Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-02-03

a crowd Of children besides IIoula,"
~ believe it is rich old uncle who
sendsner," said another of the girls
papa lpows him, and he says he is
very. rich, but something ofaaaiser, and
IS queer as can be He must be fright
mily meanpr he would have given the
1girl an outht when he sent her here, and
mot let Der be disgrace to the school
with her shabby clothes. Papa saws
Mrs. Parks win not get a, cent of his
inoney WHEN he dies, for he has left ii
Nall 70 auild some kind Of queer place,
md b Is crazy old thing am Ger.
tain. But look girls you know the
lold saving Talk of the, etc. There
CONES Mrs Parks now to pay Loula a
/ visit ~
4 wv looked STABILITY dressed wo.
mao ~. "a pale, tired face, was CROSSE
ing the playground from the entrance
gate Loula arose aud went to meet
her, kissed her, and the two turned and
went towards the house Some of the
girls laughed, but Madge curled her lip
as she looked after the two shabby
figures, with the sunlight, as it aickered
through the branches, catching the girls
golden hair. The words of the professor
were wrangling in Madge's mind. She
was proud of her voice, about which she
had been constantly battered, and though
she and Loula Parks we're acknowledged
to have the finest voices in the school,
Madge had never for an instant supposed
that her own was inferior to Loula's,
and the professors words were great
blow to Der pride. "But she shan't
have the prize anyway" she thought
with thrill of triumph
A little latter she had occasion to 90
into the house and to her room. As she
passed Loula's room, the door of which
was ajar, she Involuntary paused rs
low, bitter sobs fell upon her ears
"Hush, my darling" Mrs. Parks was
saying, "you may win after all "
"No, no, it is impossible, mamma"
sobbed Loula, you can't understand
how { feel with those cold, scornful I'M
friendly eyes fixed upon me None of
the girls like me, you know | haven't
a single friend among them all, and it
takes away all confidence in myself 1t
is so different with Madge Wilmer they
all love her, and are ready to think the
best of everything she does. Oh nam
ma, how can | give up the hope Of my
life I feel that it is in me to be great
singer, and then could make money so
that you and papa would not be obliged
to struggle so hard DO you think,
mamma, that Uncle John will really do
as he says, if | fail to win the prize :"
IL know that he will, dear" the
mother answered, sadly "You see no
never changes his mind, and he hates
anything like failure Ile undertook to
send youto Paris to have your voice
cultivated on condition that you won the
prize for vocal music here; but ho will
not, | am sure, darling, do so il you
fail"
"And | shall fail" murmured the
girl, with n fresh burst of sobs.
Madge suddenly started as though she
had just awakened to the fact that she
was listening to what was not intended
for her ears, aud with crimson checks,
she stole away But, for the rest of the
day, bright, merry Madge was very
thoughtful and silent.
The exhibition day of Broughton
Academy arrived, and the big hall was
crowded with the parents and friends of
the pupils. Among them was Mrs
Parks, in her well worn black silk aud
shabby bonnet. and beside her was
little dried-up man, with shrewd twink
ling eyes, aud thin, determined lips.
Mrs. Parks was very pale aud very
nervous, and her anxious eyes wandered
first to her daughter and then to Madge
Wilmer. Such a contrast the former
80 pale aud scared looking, in her plain
white dress, with her long golden hair
all loose and flowing about her like
cloud and the latter her pretty face all
smiles aud happiness, clad in dainty,
lace trimmed, white robes, with broad
yellow sash and ribbons, and spray of
red roses twined in her dark curls.
Was it any wonder bitter sigh broke
from the mothers lips as she gazed
At length came the singing trial, and
the two girls, Madge, still smiling, and
Loula, white as death and trembling like
u leaf, assembled the platform.
Madge was the first 10 sing, and she
took her place by the grand piano. She
looked so bright and pretty as she stood
there, that murmur Of admiration went
through the audience The professor
bad decided that to give the girls an
equally fair chance, they should both
sing the same song, and the sweet Scotch
song Annie Laurie had been chosen
The opening bars we're played, and
Madge began TO sing, and at once every
body was staring and the girls looked at
encb other in horrifed amazemcnt. What
was the matter with the girly Never had
she sung so wretchedly; she was fairly
numbering the song. II was a relief 10
every one when the last note died away,
and very faint applause followed.
Mldge's checks we're dyed painful
crimson as she turned AWAY from the
piano, and her lips quivered, but she
forced smile, as she faced the audience,
and walked back to her place, with the
wondering, plying eyes of her school
mates fixed upon her.
In the meantime I.onla had risen aud
taken her place at the piano. She felt
rather dazed but her heart was beating
quickly, and she had forgotten her fright
ia the new hope that was thrilling her
Madge had failed she could win now
She listened to the opening chords with
out any nervousness whatever, and the
next moment her voice rang out clear,
sweet and strong, as no one ever heard
il before
When the last sweet, lingering note
died away, there was burst Of enthu-
Siastic applause, and there WINS no doubt
AZ to who had won the prize. The girls
all stared IN Amusement as Loula went
. / l.... lIa L.. I'LL a. ...o..a "a Ill.,