Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-11-24
A CHOIR SINGER

There are two sides to every cues
tiou. as the best of reasons demon
strates; hut Marie Prot, try as she
might, could find only one side to the
question of her engagement to 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 vet heroic
enough to await Marie's decision with
Z courage worthy of a cause more
sublime than the yea or nay of brown
syed girl In this trembling balance,
however, was hung his hope of ali
earthly happiness, while he smoked his
cigar and talked and walked about the
world as usual.
Take week, only week, for calm
consideration, he had begged her,
and then proceeded to enhance her
calmneSs by daily letters of urgent
pleading. His eagerneSs harasSed and
worried Marie into state almost of
resentment and took from her much of
the responsible ity of her final action
Il gave her something to fight against
and armed her with necessary Grmness.
Whereas. if he had thrown himself
completely and helpleSsly on her mercy
she would have found 1t doubly hard 10
wiring his heart by her decided refusal;
but she would have wrung it all the
same.
When her letter came at last poor
Sydney kissed the dagger before he re-
ceived Its Stab-that Is, he kissed her
handwriting and then very likely few
moments later dropped tear or two in
the same spot. But the letter was
folded and put away, as such letters
and such poor, broken hopes are being
folded and put away all over the world
to-day and every day, and Sydney went
about his business astOnished and mis-
erable at the heavy weight of his dis
appointment. His life staggered under
il but did not stop; and he vaguely felt,
through all his suffering, that time
would bring him again the old firm
step and lighisome strength, but never
the old gayety and l1sshaeSS fSS GL 5, Healt an5
burst into bloom, and its petals were
scattered-no power could make 1t
again perfect flower. All the rest OF
tainly. but they seemed to have very
little use or value for him now, and he
wondered how the days and years could
90 on without the impetus of his lost
hope ami aspiration. But the days
and years did go on; Sydney 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 at
tractiyeness. She and Sydney met Oc-
casionally as friends, and his eyes still
told the same old story that was now
11rbidden of all other expression. AS
Cor Miss Pirot, she met the usual eX-
perience that falls to the lot Of talented
and gracious women. She had hosts
Of male friends, quite an array OF
admirers, and always one or two ardent
lovers who were much in the same case
as Sydney hlmself-for it would seem
even to the most interested observers
that Miss Pirot's being, musical and
harmonious as it it was. had never yet
responded TO the master-chord Of all
the chord of lovel
Bnt at last, when the keynote of
MaTie's destiny was struck and It,
food OF melody came pouring into her
life like an overwhelming tide, neither
the alto on one side of her noI the bass
on the other. nor even the organist,
Lucy Crumm, who was her bosom
friend, guessed that anything unusual
had happened.
It came about in this very common
place way; Old Brande, the regular
tenor. was absent for the first time III
seven years, from the Tuesday night
rehearsal. The choir had assembled
and stood about, waiting and wonder
ing, and conferring upon Mr.. BraHde
position apart from all other tenors on
record by their genuine surprise at his
delinquency, when there came suddenly
up the staircase tall and slim young
man, very fair, with plenty Of flowing
blonde hair that hung in student fashion
on his broad white collar. lie spoke
with foreign accent in high musicai
voice, addressing Miss Prot, who hap
pened to be nearest TO him as he
approached the organ;
'sMr. Brande has sent me to siDg-he
is too much Ill for this night, and also
for Sunday, he thinks. But If 1t
is pleasing [ sing his part for all. ;"
Miss Prot only bowed and smiled
but did not speak. There was great
peason for her silence. She had fallen
in love with this young man, OF whose
existence she had been aware three
seconds Ii is not to be wondered at
that, in the confusion of her senses, sue
had also, for the moment, mlsiaid her
voice.
80 very glad" said Lucy Crumm,
all animation, and reassured on the
score of the quartet; but so very
sorry to hear Mr.. Brande is ill. Moth.
ing serious, / hope? We were JUST
wondering how we should manage:
You read, suppose? Mr.. Aiken, VIII
you please hand-thanks. We intended
70 rehearse this quartet. All along
here is Mr.. Brande'S part-the tenor s.
the bass comes IN next below; out, OF
course, you understandr"
"Oh, yes-yesP'
He was already hummipg through
the bars Of the music she had placed IN
his hand. like one sure of his ground.
"MisS pirot"
Miss Prot started visibly, then
walked over quickly to her place Win
a heightened color. When had she
ever before needed a summons to dutyf
No one appeared to notice her emoar,
rassment, for ali eyes were now hxed
on the open books, and Miss Crumms
strong fingers were pressing the Keys
Ii was a wretched night; the ram 1eH
in torrents, a chilly wind was blowing;
the streets were wet and dismal. and
Marie Plrot was walking under an UNI