The morning call., 1892-07-24


but il didn't so, and she always gave up in
veXation.
"'When Eugene comes back be will ac-
company you,' my mother used to say.
He. must play very we'll il he is to nc-
company me in this, she would answer,
turning over her music. or this-or this. /
can't play chem bit. and I've had lessons
at the Conservatoire.
But Eugene does play very weIl,' l said.
"'DoeS he? she would say doubtfully;
and l used to long for Eugene to come back
that she might see what a clever brother |
had, and that he might tell me what he
thought Of the beautiful girl / was trying to
win for my wife. An, monsieur, il could
only tell you how full my heart was then,
and vet so light!
80 at last it came to the day of Eugene's
return, ami [ went off afoot 10 meet him at
B0uilion. where he would leave the dill
gence. He had great deal To tell me, as
we walked up hill and down through the
beautiful woodland on our home ward way
Of Antwerp and the great festival; ol our
relations at Gembloux, and the improve
ments in farming on that rich soil; OF the
day he had spent at Brussels; and so on
from one thing to another; and as ne was a
much better talker than | was, | dida't in
terrupt him, until at last he began to speak
of certain beautiful soprano voice which
had taken the solos In one particular mass
be had heard in the cathedral at Antwerp.
" Oh. Jean BaptiSte, he cried, That mass
=
our church, IL only some one could sing
those Solosp
"'Perhaps we could have it. Eugene l
said. thinking of Marie.
He shook his he I'd.
My dear brother be replied 'if you
only knew! Wby,even if we had such a voice
al our command, how about the training? 1
know how the thing ought 10 sound, but
haven't the knowledge to teach, and the
voice Isn't to be found among these hills.
"'But, Eugene,' | said, remember you've
been away long enough TO find more IN the
village than you are familiar with. told
YOU in nv letter that NJ. BerSer's niece has
come TO live with him. Well, she has voice
Just such as you describe, and she has had les
sons al the Brussels C0nServat0ire, and If
you have heard anything more beautiful
than her singing in Antwerp. you must
have heard something equal to ehoirs Of
angels
80 Jean Bapiiste.' he cried, is it pOssi-
BILE? And do you think she would give her
voice and her time to the service of the
church for awhile? have dreamed of hear
ing it all once again, and we must persuade
NJ. ie Cure to let woman sing for once in
the church. And he went on, so pleased at
what be had learnt that he asked no more
about her, while a kind OF shyness came
over me, so that / could not tail him my
secret, as | had at first meant to do
over our supper that evening there were
a great many questions 10 be asked and an-
swered, and before nPdry all was said, in
walked The burgomaster and Marie
80 We ave come to see the traveller said
BersieT, and the child viii like 10 hear
news Of the world she is cut off from
II watched Eugene as he looked at Marie
Darcy FIR the first time. 1t meant much to
me that my brother should approve of the
girl ! had set my heart on.
You, monsieur, who know Eugene now
in his old age. can scarcely imagine how
eloquent his face was 30 years ago. l saw
that her beauty charmed his eye, but that
the chief thought in his mind in connection
with her was her voice, and that he was
longing TO get so far in his acquaintance
with hersas TO be able TO broach the great
subject. Blu: as soon as be began 10 relate
his eXueTience 1T Antwerp TO the hurgo-
master, dwelling on the glorious music be
had heard. Marie herself made the sHbjecL
easy for him.
1 know the mass You mean she said.
i have studied It, Nine. LOuvet | have
tried To SIM YOU some of it. only, you know,
| couldn't play as we'll as sing md every
time ] failed. III. Eugene. they used to tell
me you would accompany me when you
came back
Then every one laughed to see the ami
nation with which Eugene sprang up and
went TO his harmOnium.
Shall fetch the notes?' said Marie
I've been longing TO sing-oulY are YOU
sure you can play it?'
- III ty.' SAID Eugene. modestly.
What lad 1t Is for music! cr ed my
father: After his long Journey. too; but
jean Baptiste, yon might 90 and carry the
book
"1 will come with you and carry the
Don't trouble. JEAN" said Eugene,
just as if it was he who had known Marie
for weeks and | who was the stranger.
"As | said, we had all thought Marie's
voice wonderful from the first; but it was
"a | u-ieb
paniment that | realized how perfect her
singing was. As the last note died away
Eugene turned round ana looked up at her
in silence. Her face was turned so that |
could not see II, but what | read on his
gave me the key 10 that strange fear which
the first mention OF MaVie's history bad
brought me. Il might have guessed said
10 myself, that he would love her, too. and
what girl would listen 10 my wooing when
Eugene Is there to charm away her heart?
i got up, made an excuse about the cat
lie, aod went out | was very thankful
that had not spoken of my feelings for her
on our homewArd walk. lie would have
loved her all the same and she would
have loved him in return. but per-
haps he would have feared 10 win
her and do me wrong; now he sh uid have
his fair chance. La all the bitterness OF
that moment L had fierce joy in feeling
that could make this sacrifice willingly
for my brOther-yeS, and for her.
Il thought when next he and We're alone
together that we would talk a great deal of
Marie. OF her singing certainly he did, ana
OF her kindness in entering into his project
for great festival mass in our church, but
OF his personal impressions he said no word
lie was waiting PERHAPS for me 10 begin.
but that was, as you might say, the last
straw which could not bear to add 10 my
burden.
after that l left eff going to Bersier's,
and when Marie came to my mother made
o excuses to be with her. She came very
often, toe, Tor every day she sang with Eu-
gene, and every day l could see he was
more enchanted with her. Once my father
laughed at NE when We were alone to-
gether.
So All. mon fls.' he said, shaking his head.
you're a sad fellow. thought you were
booked this time. butt fear you're a bit OF
firt l hope Eugene isn't going to follow
your example. Yon see the girl has had
one disagreeable affair-it's marvelau, 10
see how well she has got over it: but |
wouldn't like to see her put In a false posi-
ton again By any one belon ging to me-
haven't put her in any false position
said felt so unhappy that he thought
was angry. L said nothing to her.
Well, You needn't blaze up, lad. As 70
what you said, that may have been cautious
enough; only l and your mother and the
burgOmaster went by what you did How
ever, I'll say no more ! suppose you're
too hardened bachelor to change your
ways
81 I dare say am. rejoined.
Besides he ADDED, consolingly. it's as
well you weren't in earnest for it strikes
me the wind of her favor sits in another
quarter
That was what every one was beginning
10 say, and as watched them 1 felt sure of