The Washington critic., 1886-05-22
THE SWEET VOICE,


brown farm house hung out their
CHEEKY signals behind the fringed cotton
curtains, and when the kitchen door
opened you could see the blazing logs,
the figures coming and going, like a
miniature magic-lantern.
1t was Dora Oxgato that opened It
and came fitting out to the well, with
a scarlet shawl over her head and an
empty pail In her hand. AS her light
feet pattered over the carpet Of autumn
leaves in the pathway she sang II snatch
of some good old fashioned hymn.
'My goodness alivel What's that"
For as the words trippcd from her
tongue tall, dark figure had risen
from the low bench under the apple
tree, whose boughs overhung the we'll
Don't be alarmed" said deep,
sweet contralto, with scornful intona-
ton in its sound cts only me,
Dora"
Joanna Elfeld2"
"Ycs, Joanna Elfield. What then
Have l fallen so low that am no
longer worthy to sit beneath the old
apple tree? If so, tell me SO at once,
and III quit"
"You know I didn't mean that, Jo.
anna"
"It's hard to tell what people mean
or don't mean nowadays said Joanna,
picking at the fringe Of her frayed rag
of a shawl. 81 was tired. wanted q
drink Of water. SO l came to the old
we'll"
joanna" said Dora, hcsitatingly,
''are you hungry %
Hungry No. There's sort of
craving, though. in my stomach which
is next to it, / suppose"
would you like something to eat ?"
81 don't beg"
"Wait minute, Joanna"
Like an arrow Dora Oxgate sped
back into the house, where her mother
was just setting the teapot on the table.
Fresh baked waflles steamed on one
side; hot biscuit was piled in drifts of
snow on the other. For Mrs. Deacon
Peabody and her daughter Comfort
were come to tea, and Mrs. Oxgate was
housekeeper to be eXcelled by none.
"Come, Dora, quick with that
water" said Mrs. Oxgate, "and shut
the door"
Mother" said Dora, speaking in q
slightly embarrassed tone, Joanna FL
field,is out by the well. She is cold
and hungry, and"
hrs. Oxgate's face hardened into
lines of stone. Miss Comfort Peabody
drew her skirts close around her, with
an involuntary movement, and Mrs.
Peabody looked hard into the bowl of
her tea cup.
"Then let her stay cold and hungry.
Joanna Elfield is no associate for either
you or me, Dora She ran away from
home and acted with common strolling
play actors-she has sung at low con-
certs. instead of keeping that fine voice
of hers for the temple of the Lord, and
people do say that she has taken to
drinking. And you expect me to open
my doors to such as her!"
but mamma" faltered Dora, half
"don't you remember that He came to
call, not the righteous, but sinners to
repentanceY
''How dare you quote the Scriptures
to mel" cried Mrs. OXgate. her brow
y clounding darlly. Bring in that pail
of water, and let us have no more dis
cussion."
Thus rebuffed, Theodore Oxgate
crept back again into the frosty twi
light, detected and empty handed.
"Ah," said Joanna Elield, 81
thought how 1t would be. Everybodys
doors are shut against me-"
'Is it true, Joanna?" whispered Dora,
coming close up to her.
us what true2"
THAT you drinkF'
"Of course it's true. You would
drink If you were driven as l am!
There are times when you could sell
your soul for chance to forget! And
that chance is only to be found in
drinkp
"Oh, Joanna, am so sorry for you"
"Sorry! Say that again, lass! Peo-
pie have mostly left off being sorry for
me"
'But listen, Joanna. Won't you try
to do different?"
II am lot so bad as folks think me,
except for the craving of drink.
have been nothing worse than wild and
wilful. Only when girl once gets on
the down hill, every man or woman
thinks 1t duty to give her another
pushp'
Then will you try to retrieve your
old self"
"IIow can l? What is there left for
me?"
Your superb voice, Joannal"
"You would have me sing myself
into responsibility, eh? And in the
meantime should starve."
You need not starve, Joanna.
Here"
Quick as lightning she drew small
gold chain, with gold lockct shaped
like heart dangling at the end, from
her neck.
Dear Joanna, take this. 1t is worth
money. Sell it, and use the money for
your needs.
Are you in earnest, Dora?"
''Of course am. IIushl Mother Is
calling me. must gov'
God bless you for this, said Joanna
huskily. And, Dora--one word
more; let me kiss you, just once"
BY way of answer Theodore OXgatc
threw her arms around the tall girls s
neck and pressed her soft red lips
close to the others cold mouth. And
as she did SO something FLASHED on her
cheek-a hot tear
The next minute Joanna Elield had
disappeared into the world Of shadows
that was lowering over all the autumn
landscape. And as she went she muir
INJURED to herself
Some one believes in me yeti It's
strange sensation, and yet-it gives
one something to live for, after allI'
"Dora Theodora Why don't you
answer? But no one thinks it worth
while to pay any attention to me now
adaysY 1t was Mrs. Oxgate' 's. shrill,
piping voice, as, helpless from paraly-
Sis, she sat In her cushioned chair by
the doorway.
"What is 1t mamma2" Dora asked.
coming to the door.