Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1882-05-25
ST. STEPHENS CHOIR.

ST. STEPHENS CHOIR.
Evening service was just over and
leaned over the balcony of the organ
loft towatch the people pass out. Very
few are worth looking at, | think with
the intolerance of. young and pretty
girl for less favored mortals. A good
many looked up at me; but | have held
the position of soprano at St. Stephen s
for three months and am rather harden
ed to the public gaze. Suddenly met
the admiring eyes of n tall, handsome
stranger, and coloring slightly drew
back out of sight. The next instant
inyoluntarily bent forward to catch the
last glimpse of him, and as my wrist
strikes the railing the fragile clasp OF
my bracelet snaps and falls over into
the throng.
1t is my poor dead mothers bracelet,
almost my only ornament, and | would
not lose ii for the world just as | am
about to send Jack Lewis. my sworn
knight, down stairs after it, the stranger
entered the organ loft and comes directly
to me. He is very handsome, certainly,
with the easy gracious bearing of a
prince But my loyal heart refuses to
believe that he is so noble and true as
Jack Lewis.
II think this bracelet is yours, Miss
Hastings" he said. II saw it drop
from your wrist and caught it before il
struck the floor
"Thank you ever so muchr l said
gratefully, extending my hand; he pin
ions it firmly in one of his own, while
with the other he replaces and fastens
the bracelet. The action is deferential,
yet so familiar that stand embarrassed
blushing all over An utter stranger to
hold my hand so! Why, even jack
began to think this man is rude; can
feel his bold eyes resting on my carmine
cheeks, my mouth. my long down-drop-
ped lashes, and for once in my life
wish | was not quite so pretty.
Il heard there was a rare voice up at
st. Stephens and was not misinform-
ed have been delighted with your
singing, Miss Hastings" he says,
warmly.
You are very kind Isay, dimpling
with pleasure.
THERE handihg.me his card. 'Let
me introduce myself, and you will see
that am somewhat of critic"
Ralph Arlington! | recognized the
name of Il wealthy amatuer musician be-
longing to the great world Of fashion in
which / have no part. | thank him
once more for the service he has done
me, and am turning away when he says
quite earnestly.
Il perceive YOU are unattended, Miss
Hastings. May | escort you homc?"
Before can reply to this audacious
proposal Jack Lewis intervenes, almost
pushing Mr.. Arlington aside, and turn
ing his back full upon him.
"Olive here your ulster; let me help
YOU on with it. It's beginning to snow,
and YOU have a long distance to 60"
Mr.. Arlington, thus supplanted, re-
treats politely, and strolls over to the
organ where Tom is still sitting. Tom
knows him and greets him cordially;
then introduces him to Susie Woodwork
the alto, and Emil Mesmer, the basso.
They are chatting gayly together when
Jack and | 90 down stairs and out into
the snowy night. {.
Jack why don't You let me alone?"
| began rather petulantly. "Mr. Arl-
ington was saying the klndest things
about my voice
"Oh, you'll see him again, never fear.
You're far and away the prettiest girl
he knows, and he will not be content
with one meeting"
what? Does he do nothing but run
after attractive young LADIES' | asked
curiouslv."
That's about where it Sights, " says
Jack, concisely; he understands the full
force and value of slang; Though the
married ones are more in his line,
believe"
How uncharitable you are! Wasn't
it odd about my braceletl'
He will think you dropped it on pur-
pose ut sight of him"
"Ah, well, | shall never see him
again"
IN lay you five to one"
Il never bet; but think if he were so
unprinciplcd as you say he would have
kept my bracelet
''As if Ralph Arlington would care to
steal that little thin thing" Jack
laughs.
THIS reflection on my cherished treas
ure MORALLY oifends me, and 1t rudge on
in suky silence for block, but Jack is
SO eontrite that | am Modified long be-
fore we reach Mrs. Rabbit cheap board
ing place, which is my only home. We
stand a few moments at the gate. The
snow flakes are falling thick and white
on Jacks shoulders; one or two drop
like gentle kisses on my uplifted face.
Its more than polite, it's extremely
kind of YOU to come all this long way
with me, Jack. say, earnestly. Il
only wish there was something ] could
do for you in return.
There is something you can do. I'll
tell YOU all about it soon. Good night,
darling He presses my hand and is
gone.
| enter the house. rush up to my little
carpetleSs room and flung myself down
on my knees, my heart beating wildly
to the music of those last words. j for
get that am a friendlesS orphan. alone
in a great city; forget the hupiliating
fact that | am forced to give my voice
in exchange for my daily bread, while
all the rest Of our choir are generous
volunteers; one happy thought excludes
all others-Jaek has called me darling
Ii is 10 o clock next morning before
remember the existence of any other
man. | am practicing at the miserable
ruin which Mrs Rabbit; calls piano
when this lady enters the room, bearing
Mr. Arlington card and big box con,
tanning a magnificent bouquet Of rare
eXp.ics.
"a servant in livery brung um, " say,
Ms. Bab0itt. sourly. Them thart
flowers must cost al o i've dollars.
That's makes it all the better" / say
gavlv. meeting her hard, cold, suspi
cious ewes with IN untroubed laugh
Why DOES she dislike my getting sucl
3 lovely gift2
By the end of the week their glorious
color and fragrance had suecumbed (
the icy atmosphere of the parlor-m!
own room Is verify the Arctic Zone it
self. To my delight the offering is re
peated again on Friday This time Mr.
Bahbltt merely filings the box on TIL
p.s1e ana stats oG N,aea. q word
iaoS al,,r dgr With wondering ewes.
Poor old thing, How she enyies me-
| say. compassionately. and bendin;