The Lamar register., 1893-08-12
A GIRLS RANSOM.

/
In large metropolis could have been
waited for with more breathless i'm
patience than was Edith Wayne by
the congregation assembled in the
old village church that bright Sep
tember morning. Her black cloth
sacoue fitted her trim little form to
nicely, and the iaunty hat curved
up behind, with the tall ribbon loops
and feather sprays, with bits of jet
dancing on their tips, surmounted a
head of lightish, fluffy brown hair,
and a fresh face of only twenty sum
mers and winters. Pagetown had re-
ceived a shock; and few things short
of an earthquake could have so
shaken up the little community as
the sudden determination of Squire
Page, for whose ancestor the town
had been named. to make a change
in the choir of the Congregational
church.
Matilda Prescott had been the head
soprano in the church for the past
fifteen years. with a salary of S15
year, which Squire Page paid out of
his own pocket, rs he did all of the
expenses connected with the sing
ing. Something in the nature OF an
electric shock passed through her,
therefore. when he called one morn
ing in the summer, and. asking TO
speak with her alone. tried to explain
in as few words as possible his rea-
sons for wishing to make change
in the choir arrangements 1t was
awkward business and he made an
awkward job of it
The fact is. Matilda. the world
moves, you know. and we've all got
to move along with IT. This young
lady has big voice, can tell you
"Who is she'" asked Matilda.
family.
..She's a Miss Wayne-her folks
live somewhere out West; she's
studying at the conservatory. Her
teacher says her voice is phenom-
email, and | believe he's right Ii
goes along up the scale. you know,
without any perceptible break. from
low A to Z in alt. two octayes and a
half, don't you seeg"
why don't they give her posi-
tion in the city If she can do so much9"
well. they will, by and by. but
she's young yet and hasn't had ex-
perience in church music I've made
up my mind to engage her for a. year.
and / suppose at the end of that time
they'll want her where they can pay
her more than we can" He did not
say that he had promised to give her
S400 That was a secret between the
young singer and himself
Having delivered his message the
squire left the house as soon as he
could. His departure was not de-
layed, as poor Matilda was so taken
aback by the news she had heard
that she had no words at hand with
which to make any fitting reply. She
lost no time, however, in going into
the kitchen. where her sister was at
the wash tub giving vigorous rubs to
the weeks washing.
Jane Prescott was 20 years the
senior of the two, and they had long
kept house together, in snug.
thrifty way. Jane was the manager
and the master spirit. and at 63
years OF age retained the vigor OF
body and mind she had possessed at so.
She had assumed the entire charge
of her sister after the death of their
parents, just thirty-one years ago
this summer; and Matilda seemed to
| her now almost as much child as
when she used to harness up the Old
white mare. and take her to the little
red brick schoolhouse. two miles
from their home.
Sister, said Matilda, in voice
broken by convulsivc sobs. I'm
turned out of the singing seats"
..What?r snapped out Jane. in a
tone that went stinging through the
room like rifle shot
YES; that's what Squire Page
came for Just now. He says the folks
want young voices in churches, and
he's got girl about 20. who's com
ing in 4 month or So
Two fierce, red spots appeared on
Jane Prescott's thin checks on hear
ing this concise statement. and her
pale. gray eyes looked out with a
menaclng glare. as she took of her
glasses and stood staring at her
sister"
.'Ion't look like that. .Janc. for good
ness sake; it isn't worth it. OF
course | feel badly ana shall for some
time; but I Suppose its all right
after all. You know ! am getting
old. comparatively speaking.
"Gettiug old. Matilda Prescott
You're young woman yet
No, forty tbcce can BE- calle
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