Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1883-11-07
Alice.

Alice.
Yes" said the girl, passionateIv
my life is too narrow, too full of petfy
cares. Would it be any broader if /
married you? You don't know what
an unhappy, dissatisfied girl | am,
now tired of everything about me
FROM Monday morning till Saturday
night | must perform the same tire
some duties. Then there is ALWAYS the
rehearsal Saturday and the singing ON
sunday My father reads his sermons
TO me III the middle of the week so
that Is nothing new. Don't ask me 70
be your wife, Louis; you would be sor-
~ in year if | said yes"
Il thought you loved me-" said the
young man, sadly.
so DO; at least think | do" she
added with curious righteousness.
am sure, Louis, | love no one better
than you; but l tell you this kind of
life don't suit me-"
What would suit you, dear?"
L hardly dare to say; but | should
ike to be something great-to be look
ed up to, admired-spoken of with en-
thuslastlc praise. | should prefer TO
live in city where | could see prcat
people and art galleries and 90 to CON
certs-yes, and to the theatre, though
father thinks il so wicked"
All! Alice, dear, your head is turn
ed, not your heart; pray God. not
your heart. Going to the great CITY
has changed you; and vet if | remem-
Der you did not like your rich rela-
tives"
No, nor they me, but they found
me very handy. | could make over
their dresses and embroider dainty lit
tie neckties and serve them in a thous-
and ways; yet slave-life though it was
IN one sense, they have invited me and
| am going there again to stay six
weeks.
"Oh, Alice!'
And then when | come bacl5-if
do"-she paused a moment. for Lonis,
face had changed, and after all She
loved him better than she knew-"I
VIII give you your answer"
III you come back. Good-by, Alice"
Are you gOing?"
by should stay? You will not
come back, Alice. Goodnight and
gOod-by." GU"
"GoOd-by, then" she answered
proudly, and hurried into the norcb Of
the parsonage, hot tears crowding up
to her eyes.
Il don't care for him at all; WHY
should cry?" she asked herself angri-
ly, as she entered the parlor.
Alice" her father called, "brin@ me
my church history. Thank, you child;
but what makes you so pale, birdie?3
Nothing, father, only I'm tired
Good night" and Alice sought her own
room.
One week more and Alice was on
her way to the city to live over again
what had been before life of torture
rendered endurable, however bv
one cherished underlying purpose.
Her mind was made up. PeoDle told
her she had talents. Her father even
who seldom praised, had once said that
he feared for his poor little motherless
E'fi because Sne mad genius:
Nine. LeMuir has just given audi
ence to an impOrtunate woman. whose
story OF Indebtedness had drawn large
~ upon her sympathies. Indeed. She |
had had several calls that morning.
none OF them pleasant; but she seldom
permitted the poor to leave her empty
handed, and she was wont to saw that
such people were better worth study
ing than all her books. From their
voices, gestures, pathos and their plead
ing she learned much.
There was knock at the door of
her beautiful parlor, and Marie. her
taVOrite maid, came in.
Another applicant?" asked the
madame.
Yes, but perhaps it is not best mad
anne sees her, though she is very differ
ent from the rest"
What is she like, Marie"
Like q rose, madame-tbe daintiest
mower OF a country maid" said the
girl, with a face so sweet that 7 OIL
most hope you will see her. After
nose sorrowful ones, think it would
DO you good, madame"
Perhaps it would. Ask her up; 1
am rested now"
Very beautiful was the slight Young
creature who entered the parlor q
afterward. Her dress was of
pure white, as fresh and delicate as II
could well be. Upon her head was a
pretty hat, edged with a single fall of
ace. A cape as simple in its fashion
IS her face was pure and innocent. fell
% her waist. Smooth, though we'll
worn gloves, fitted her hands. and she
looked, as the maid said, a very rose of
freshness and beauty.
For some moments the great artist
sazed delightedly upon this vision of
natural grace-sO pure, so refined. so
lrtless. ~
w nat do you wish of me, my dear?"
The girl started and trembied a lit
lie. Her cheeks were covered with
bushes, as she said, lifting her blue
yes reverently:
| saw you last night"
wei, and what did you think of
neE' asked the woman, smiling.
thought-Oh, | thought that to he 4
vs. gifted and as great as Won wouId
acrlilce-almOst-life itself"
And perhaps honor"
Inc woman's eyes glittered. Her
.oice was very low, and sounded as if ,
came from between closed teeth. !
lfter. s
My name is Alice Grahamme. !
m only country girl, but feel there 4,
that within me that would raise me !
o greatness. L have a talent for the
tage, l can recite for you if YOU wish
I. On, madame, you have influence:
our position is great; your name is !
written among the stars-will you let
ne, come where you areP win Won !
ind me some humble place where I can
earn to be like yop2n
lke me-to be like mel Poor
hid, are you madS"
Alice looked at her, startled by the 7
ollow ring in her voice. 9
Il say you are mad? Come now.
ou want me to be your friend. Twill
e the best friend ever you had. Oh.
ou are so like what was Heaven b
,eep you from becoming what / am t
lou shrink from me, That is as /
you'd have it, Keep as far from me