Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-12

She had never been very strong. phyisi-
caliy; and expos ure to the weather, and
insufficient food and clothing, commenced
to tell on her frame. She struggled
bravely against the inroads of sickness
but, at length, she had to yield and lie
PROSTATE.
1t wrung her heart to see the little boy
and girl. who were dependent on her eff
forts They did all that childish care and
skill were capable Of; but Thoughts of
hem increased her malady. for the terri
bic idea would flash over her that she
might die and leave them destitute
During her illness, Sydney asked Mabel
several times: Where Is your teacher?
She seems never to to come now"
Every time ne asked Mabel made the
| same reply-she was fortified In her re-
sove never to have Alice there again.
1t was IN the first flush of spring, when
Alice crept forth from her sick room. A
faint hint and whisper Of the coming
sweetness and bloom lurked in the air
Still weak and faint her strong resolve
bore her up, as she wendell her way along.
Besides the necessity there was for her to
gain their daily bread, she had to work
too, for the past, as her illness had brought
her into debt, but wished to fix on the
hour for future lessons.
At the first house to which she went, her
reception was discouraginr. The young
lady either was, or fancitd herself, too
deli"Hte to rosecute the study of singing.
1t give her sore throat, she sad; so she
had decided % stop her lessons. At the
next i'lace Alice was startled to observe
| that tie wbDle house was shut up, and
looked silent and gloomy as Il tomb. After
ringing repeatedly, a servant came forth
from the alley, and informed her that
scarlet fever had broken out in that street,
and that her mistress had gone away with
all the children, to stay, she did not know
how long. Alice had had four pupils in
this house, and she turned away with a
sickeuing feeling at heart. She had a
more cheering reception at the the next
house; and then she thought she would 90
to Mabel's, before her strength entirely
ebbed away.
1t was early twilight when she assembled
the steps; the first pale stars were just be-
ginning to CLEAN in the sky. After she
had waited for some time. servant came
to the door to inform her that she need not
come again, as Miss Ainslie had provided
herself with another teacher. Stung to
luc ucdIO Will UulS lIeSu UlOW, Al-CG
grew deadly pale, and turned away. But
just as the servant had commenced to de-
liver his message, a young man came up
the steps, and, as the poor little teacher
descended them, a kind gentle voice greet
ed her. 1t was Sydney, whose Indignation
had been aroused by the unfeeling message,
by Alice's pallor aud feebleness.
10 lo Ill
with her. ''You do not seem strong enough
to 60 alone"
Alice felt her strength ebbing away to
such a degree that she was thankful for
the support of his arm; and the support of
his presence was greater still. she could
nerve herself against Indifference and un-
kindness, but not against gentleness and
consideration. Her blended emotions,
Joined with her physical weakness, made
her burst into tears.
''Oh, Sir Russell Sydney, pray excuse
me, she sobbed out after a while; and do
not think strangely of my conduct.
have been very i'll, and am still weak,
which makes me act childish"
eff tears are relief to you | am very
glad for you to weep said he yelling his
concern and sympathy under a light,
cheerful tone.
Deeds, not Words" was the motto of
Sydney's life; so now he set so work to find
delicate and yet efficient, way Of help
ing Alice; and unknown to her this zeal
Gus friend was exerting himself for her,
while she was toiling on with her few
remaining pupils to gain bare subsis-
tence.
Sydney sought unremittingly for some
good employment; and by dint of keep
ing constantly on the alert he at length
discovered an admirable opening for her.
TheSSsoprano in fashionable choir became
fired with ambition to GO on the stage and
SO deserted the choir. Sydney succeeded
in procuring this vacant place for Alice,
and SO she walked up one morning and
found herself rich, as Byron found himself
famous.
And to crown her satisfaction. Sir Rus
sell Sydney attended the church in which
she was to sing. Never before had he
been so devout in his attendance there
never had the thought of heaven. eternity
and the angeles seemed so near and so
real as when this beautiful voice sang of
them.
When he came to know her better he
saw that her lovely harmonies were not
confined to outward embodiment, but that
there was music breathing in her true,
pure and womanly heart and so Mable
found that instead of choosing her he chose
for his wife the woman whom she had in
troduced to his notice as being Only the
Music Teacher"