The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1889-10-26
won BY STRATAGDM,
By NJ. A. MAKINs,

always regret am so stupid and cannot
sympathize with him-do sing" Anna
moved towards the piano and Mr.. Van
bruton followed her to open it.
| "Would you really like me to sing:"
she asked him softly, and glancing at
him with her deep, sleepy eyes.
"Indeed should; nothing should like
better" he readily replied, and bestow-
ing more interest upon her than he had
hitherto done. May get your music
for you?"
"lhave none; l sing without my notes. 8"
Inwardly blessing Providence that he
was not obliged to turn over any leaves,
which he generally failed in doing at the
right time, the young man leant indo-
lently against the piano and prepared to
endure a song
| (Which sort do you like" inquired
Anna; "a sad song or gay one: an old
| or a new"
ANY you like" he said absently. He
could Sec Alice's white dress, as she paced
the balcony slowly to and fro, and he
was wondering how soon ho would be
released and able to join her.
Quietly, and without effort, Miss Rog-
ers struck few cords and then began to
sing. She had chosen that song, "My
Love Is Come" and surely never before
had those passionate words been sung
with SO much passion. Vanished was
that hard, cold voice, and in its place a
rich, full contralto rang out into tho
evening air, which reached the passers-
| hxyo nd Il <o
envy such a glorious gift.
Who has the talent more to be desired,
the painter or the singer? think the
latter; because, although the actual evi-
dence of the formers gift lives long after
the master himself has passed away, and
is handed down from one generation to
another, the great singer can create such
wonderful pleasure at the moment, both
to himself and others. Ho can stir hearts
with a power no painter ever knows,
and call to life emotions which lie dor
mant before a painting, however beau
tiful
She ceased, the last notes died away,
and still touching tho keys gently with
one hand, she looked up at her compan-
ion. He was bending forward with a
look Of unmistakable admiration in his
gray eyes.
"Sing again; do sing again." was all
lie said, and she obeyed him. Song after
song he insisted on until Alice appeared
and declared that Anna would be tired.
Good night" she added to Mr.. Vanbru-
ton. "You must really go; am dread
fully sleepy" He shook hands with both
ladies, hut with Anna last, saying to her,
"You will sing e me again tomorrow,
won't you?"
How quickly time passes when we are
happy; SO quickly that we forget to en-
| joy the present moment 80 much as after
wards we think we ought to have done.
We plan pleasures for tho future, we
look back with a regretful sigh at the
past, but we never talie sufficient pleasure
in the present. We exclaim, II was
quite happy then" but do we ever say,
II am quite happy now?"
| Miss Rogers and Alice had passed
| fortnight Mt Lucerne, the weather had
becn perfect, they had had devoted
young man nearly always in attendance,
so surely they could say with truth that
the opposite sex? Imean no real friends
who could ever be of any service to her.
The world does not recognize any such
| thing as purely platonic friendship If
oiee Of us happens to take an interest,
] however slight, i'll man, or Is remarked
upon as seeming te enjoy his society, or
he ours, the world instantly exclaims,
with its usual disregard Of the charity
that thinketh no evil How shockingly
Mrs. A. or Miss B. is carrying on with
that Mr.. Dr. This same idiotic world
cannot imagine that man and woman,
having instincts in common, and a fine
sympathy one with the other, may be
most sincere friends without spark Of
sentiment. Oh, nc! If they find pleasure
in one another's society they must be
either one or the other, or both, madly
in love. 1t is mercy to think that in
the next world we are promised that
i .l:crs shall be no marriage or giving
| in marriage, 30 perhaps we may be
allowed to enjoy sensible friendships
Have l shocked you, Mr. Yanbiuton?
Perhaps my ideas are not strictly ortho-
dox, but blame my bringing up for
that"
81 think 1 agree with you in some re-
spects," he answered thoughtfully. "but
| think that there is certain amount Of
danger in these friendships. One is apt
to imagine or try to imagine it still only
mere friendship when that little spark OF
sentiment has kindled feeling that is
akin to, if not precisely, love itself; Ws
may hide it up and disguise it under its
friendly cloak to ourselves, but a
chance word or sudden emotion will
strip it bare and reveal to us, unfortunate
| ly too late, what it really is"
"No, nc, that is quite contrary to my
doctrine" said Anna half laughingly.
"My two examples of this friendship
have no infammable sentiment She
would sympathize with him most heart
| lily in his love affairs or any other affairs;
he would listen with equal interest to her
condolences, and so one would have
quite trust in the other; until the kind
remarks of this amiable world spoil what
would otherwise have been a firm friend
ship until the end of the chapter"
By this time they had reached the top
of the steps, and were standing at the
cathedral door.
~ don't think l could be that sort Of
| friend to you," he said softly and shyly.
"Why7 Do you think Alice will OBJ
ject?' Anna asked scornfully. "When
| YOU are married.
| Gamma, Anna, listen" lie interrupted
passionatelv; ~ must tell you. | have
been longing to tell you. do not care
what Alice will say. p
He stopped abruptly. 1t was no good
protesting to the air, and his companion
had suddenly drawn aside the curtain
at the entrance and had entered the
church; so he slowly retraced his steps
and went back towards the hotel. Mean
while Anna was kneeling before an altar
lit by few little candles, which gave q
glimmering, uncertain light, and only
intensified the darkness around. There
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