The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-22

courtr' said Kenneth, watching her cross
the hall, '.and that weeds can grow into
such sweet flowersl But won't make q
fool of myself
ssAnd now, Sally. sing to US, said Aunt
Hannah after dinner.
This was the supreme moment Sally had
looked forward to for years. She knew
she had q superb voice-knew exactly
what her powers we're. and felt IN full
possession of them When she sat down
to the piano q soft flush came to her cheeks
and light TO her eyes. She chose an old
Scotch BALLAD simple. tender thing that
needed perfect style and expression. Ken
meth started as her first notes fell on the
air. Hers was one of those thrilling deep
confraltos, soft as velvet, rich and rounded,
with the strange power 10 stir aud move
that the good contralto has. The spell OF
her voice fell upon him, tears came TO his
eyes: he moved forward to see her sweet
imprisoned face as she sang; he saw her
soul flashing in the sweet dcwy eyes. and
a great awe and love arose in his heart.
The song ended in deep, solemn chord,
like the echo of an amen.
Sally turned to Kenneth.
did you like it? have labored so hard
for your praise"
He did not speak at first, but when she
raised her eyes to his she saw there look
so eager so ardent and sweet, that she al
most wished she had not spoken. He
caught her hand in his.
Am I pleased? Oh, my dear. surely
You know it is too beautiful for praise of
mine'
Sally sang no more that night, but felt
she was rewarded. That song had changed
the world for Kenneth. Could a mans
heart be sung out of him in such fashion
Were the days of magic still with US, and
had this sweet witch of nineteen sum-
mers made him forget all prudence and
wisdom?
Next morning he was full of content,
bathed in the brightest mental sunshine;
JOY was in his heart, love ruled his life.
Sally was in the house. Sally was his
surely all his; had he not fought and con-
quered for herr He sang as he dressed,
breaking off to laugh at the contrast of his
rough baritone with Saily's velvet tones,
and it was not till he saw his aunts-the
very models of family propriety-tha he
realized the difficulties of his position.
But little sleep had come to Sally that
night. Love has divine insight, and when
their eyes met after her song she knew
that he loved her. But he should never
itself up to the sticking point and settled
that forever. The consciousness of his
love came on her as bitter-sweet surprise.
When, flushed with her song, she looked
into his eyes and saw love there radiant
and enthroned. her difficulties were at
one stroke doubled. When her own heart
was her only foe she had buckIed on her
now she had to face another foe, before
whom she felt powerless. Flight was her
only chance. At she rose and packed,
at she went to Aunt Hannah.
II am going away" she said. II ought
never to have come" Aunt Hannah's
II shall never come back; it is the only
way. thought / was strong, and was,
till he was weak"
Aunt Hannah took her in her arms,
kissed her, and said, II honor and respect
you, Sally. / saw it all last night. You
are good woman
"a grateful one, hope. After all your
and his kindness, can let him run any
risk ?"
but it is terrible for you, my child"
81 can bear my own grief. / have loved
him for so long, my heart has got used to
its ache: 1t is harder now, but still can
bear it,
At breakfast Aunt Hannah said Sally
had slept i'll and could eat no breakfast.
All Kenneth's Inquiries got nothing more
out of her than that.
At II Sally went quietly ont of the back
door, her eyes full of tears, her heart like
lead
At lunch Aunt Hannah said. "salIy has
gone, Kenneth-for your good as well as
her own. She has saved US terrible trou-
bic by acting so nobly."
Then Kenneth lost his head, but Aunt
Hannah presented front of iron.
sit was the right thing to do, and so
you will own in time. Be patient. My
heart is sore for you both; but you are
young. and life with its duties is before
you. At any rate, don't let girl of 10
beat you in self-sacrifice."
But Kenneth flung family pride to the
winds, and said, You may say what you
like; III marry her tomorrow if she'll
have me-"
After an hours hot debate he agreed to
wait month.