The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1889-08-18


She had imagined him from Mrs. Patter-
sons vague reply to her question con.
corning his age. Well, so much the bet
ter; the conquest would not be SO diff
cult.
"Alice is certainly pretty, and am
plain; she has the advantage of me in
that respect" she thought as she fol-
lowed the two upstairs to their private
sitting room. But still, she is almost a
school miss, with not much ideas be-
/ yond a mild Irritation, while ! am a
woman who knows something of life:
we shall see who has the stronger will"
The sitting room windows opened on
to a balcony overlooking the lake, and
exclaiming at the beauty OF the night,
Alice stepped out.
Il was very beautiful. The moon had
just risen, and the lake, touched by its
cold, soft rays, had become radiant and
glorified.
A little boat was setting off from the
shore, laden with two happy, laughing
Inortals; they shot out into the broad
belt of moonlight, and then disappeared
into the darkness beyond.
Who, gazing upon SO calm scene as
this, could ever imagine such thing as
storm? And yet perhaps in half an hour
those wonderful mountains may be hid
den, that deep blue sky, studded with
millions of heavenly lamps, be overcast
and black with threatening clouds, and
that gentle breeze transformed into a
moaning wind lashing the ripples into
waves.
Where will be that little boat? Wreck
ed, wrecked and drifting away, leaving
the lovers, hand clasped in hand, peace
fully lying many feet below in the dark,
treacherous water, quite safe now from
tho cruel storm.
Miss Patterson did not invite the young
man to follow her, and he stood uncer-
tainly by the window, looking after her
longingly, but feeling that it might be as
well to be polite to the companion.
"Will you play or sing somethingY'
said Alice, looking in at the window.
''Mr. Vanbruton is devoted to music.
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 singY
she asked him softly, and gIancing at
him with her deep, sleepy eyes.
''Indeed l should; nothing should like
better" he readily replied, and bestow-
ing more interest upon her than he had
hitherto done. "May get your music
Tor your
sIhave none; ] sing without my notes"
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 new?"
ssAny you like" he said absently. He
could see Alice's white dress, as she paced
the balcony slowly to and fro, and be
was wondering how soon he 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 contraito rang out into the
evening air, which reached the passers-
by and made them pause to listen and to
envy such glorious gift.
Who has the talent more to be desired,
the painter or the singer? l 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. He can stir hearts
with a power no painter ever knows,
and call to life emotions which lie DOR
mant before painting, however beau
tiful.
She ceased, the last notes died away,
and still touching the keys gently with
one hand, she looked up at her compan-
ion. He was bending forward with q
look of unmistakable admiration in his
gray eyes.
s'Sing again; do sing again" was all
ll0 sitis stilu biiC OOcy GU AtlAii. kcOAl tAioSi
song he insisted on until Alice appeared
and declared that Anna would be tired.
ssGood night" she added to Mr.. Vanbru-
ton. 'tYou must really go; am dread
fully sleepy" He shook hands with both
ladies', but with Anna last, saying to her,
"You will sing to me again tomorrow,
won't your"
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 the future, we
look back with regretful sigh at the
| past, but wenever take sufficient pleasure
in the present We exclaiin, 81 was
quite happy then, !" but do we ever say,
81 am quite happy now?"
Miss Rogers and Alice had passed a
fortnight at Lucerne, the weather had
been perfect, they had had a devoted
young man nearly always in attendance,
so surely they could say with truth that
they were having an exceptionally good
time. Two out of the trio certainly
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