Frostburg mining journal., 1881-10-01
She was magnanimous little thing

governess, or she would have reminded
her elder sister that sitting all day with
curl-papered looks and dog's-eared nov
els was no way to obtain lucrative
situation Of any sort.
"It's very hard on me-" said Mrs.
Ashton, who sat with devotional book
in her lap and bunch Of grapes on 8
china plate beside her. eff Margaret
had been like any one else she would
have made brilliant match long ago."
Margaret did not remind her mother
how she had discarded Basil Hepburn
long ago, because he was not sufficiently
aristocrstic and wealthy to suit Mrs.
Ashton's lofty ideas-and how MIR.
Hepburn had since become rich man,
and man of mark.
"If he knew how very poor We are,
said Margaret to herself, with a sigh,
81 think he would be sorry. But
could not tell him; and now that he has
gone to travel in Egypt, and up the
Nile, it isn't likely I shall ever see him
sgain."
"You haven't any more voict than
sparrow said Mrs. Ashton.
"You have never cultivated what
little you have" said Mrs. Charlotte
"and the idea of your standing up tc
sing among those professional vocalists
is simply preposterousl"
But Margaret stood valiantly to hel
colors, and when the eventful night ar.
rived she stood there on the velvet.
covered platform, in her well-worr
black silk, softened by punches Of pale
pink rosebuds, and drapery Of misty
black lace, spray of rosebuds in hei
hair, and an intent look in her soft
brown eyes.
"Now don't fall" Mrs. Allenby had
whispered, as the portierers Of crimson
velvet were lifted for her to pass out
upon the mimic stage.
"No," she answered, quietly, "I shall
not fail"
But, for On instant, as she faced the
brilliant audience, the f utter of fans,
the flash of diamonds, the glitter of the
foot-lights seemed to blind and dazzle
her; suffocating sensation arose in her
throat.
81 am going to fall" she thought,
and the recollection of Charlotte's dis.
NAL prophesies occurred to her-hel
mothers representations of evil, her
own tormenting doubts.
81 will not fail |" she said to herself,
and advancing boldly into the little
arena, she faced the circle of intent
eyes, and began to sing.
Sweet and clear, like the liquid notes
Of lark, her voice scared up, until,
forgetting her own identity in that Of
Donizetti's Swiss heroine, she became
almost inspired; and at the close a per-
feet shower of bouquets rained down
upon the stage at her feet-an ovation
of voices rang up again and again in
deafening applause. But Margaret was
conscious only of one thing-she had
uot failed.
Mrs. Allenby welcomed her rsptur-
ously to the pretty little "green-room."
"My dear Miss Ashton" she cried,
"you are genius-a second Jenny
Lind Who was to suppose that you
had such divine voice? You are the
star Of my little concert-the prima-
donna of the EVENING" No, don't take
your bonnet, as Margaret mechanically
stretched out her hand for it. "You
must come in to the drawing-room.
They are all wild to know you"
"But I cannot" pleaded poor Mar
garet, with downward glance at her
dress. ~ am not prepared"
"You are perfect" said Mrs. Stewart
Allenby, with winning despotism. "Be-
sides, one of my guests says you are an
old acquaintance of his-Mr. Hepburn,
who has just returned from Palestine
and the Holy Land"
So Margaret was led into the midst
of the glittering throng, and introduced
here and there, until, like one moving
in a dream, she found herself leaning on
Basil Hepburn's arm.
$50 you are great singer" he said.
II never sang in public before in all
my life."
"You will be prouder and more
naughty than ever"
II never was humber in all my life. "
"Margaret," he uttered, softly.
swell, Mr.. Hepburn 2"
"Mr. Hepburn !. That sounds cold
Suppose you say, as you used to say,
Basil"
"But things are not as they used tc
be-" said poor Margaret, her heart be-
ginning to beat unevenly in her breast.
"Can they not be so again, dear little
Margaret ?" he whispered, bending his
tall head to the level of the cluster oi
rosebuds in her hair. "Can we not &c
back to the initial chapter of our lives,
and begin it all over again. am rich
man, now, but all my money cannot
buy me any treasure half SO sweet ani