River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-04-17

now I've come. l mean 70 enjoy every
moment and go everywhere. Father
gave me plenty of money, and told me
TO spend it freely, for this is my first
vacation of any sort.
Alice smiled slightly. She supposed
plenty of money" meant with Eliza
about ten dollars. The entrance of a
servant prevented her from making any
reply. The girl came to say that Miss
Belle Waite was in the parlor, and
wanted to see Miss Alice at once.
Alice excused herself to her cousin
and ran down stairs. Belle was impa-
tiently walking up and down the par
Tor. suppressed excitement pervading
her.
"Alice you would never guess what
has happened!' she cried. 1T is terri
BILE! Laura Moore has a sore throat, and
the doctor says she can't sing Wednes-
day night"
s'Oh, Belle!''
awful, isn't it? Maud Westerly is
almost wild. She has been driving
around all morning trying to find some
one TO take Laura's place. But there
are so few girls who could sing that
part. The only one l know besides
Laura who could do it is Ella Grayson,
and she is in Florida. came over to
see if you could suggest any one"
Il don't know of any one at all, said
Alice, after moments reflection
Il can't imagine what we are to do.
No changing of parts would fix it either.
Maud and went over that Oh, dear,
why don't girls learn to sing? 1t is too
provoking; and Maud has put all her
heart and soul into this thing, and it
promised to be such a success Every
seat has been sold, and now-oh, what
can we do?"
perhaps Maud will find some one by
the time rehearsal begins, said Alice,
who was in chorus, her voice not be-
ing sufficiently strong for any thing
higher. 1--WE must hope for the best. !"
Belle went away, and Alice hurried
into her msther's room to tell of the
catastrophe that threatened them.
Mrs. StOker was properly sympathetic
and anxious
The concert had been arranged by the
pupils of Mrs. Sayles' fashionable semi
nary for the benefit of a hospital for
poor children. and had been widely ad-
vertised. The principal feature was to
be a cantata, the parts being taken by
young ladies dressed to represent gyp-
sizes.
Laura Moore had been given the
principal part-that of the Gypsy Queen
for she possessed a remarkably fine
cOntralto voice. And now she would be
unable to appear,
Alice could scarcely realize the mis-
fortune which had overtaken them; but
she felt a certain pride in keeping the
matter quiet, and asked her mother to
say nothing of il to Eliza.
For know Maud will bring it out
all right some way" she said, land
Eliza need never know there was any
trouble"
''She will probably enjoy it more IL
she does not know of any change of
parts" said Mrs. Stoker, 80 will say
nothing"
II don't suppose she can tell one tune
from another" said Alice. ''She has
probably never heard any music except
that of a cOw-bell or a jew's-harp."
At luncheon Mrs. Stoker asked Alice
if she intended to take her cousin to the
rehearsal.
''Of course, if she cares to CO." said
Alice, trying to look pleasant; but /
hardly think she would enjoy it. 1t
would spoil the concert for her Wednes-
day night"
Eliza looked up quickly. Something
in the tone OF her cousins voice Jared
upon her, but she could not have told
what it was Yet she felt that for some
reason Alice dill not wish to have her go
to the rehearsal.
"Yes, had better wait until Wednes-
day night" she said, but if you are
willing. Alice, l will walk with you as
far as a dry-goods store. ! want to get
some handkerchiefs, and / can easily
ind my way back again alone"
Alice nodded, and went upstairs to
put on her wraps, feeling in any thing
but a pleasant mood. She had made
many good resolutions on Easter Sun
day, but the advent of Eliza had made
il impossible, so she assured herself, to
keep them. She had not expected such
a mountain in her path as Eliza had
proved.
Ii was really torture to her TO leave
the house with her cousin by her side,
so greatly did her pride suffer, for Eliza
wore bright green worsted dress, the
Anticipated sacque and the brown felt
hat with the red feather.
''HOw can bear two weeks of this?"
thought Alice.
And just then she saw Amy Howell
coming toward her.
Would you mind if / called you
Elsie?' she asked, turning to her cous-
in. Eliza is SO Old-fashiOned and
staid."
Il don't think | would know myself
by any other name" answered. Eliza,
laughing. but you can call me Elsie
if you LIKE don't mind. But If fail
to answer sometimes, you mustn't think
it odd -
Alice hoped Amy would pass by with
out speaking. She was very stylish
girl. and an intimate friend of Maud
Westerly. Therefore her good opinion
was of value.
But Amy stopped, and the introduce
ton had to be made, and Alice felt
rather than saw the keen glance the
fashionable-attired young lady gave at
the old sack and the red-feathered hat.
'YOu are on your way to rehearsal. of
course" said Amy. well, you won't
find Maud there. She's at the telegraph
Office, waiting for an answer to tele-
gram she sent off this morning to girl
in the country. II that girl can't come
and take the part of the Gypsy Queen,
we might as well give up the concert"
WHO is she?" asked Alice.
''Some one Maud met last summer
when she was out camping" answered
Amy. as she passed on.
lis there any trouble about your con-
cert?" asked Eliza.
Yes. Laura Moore has a sore throat,
and won't be able to sing; but we will
find some one else, of course" answered
Alice, as she pointed out a large dry
goods store on the opposite corner, and
then said goodbye.
She breathed more freely when she
was rid of her questionable cousin,
and no longer shrank from meeting any
one she knew.
When she reached the hall where the
rehearsal was to take place, she had al
most recovered her good humOr.
She was surrounded at once by
group of anxious girls, all talking at
oEce.
IF Maud doesn't get some one to-day,
We will have 20 give up the cantata,"
said Belle Waite: '.and won't the audi