Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-06-13

expected; but he was not permitted to
profit by tho observation. A soft voice
beside him asked:
s.Do you sing. Mr.. Perchmont3"
Sophia flashed her glorious eyes into
his face. He had been huttering
moth-like around her, and now, look
ing down into those lustrous orbs he
saw In their divine depths shrine Of
devotion.
mo-" he replied. ''but know you
do"
"How do you know?"
Your face. your eyes show me that
the divine spirit of music must DO in
your heart"
Oh. callow youth!
:'Oh. you men are such flatterera I
didn't think it of you. Mr.. Perch
mont. Turn the pages. please"
He was only too glad to serve her;
would have tried impossibilities for
her. The first link of loves soft but
tenacious chain had been forged.
She sang waiting" heavenly, Dick
said. He thrilled with the delicious
hope that soon his footballs would be
music to her. He was. indeed, far
gone. Annie, too, sang waiting"
but not like that Sophia's voice
scared to musical pinnacle; Annie's
Dick scorned the comparison; yet at
this moment his mother was thinking
how sweetly simple and touching An
MES rendering was to this giddy per-
Torrance.
Taking leave. he truthfully said it
had been a delightful evening. 1t had
been dream; a fragment of Heaven
descended to earth, and Sophia was
the light thereof
James Emmert's gorgeous mansion
was a fit temple to enshrine the object
of Richard Perchmont's love, and
would that all worshipers were as con-
slant as he. His life was ecstacy.
With Sophia he threaded the tinsel
mazes of fashion-the Argus-eyed door
keeper, exclusiveness. who guards the
portals of society having benignly
passed him in. He had eaten the
lotus of social success; his former life.
his old friends. were forgotten; mother
and sister were neglected.; Annie was
Obscured.
A year flashed by. and the senior
partner announced the customary din
ner, which was similar to that given
by the retiring partner, except that. in
addition to the other members and
families. such employees as he chose to
invite, with their families, were pres
emit
It was an occasion after Richard
Perchmont's heart. Where else could
the humble employees be so duly i'm
pressed with his Importance? Tom
Wilgus needed such impressing more
than any, for he had SO far forgotten
himself several times as to call him
''Dick," and he determined to impart
q lesson.
He did not accompany his mother
and sister. Sophia had proclaimed
that she would not go without his
escort. What would the dinner be
without herr What is day without
sunshine? What is Hamlet without
Hamlet? He Obeyed. still thinking,
poor fool, that it was his own delight
full free will.
Whether the assembled employees
were properly awed by his imposing
entrance is not known. but certain it
is that a Joshua-like surprise caused
this society sun to stand still
stunned.
In a select little group--Sydney
Deaker smiling his interest; his kindly
little wife beaming her admiration;
Dicks mother and sister flushed with
worthy pride-sat Annie Jermyn tell
ing a story.
In sullen wonder he stood apart,
noting the good impression Annie was
making, and when the story ended in
burst of applause the party sep
arated. and old Sydney proudly led
Annie through the rooms on tour Of
Introduction. He instantly sought his
mother and asked:
''How did Annie get hereF'
She looked mild resentment at him,
and quietly replied:
"Mr. Wilgus brought her."
''Where is he?"
HE excused himself for time. /
believe he said he had work at the Of
fee"
That fellows too slow for our pur-
poses," Richard muttered, following
old Deaker and Annie with wonder
ing eyes; then turned at Sophia's
order. She said:
Come for a walk in the hall.
Where have you been so long? Ican't
endure this room! 1t is filed with
those low clerks. l hope when you
get to be a senior you'll stop these dis
gushing mixtures.