Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-04-18
A CHOIR SINGER.

There are two sides to every question,
as the best of reason demonstrates; but
Marie PirCt, 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.
sydney. on his part, being a man.
was logical enough 10 take in all the
bearings of the case, and yet heroic
enough to await Marie's decision with
a courage worthy Of a cause more sub
lime 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 a week, for calm
consideration, " he had begged her, and
then proceeded TO enhance her calm
ness by daily letters of urgent pleading.
His eageruesS harasSed and worried
Marie into a state almost of resent
ment, and took from her much Of the
responsibility OF her final action. 1t
gave herisomething to fight sgainst, and
armed her with necessary 0rmneSs.
Whereas, if he had thrown himself
completely and helplessly on her mercy,
she would have found 1t dOubly hard to
wiring his heart by her decided refusal;
but she would have wrung 1t, all the
same.
When her letter came at last, poor
Sydney kissed the dagger before he re-
ceived its s.ab-that IS, he kissed her
Handwriting, and then very likely a
few moments later dropped a tear or
two IN the same spot. But the letter
WAS folded and put away, as such let
ters and such poor and broken hopes
are being folded and put away all over
the world to-day and every day, and
Sydney went abodt his business aston
Ished and miserable at the heavy
weight of his disappointment.
But the days and years went on;
sydney sat at his desk and made money,
and Marie sang in her church and gave
music les ons, 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 Pirot, she met
the usual experience 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 himself-for
it would seem even to the most inter-
ested ob 'erver that Mss Plrot's being,
musical and harmonious as IL was, had
never yet responded to the master
chord of all-the chord of Lowell
But at last, when the keynote of
MaIie's destiny was struck. and Its
food of melody came pouring into her
life like an overwhelming tide, neither
the alto on one side OF her, nor the bass
on the other, nor even the organist.
Lucy Crumm, who was her bosom
friend, guessed that anything unusual
had happened.
Ttscame about in this very common
place way. Old Brande, the regular
tenor, Was absent, for the hrst time IN
seven ye2Ss, for the Tuesday night re-
hearsal. The choir had assembled, and
stood about, waiting and wondering,
and comforting on Mr.. Brande's posi-
ton apart from all other teuors on
record by the genuine surprise at his
delinque=cy, when there came suddenly
up The choir staircase a tall and slim
Young nan, very fair, with plenty of
flowing blonde hair that hung in stu
dent fashion on his broad white collar.
He spoke with 3 foreign accent, in
high musical voice, addressing Miss
Pirot, who happensd to be nearest to
him, as he approached the organ.
"Mr. Brandt has sent me 10 sing
he is too much i'll for this night, and
also for Sunday, be thinks. But II 1t
Is pleasing, l sing his part for al. "
Miss Prot only bowed and smued,
but did not speak. There was good
reason for her silence. She had fallen
in love with this young man, OF whose
existence she had been aware three
secondsl 1t Is not 10 be wondered at
that, in the confusion OF her senses,
she had, for the moment, mislaid her
voice.
$50 very glad" said Lucy Crumm,
all animation, and reassured on the
score OF the quartette; but SO very
sorry to bear Mr.. Brande 70 Ill. Moth
ing serious, l hope2 We were just
wondering how we should manage.
You read, suppose? Mr.. Aiken, will
you please hand-thanks. We in
tended to rehearse the quartette. All
along here is Mr.. Brande's part-the
tenor's; the bass comes in next below
but. or course, you understand?"
"Oh, yes-yes."
He was already humming through
the barg of the music she had placed
in his hand, like one sure of his ground.
''Mlss Piroti''
Miss PIrot started visably, then
walked over quickly TO her place, with
a heightened color. When had she
ever before needed a summons to dutyp
No one appeared to notice her embar-
rassment. for all eyes were now fixed
on the open hook, and Miss Crumm's
strong fingers were pressing the keys.
sOf course shall be glad when dear
old Brande is well enough to come
back again, but shall awfully hate to
Lose What's-his-name?" Miss Crumm