Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-27
welcome all the same"
Its Jane Martha, replied the girl step

welcome all the same
Its Jane Martha, replied the girl. step
| ping into the cool hall.
When she was seated py the kitchen
table, wherein Mrs. Hardy was rolling
pie-crust. she hesltated and blushed 4 good
deal before she really announced he errand
| When she had done so, however, she went
On easily enough, and laughed with the
good natured lady who listened to her
Mother finally told me | might" she
said, ''if you were entirely willing"
Just as willing as can be, was the
answer. There Ii be a great me at the
LAWYERS tonight. Very select, too Only
musical people going. | suppose Miss
Lawler thought you and Martha Jane dre
musical, and so you are.
When at quarter before eight that
evening Jane Martha timidly went up the
path leading to the great Lawler house.
she saw through the windows how bril-
| liantly the rooms looked, and how lovely
were the flowers in them. She was very
small but still very eager
| Miss Lawler herself, tall LADY in thin
! shlmmerlng silk, was coming through the
ball when the servant let in the twin. She
! smiled on the shrinking child, and Jane
Martha collected her wits.
The first thing the lady said was what
everybody said when Ma1tha or Jane was
| met alone: Nv hich is 1t? and when the
girl had told her, I'm sorry you could
not both come. III put you in a good
place where you can see and hear"
The German Herr, as she called him,
played. She had not known that a piano
could sound like that, but still she waited
for the singer. She knew that the girl in
WI 70 -lo baA hor e
carnatlOn plnks, must be the one.
Yes it was she; and at last she sang. u
was only in dreams that Jane had ever
heard such tones, but she had dreamed Of
them often, and now it had all come true.
The notes penetrated and thrilled James
heart until she could bear no more. She
lad unconsciously pressed her hands to her
bosom, and as the last high notes scared
and scared in pure sweetness. Jane, still
MOI knowing what she did, rose from her
seat and leaned forward.
Miss Dalrynple turned when her song
was done, saw the figure and met the vivid
glance of the eyes.
Hardly noticing the applause, she turned
to her hostess and said, That child can
sing!"
Miss Lawler looked at Jane, who was
now shrinking back.
Indeed she can. You shall hear her
She loves music so well, | think she will
not even be afraid to sing now
LET Inc ask her"
The next moment Jane Martha felt d
hand on her shoulder. She looked up
adoringly into Miss DalrympIe' face and
that lady felt that she had never given
more pleasure.
will you sing for me?" she asked.
"Now?' whispered Jane
presently. You shall stand close
by me and | will play for you. You
shall sing what you please. Are you will
ing?"
''Oh yes; for you'll answered the girl.
! So 1T happened that James fresh, I'M
sulied soprano voice, full of suggestions
Of power, was heard at Miss LAWYER S
musicale.
Miss Dairymple listened in admiration.
She rose from the piano and said, so that
everyone could hear, Il could not do near
y as well as that when | was the age of
this child. 1t would be shame if such a
talent should be lost
| Jane went back to her seat quite dazed
by what she had done and by what
Miss Dalrymple had said. No one noticed
her now, and she could listen undis-
|
! turbed
1t was not until nearly an hour later.
after cake and coffee and ices had been
handed among the guests, that Miss
| Dalrymple again remembered the girl.
| There she was in her corner. She
was eating an ice. The lady walked to-
wards her.
Il want you to sing once MORE" she
said; Il have plan in my mind. Per
haps | can give you a couple Of
hours week for the next few months.
shall live here with my friend until win
ter.
The girl clasped her hands and began to
t1embIe. She seemed bewiIdered
"What, you are not afraid this time are
you? 1t was really treat to hear you
before, or [ would not ask you when so
many are present.
Yes, am afraid, said the girl, but
slice you want me to try, must.
Miss Dalrymple was sorry for the child
when she had placed her by the piano
again. The small face was white and the
| lips almost stiff.
Take heart" whispered the lady.
You did so well before. What shall it
be?"
When at last the song was selected,
Miss Dalrymple looked at her companion
in surprise.
"Do you know in what key that Is writ
ten? ?" she asked.
| Yes
But can you sing as low as thatP''
"On, yes"
The other stood is amazement with the
sheet of music in her hand.
Il don't understand it, she said.
The girl gazed pleadingly at her, but
was silent.
In blind way the accompaniment was
begun; but when an untutored but rich con-
tralto voice commenced the song, there
was a discord among the keys of the
piano, and Miss Dalrymple wheeled
around and stared at the girl beside her,
who was trembling so that she could hard
ly stand.
There was entire silence among the peo-
pie present.
What does it mean?" cried Miss Dali
rymple, looking about her in wonder
ment. 1T cannot be possible that this
child has two distinct singing voices, one
very high and the other very low. She is
d phenomenon.
Judge Lawler, in the door way began to
chuckle audibIy. He had seen slight fig
ure steal out and soon return and now he
thought he understood
The girl at whom everybody was look
ing, tried twice 10 speak before she
could say word. Then she burst out
! shrilly.