Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1886-12-09
. A CHOIR SINGEB
Who Trened Gut to Be @ gnanger-
Oss Man.

ton, as the best of reasons demon
strates; buto Marie Rirot, try as she
might could find only one side to the
question of her engagementoto Sydney
Worth; and that. unfortunately for the
lover, was the negative side. Sydney,
on his part, being a man was logical
enough to take in all the bearings of
the case, and yet heroic enough to await
Married. decision with a courage worthy
of u cause more sublime than the yea
or nay of brown-eyed girl. In this
trembling balance, however, was hung
his hope of all earthly happiness, while
he smoked his cigar and talked and
walked about the world as usual.
Take a week, only week, for calm
consideration, "'heohad begged herr and
then proceeded to enhance her calm
ness by daily letters of urgent pleading.
His eagernGss harassed and worried
Marie into a state almost of resent
ment and took from her much of the
responsibility 0of her final action. 1t
gave her something to fight against and
armed her with necessary tirmness.
Whereas, if he had thrown himself COM
p[etely and helplessly ON her mercy
SHO hOul't utNhC 1OuIlNl IL oOuOIN Hdlu W
wiring his heart by her decided refusal;
but she would have wrung it all the
same.
When her letter came ct last poor
Sydney kissed the dagger before he re-
ceiyed it's stab-that is, he kissed her
handwriting, and then very likely a
few moments later dropped tear or
two in the same spot. But the letter
was folded and put away, as suclf let
ters oand such poor, broken hopes are
being folded and put away all over the
world to-day and every day, and Sgd
ney went about his business astonished
and miserable ut the heavy weight of
his disappointment. Oils life staggered
under it but did not stop; and he
vaguely felt, through 0all his suffering,
that time would bring him again the
old firm step and lightsome strength,
but neN er the old gayety and freshness
of heart. Loves rose had grown fQ9s
him and burstinto bloom, and its petals
were Scattered-nO power could make
it again 4 perfect flower. All the rest
of the things in the world remained,
certainly, butO they seemed % have
very little use or value for him now,
and he wondered how the DAYS
and years could 60 on under the inn
petus of his lost hope and aspiration.
But the days and years did 90 on; Sydai
nev sat at his desk and made money
and Marie sang in her church and gave
music lessons, losing her youthful
beauty somewhat, but gaining always
in grace and attractiveness. She and
Sydney met occasionally as friends and
his eyes still told the same old story
that was now forbidden of all other
expression. AS for Miss Prot. she
met the usual experience that falls 90
the lot of talented and gracious woman.
She had hosts of male friends. quite an
array of admirers, and always one or
two ardent lovers who were much in
the sameocase as Sydney himself-for
it would seem even to the most inter-
ested observers that Miss Pirot's being.
musical and harmonious us it was. had
never yet responded to the master
chord of all-the chord of love!
But at last, when the keynote of
Marie's destiny was struck and its
flood of melody came pouring into her
life like an overwhelming tide, neither
the alto on one side of her nor tho8bass
on the other, nor even the organist.
Lucy Crumm, who was her bosom
friend. guessed that any thing had
happened.
1t came about in this very common
place way: Old Brande, the regular
tenor, was absent, for the first time in
seven years, from the Tuesday n: ght
rehearsal. The choir had assembled
and stood about, waiting and wonder
ing. and comforting upon Mr.. Brande
position apart from all othrr tenors on
record by their genuine surprise at his
delinquency, when there came sudden
" up the choir staircase tall and
slim Young man, very fair. with plenty
of flowing blonde air that hung in
student fashion on his broad white
collar. he spoke with a foreign ac-
cent in high musical voice. address
ing Miss Prot. who happened to be