The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-10-22

#'N the idea of your standing up to
sifE'anlong those professional vocal
7's n simply preposterous r.
slt Margaret stood yaIiantly to
;as,O Sae j lofs, and when the eventful
Hgstet9 Izetl shR stood Aflaere onsflse
'et-e5 scfetl rtatiofin, III her we'll.
worn black silk. softened by punches
of pale pink rosebuds, and drapery
of misty black lace, spray of rose
buds in her hair, and an intent look
in her soft brown eyes.
Snow don't fail" Mrs. Allenby
had Whispered, as the portierers of
crimson velvet were lifted for her to
pass out UPON the mimic stage.
me-" She answered, quietly, 81
shall not fill"
But, for an instant, as she faced the
brilliant audience, the flutter of fans,
the flash of diamonds, the glitter of
the foot-light seem to blind and
dazzle herr suffocating sensation
arose in her throat.
II am going 20 fall" she thought,
and the recollection of Charlotte's
dismal prephesies occurred to her
her mothers representations of evil,
her own tormenting doubts.
II will not fail !" she said to her.
self. 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 perfect shower of bouquets
rained down upon the stage at her
feet-an ovation of voices rang up
again andagain in neutrality-suspicious..
But Margaret was conscious only of
one thing she had not failed.
~ rf<- = nanny yfsSVclofAfneeisshers ra n
turously to the pretty little ''green-
ROOM"
"My dear Miss Ashton, she cried,
''you are a genuis-a second Jenny
Lind Who was to suppose that you
had such divine voice? You are
the star of my little concert-the
primadonna of the evening? No.
don't take your bonnet" as Mar
garet mechanically stretched out her
hand for it. "You must come into
the drawing-room. They are all wild
to know you"
"But | cannot" pleaded poor Mar
garet, with a downward glance at
her dress. 81 am not prepared"
"You are perfect" said Mrs. Stew
art Allenby, with winning despotism,
"Besides, 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 intro.
duced here aid there, until, like one
moving in a dream, she found herself
leaning on Basil Hepburn's arm.
"Soyou 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 so humble in all my
life."
Margaret" he uttered, softly.
"Well, Mr.. Hepburn ?"
"Mr. Hepburn {! That sounds cold.
Suppose you say, as you used to say,
BASIL"
but things are not as they used to
be-" said poor Margaret, her heart
beginning 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 of rosebuds in her hair.
"Can we not 60 back to the initial
chapter of our lives, and begin it all
oyer again. l am rich man, now,
but all my money cannot buy me any
treasure half so sweet and priceless as
your love. Dearest Margaret, tell
me that you. too, baye not entirely
forgotten the pasI."
And Miss Ashton went home from
Mrs. Stewart Allenby's matinee
musicale an engaged young lady.
HI didn1t fail affnr all y she aaid