Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1885-04-09

fore herl With this only difference.
She had mentally pictured man past
middle-age, and Mark Castleton could
not have been day over thirty.
You seem startled" he said, looking
at her earnestly. "Is any thing amiss?"
The girl returned a stammering reply,
a deep flush of embarrassment upon her
face. Fortunately, Hrs. Dalton came
to her relief with one of her tart re-
marks.
II have brought Miss Dreeme home
with me, Mark, according to your in
structions. What is to be done with
her now she is here?o
MAKE her as comfortable and happy
as possible" was the smiling rejOinder.
Mrs. Dalton gave her head toss.
That is easily dom. All a school
girl wants is plenty to eat and leisure
to do as she pleases."
The firm, warm hand closed over Syl-
Was with lingering pressure.
"Poor child" he said, in kind tone.
~ know you are quite alone in the
world. / wish you to feel that Ingle-
side is home to you in every sense Of
the word"
The girls lonely heart went out to
him at once.
"You knew my father" she said,
tears. yelling into her lovely eyes. II
am glad OF that. 1t makes you seem
less stranger"
"Yes. We met abroad, and were
comrades III many pilgrimage. A
strong attachment grew up between us.
1t is real pleasure to befriend Randolph
Dreeme's daughter"
'"I-I-was afraid you might think me
burden"
His grave, kind eyes fingered upon
her face moment.
ANY thing but that, Sylvia. Never
again entertain such a thought"
Mrs. Dalton seemed to think it time
to interpose.
you have not questioned the child
in regard to the use she has made of her
opportunities" she said, tartly. ''They
have been wasted, Of course. 1t is al
ways the way"
Mr.. Castleton looked at her with an
amused smile.
ibid not Madam Pinkney have .
good report to maker"
'She said all she could conscientious
ly. But that was very little"
what shall 1 do, Aunt Margaret
Catechlse my ward in French, German
and Italian?n
You might ask her to play and sing"
xhlos DdlbOil dllO WIFI al
full shrug. ut will be fair test of her
ability"
Mr.. Castleton again took possession
of the hand he had released a moment
before.
There is piano in the next room,"
he said, in a tone of mock gravity.
sylvia shall be put to the crucial test
Immediately"
There was wistful expression in the
girls eyes as they questioned his on the
way out. AS if in answer to it, he bent
and whispered:
ut is better to humor Aunt Margaret.
Do not let her make you unhappy. Her
bark is much worse than her bite.''
Mrs. Dalton was close behind them.
She selected the most difficult piece of
music on the rack.
"Play this, Miss Dreeme."
:. At first Sylvia's touch was soft and
light as snowflake. But as the theme
grew in intensity the heavy chords
Numbered and reverberated through the
apartment. Even Mrs. Dalton drew
back astonished. Never had she lis
tened to such playing from an amateur.
Some persons play well who have no
voice for singing" she said, biting her
lip as she again tossed over the innum-
cradle sheets Of music. Here is an air
from one of the Italian operas. Do you
feel equal to undertaking it?"
II will do the best 1 can" Sylvia an
swered, sweetly.
Her singing was perfection. The
fresh, clear voice floated through the
room, filing the whole house " 18th
sweet; subtle melody. With the Fl rst
note Mrs. Dalton realized that she h ad
made mistake in urging the matte ,r,
and fell back with an ominous tighte u
ing of her thin lips. Was the young
girl in league with the evil one to be o
gifted?"
Mr.. Castleton had stood by, perfectly
silent; but with changing face. When
Sylvia would have risen from the piano,
he came step nearer.
"Will you sing once more-an Eng
lish song?" he said, in low tone.
Sylvia selected one at random. Mr..
Castleton was now standing where she
could see his face. She saw him start
at the first word, and grow deadly pale.
AS the song proceeded, he leaned
against the wall and covered his face
with his hands.
What did his agitation meanr Had
the song awakened unpleasant ecollec-
tions2 Should she desist?
Suddenly Mrs. Dalton swept her fin
gers from the keys with no gen Gle move
ment.
"What possessed you to CT loose that
song?" she sharply whispered [. "Never
let me hear it again."
Sylvia rose hurriedly. As. she stood
ut the window, trying to control her
beating pulses, Mr.. Castlet ON crossed
TO her side. Though paler than usual,
ne was again the calm, sci f-possessed
You sing and play rem; nE;ably well,
thank you for the pleasl Ire you have
given me-"
Pleasure mixed with pain? Sylvia so
Iancied. After lingering o. moment
longer, he abruptly quilted t ne room.
Mrs. Dalton waited until ,he echo of
his step died away, then colo ,ly said:
u may as we'll offer word of ex-
PLANTATION. Mark QUARREL, ID with the
lady he loved-or, rather, 81 ne with him.
1t amounts to the same thir %. She went
abroad, and is somewheI e i'm Europe
now. She and Mark used to sing that
song together"
How could she leave imYn Sylvia
talered, conscious of n, ague thrill of
pain.
Mrs. Dalton gave hers sharp glance.
r, lsaDel Grier Is q very proud woman.
Having taken a false ste p. believe she
would sooner die than make the first
Overtures toward RECON- ,iliation.n
II never believed IN that sort of
pride"
DID you not?n her ip taking scorn-
Iul curve, well, We are not all con-
stituCed alike"
To be Con .inued.l
lie was the attic nd ant of a railroad
lunch counter at q ST alton in Indiana.
The Othar dov nc 4, q .,oooor BALLAD Gov