Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-09-08

| CurI-papered locks ana uOB b-ehTeu now
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 a
china plate beside her. "If 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
aristocratic and wealthy to suit Mrs.
Ashton's lofty ideas-and how Mr..
Hepburn had since become rich man,
and q man OF mark.
of he knew how very poor We are"
said Margaret to herself, with sigh,
"I 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 shall ever see him
again"
"You haven't any more voice than q
sparrow" said Mrs. Ashton.
"Iou have never cultivated what
little you have" said Mrs. Charlotte;
land the idea Of your standing up to
sing among those professional vocalists
is simply prepostcrous !"
But Margaret stood valiantly to her
colors, and when the eventful night ar
rived she stood there on the velvet
covered platform, in her well-worn
black silk softencd by lunches of pale
pink rosebuds, and drapery of misty
black lace, spray OF rosebuds in her
hair, and an intent look in her soft
brown eyes.
"Now don't fail" Mrs. Allenby had
whispered, as the portierers OF crimson
velvet were lifted for her to pass ont
upon the mimic stage.
"No," she answered, quietlyi al shall
not fail"
But, for an instant, as she faced the
brilliant sudience, the hutter OF fans
the flash Of diamonds, the glitter OF the
foot-lights seemed to blind and dazzle
her; a suffoca'ing sensation arose in her
throat.
81 am going to fall" she thought,
and the recollection of Charlotte's dis
NAL prophesies occurred to her her
mothers representation Of evil, her
own tormcnting 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 tina. Of
Doniletti's Swiss heroine, she became
almost inspired; and ut the close a per
feet shower Of bouquets rained down
upon the stage at her feet-an ovation
of voices rang mp again and again in
deafening applause. But Margaret was
conscious only Of enc .hing-she had
not failed.
Mrs. Allcnby welcomed her uptur.
ously to the pretty little "green .rosrp,""
my dear Miss Ashton" she j -,
"you are a 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 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 dream, she found herself leaning on
Basil Hepburns arm.
So you are great singer" he said.
l never sang in public before in all
my life."
You will DO prouder and more
naughty than ever"
L never was humber in all my life"
Margaret" he uttered, softly.
Well, Mr.. Hepburn p
"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 be-
ginning to beat unevenly in her breast
Can they not be so again, dear little