Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-02-10
Narrow Escape.

am ~! sald Iona Toss, with a pretty
frown.
IL am my dear-and I'm a blunt
woman. Why don't you get marriedP'
asked the old lady, surveying her
handsome niece critically through her
glasses.
Precisely what | am here for"
chirped the other. IL am going to
marry Edward Percy. | shall see him
tonight, and he must beware'--shak-
ing her head coquettishly."
But my dear grl. he is infatuated
with Clara D%unton."
''Jhen Clara Dunton must look out
laughed Iona, when looking at her
watch, she discovered it was time to
60 and dress.
When Miss Ross entered the draw
ingroom she created a thrill OF admira-
ton. She bowed coolly to Mr.. Percy
and smiled on the others.
Miss Dunton for a reader, lecturer,
and woman who advocated woman's
rights, was playing a remarkable weak
and unreliant role. She was just say
ing when Iona came in that she cot
SO tired of the battle Of fe some-
times; and after Miss Ross's little
breezy disturbance Mr.. Percy. who
was under the spell of the enchan-
tress and thought NJ IS Dunton about
as near perfection IL women general
ly are, leaned forward aud said in
oGi1a. sslA lac pnI t4,r1Vy Nnttr hurlan
on stronger shoulders, then?'
Alas | have but little faith in
any ones strength. with a soft little
gentleman's heart, as she meant it
should.
Let me teach you faith he said.
Aunt Mary aud Mrs. Br.dgewater
were IN deep conversation.
lie had almost forgotten Iona, until
he casually glanced in her direction,
and met the scornful gaze of her proud,
dark eyes, and a look of utter con
tempt on her face. whether for himself
or his companion he could not tell. He
made some trivial remark TO her.
She answered him calmly aud coldly.
and then ho said. do. Miss Dunton,
favor us with ONE music, CHANGING
toward the piano.
She Lesitated "a moment. colored
family, and then SAID. Not tonight,
thank you
"Mr. Percy was a gentleman, but in
some things very peculiar and straight
forward. rs in his questions that follow
ed Immediately:
You do play, don't you, Miss Dun
tonP"
Mrs. B~ridgewater was looking at her.
and so she dared not tell AN untruth,
and said:
mo. l ann sorry to say that ! never
had much desire TO learn"
Indeed! | think music a rare ac-
complishment."
There was Wis bic disappointment in
the gentleman's tone, but Aunt Mary,
coming TO the rescue. said, in her
quet way: Perhaps Iona will play
for for us"
'Oh, excuse me! l had forgotten
that Miss Rose played. Favor us.
please"
Mr.. Percy conducted her to the
piano, where Iona felt hat she should
reap her first benefit in his eyes.
He was passionately fond of mnsic.
and Mss Ross play ed and sang with
soul and sp rit.
You sing beautifully, Miss Ross"
he said. when she arose to leave the IN
strument.
Thank you.' she replied. quietly.
Edward Percy walked home in a
very thoughtful mood after he had
said good night.
%'Strange. | never noticed what a
prepossessing girl Iona Ross was be.
FORE" he thought 'She would GER
iainly grace any mans home. But she
wouldn't be fool enough to fall i'm love
with me; and, if she did, she wouldn't
graf fy nv self-love enough to let me
know it. However. ! began to like the
little girl"
A few evenings later our friends
met at aunt Mary's. Again Iona was
importuned 20 sing aud play. this time
Edward Percy's rich bass joining in
with her clear, sweet soprano.
After the music ceased he seemed so
absorbed in Iona's carclessly indc-
pendent savings that Miss Dunton
begged leave to read. She read Sc
l%ections well indeed; but she had prac-
tised for hours for this very occasion.
Then she entered into n discussion of
their merits with Mr.. Percy.
In q lull of the conversation. and
when the interest had somewhat flag
ged, Aunt Mary said: That reminds
me OF some poetry | would like you to
hear. / will find the pieces"
She returned at last with them. Miss
Dunton inwardly expecting that she
would he the one TO read them. But
Aunt Mary handed them to Iona, say
ing:
Here, Iona, give me your opinion on
these"
Iona commenced to read of once in a
voice that faltered a little. but gradual
ly grew strong. firm and full. com
pletely throwing Miss Dunton and her
accomplishment IN the shade, and yet
Mr.. Percy knew that Miss Ross was not
n public reader. She laid the paper
down, trembling Wis bly,. She had won