just exactly like Robinson Crn-
! soc on his desert island, said Gerald with a,
! grmace. sAud what sort of a day have you
! bad, little woman I"
ooh, pleasant enough" !" evnsily.
"But tell me. Gerald, how have you wLiled
away your time y
"Tvo been to a fashionable church. no
! said, "St. Eudocia's in Magnolia Square
And l must tnke you there, Mable, to hear
the music. Why, it's equal to an oratOri"-
The tears came out of my eyes as listened
it seemed as if my soul were floating up,
and up, on tho current of this divine melo-
| dy." ..+..
"Was it very fine ?" Mrs Mays face was
! turned awoy. and she was fastening loose
button in her boot.
THE finest soprano ever heard" cried
Gerald, enthusiastically. You must listen
to her, Mable."
| The youug wife turned 10 him with hrim-
! ling eyes and cheeks suffused with crimson.
''Gerald, i" said she. II must tell you secret.
! j, too, was at St. EudOca's church this
morning"
! And you heard thst delicious soprsnoI"
! "Yes-uo-I don't know whether did "r
NOT, Gerald" finging her arms around his
| neck. II was the soprano at ST. Eudocia's.
| Oh, Gerald forgive me for keeping you in
ignorance so long. but dared not tell you
until knew positively that should eiihsr
succeed or fail And heaven be praised
have succeeded"
'Gcrald's eyes. too, we're full, in spite of
his assumed stoicism.
'My darling" he whispered carelessly.
And suppose they pay you como traing
salary Z"
"Six hundred year, Gerald, she an
swered with innocent triumph.
What" he involuptarily exclaimed.
That's something worth having. Why,you
must be genius little wife"
"We can save little money now, dear"
she said lightly; ''yOu needn't take any moro
of that tiresome law copying, and can bir"
a piano to practice with, and-nnd-oh
Gerald, am So happy"
For Msble May had at last succeeded in
attaining the goal Of the feminine ambition.
and wouldn't have enYied Eugland's Queen,
that night.