The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1881-09-28
LAnfBERTvILLE. N II, WEDNESDAY. sBPTEnfB

hossiohat Vocdiisto Is SIMPLY pfepOStef0uS =
But Margaret stood valiantly to her colors
and when the eventful night arrived sh,
stood there on the velvet-covered platform. ii
her weIl-worn black silk, softened by buuche,
of pale pink rosebuds, and drapery of mist,
black lace, spray of rosebuds in her hair
and an intent look In her soft brown eyes.
Nov don't fail,'' Mrs. Allenby had whis
pered, as the porticrers of crimson velvet
were lifted for her to pass out upon the mimic
stage.
NO" She answered. quietly, 81 shall moi
fail"
But, for an instant, as she faced the bril-
liant audience, the fiutter of fans, the flash oil
diamonds; the glitter of the footlights seemed
to blind and dazzle her; a suffocating sensa.
ton arose in her throat
81 am going to fail, " she thought, and the
recollection of Cbarlotte's dismal prophesies
occirred to her--her mothers prognostica.
tions of evil, her own tofmenting doubts.
81 will not failr 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 a
lark, her voice sored 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 aud again in deafen-
ing applause. But Margaret was conscious
only Of one thing--she had not failed
Mrs. AlleDby welcomed her rapturously 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
yoicea You are the star of my little concert
the prima donna of the evening No, don 4
take your bonnet, as Margaret mechanically
come into the drawing-room. They are all
wild to know you.''
"Bus cannot,' pleaded poor Margaret,
with downward glance at her dress. II
am not prepared
you are perfect" said Mrs. Stewart
Allenby with winning despotism. Besides,
one of my guests says you are an old acquaint-
ance of his-Mr. Hepburn, who has just re-
turned 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, sue
fonnd herself leaning on Basil Hepburn's
arm.
SO you are great singer" he said.
never sang in public before in all my
life"
"You will be prouder and more naughty
than ever"
g never was humber in all life"
Margaret" he uttered, softly.
''Well, Mr.. HepburnS''
Mr.. Hepburnl That sounds cold. Sup
pose 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
Margaretp'' he whispered bending bis tall
bead to the level of the cluster of rosebuds in
her hair. "Can we not go 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 and priceless as your love. Dearest
Margaret, tell me that you too, have not en-
tirely forgotten the past"
81 didn't fail after ALL she said, Iadantly.
"And had half asdozen applications to sing
again at private concerts, and Mrs, A Henby s
money will just buy my Wedding dress !, :
SO the current of true love was running
smoothly again, after all -sS