The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1893-12-20

should come tonightI7 and when her
mother tried 10 explain how unlikely II
was that the youth who for single hour
had been their guest should ever think
OF them again the girl only shook her
head and answered. He Will come"
The widow was growing uneasy, for
her daughter was I6 years old.
Suddenly. just as the priest turned
round 70 administer communion TO the
faithful, voice in the choir rose above
the organs strains, and Christine's face
was TRANSPORTED as she whispered, 1T
is hs!'
Oh. that beautiful voice-powerful,
inpa ssioned, yet as sweet as if 1t came
straight from heaven.
GLORY 70 God IN the highest and
peace on Garth" IL sang, and Christine,
carried ont Of herself as she listened,
wept softly and wondered whether II
were not indeed an angels voice. With
a saddened look in her soft blue eyes,
she followed her mother out Of the
church, casting wistful, tinIid glance
up the dark winding staircase which
led to the choir, and the widow, who
also had recognized the voice, hurried
her daughter away.
When they reached the street, the girl
looked about her in vain, for there was
no sign of the red cap and dark curls of
the young lutte player, no strange figure
was to be seen except a tall man wrapped
in a handsome cloak and wearing gold
embroidered cap which glistened in the
moonlight. When the two women ar
rived at their home, this person stepped
quickly up, and with bow said:
Merry Christmas to you, Dame Gu
dule. Merry Christmas, Miss Christine,
VIII you let the Florentine singer share
your supper once AGAIN.
81 knew he would come, lnother!"
cried Christine, and the widow, in spite
of her misgivings, almost against her
will. added:
He is welcome as before"
They all entered the house, and when
the girl had lighted the candles on the
supper table Maso Napone gazed round
the room eagerly. 1t was unchanged,
and he even recognized the old chest on
which he, the poor orphan minstrel, had
laid his cloak and lutte on that night
eight years before. When Maso took off
his cloak, Christine was astonished to see
| that the slender stripping had become a
| her with smiling admiration. Her SIM
| pie yet we'll fitting blue gown showed her
graceful figure to advantage. While she
| filled his cup Maso said to her, "One
might take you for an angel now"
Then he related how Master Krieg-
winckel had brought him up and taught
| him and been father to him. The old
| man was dead now, and Maso once more
| travelled about to earn his living by
singing. But he went as great artist,
not poor vagabond. Kings and princes
wrote asking him to come and sing to
them, just as the master had predicted.
| He was rich and honored, and yet he
was not happy, for he was alone.
Dame Gudule," he added after a
pause, ''you once gave me a mothers
| kiss-wiQ you now accept me as your
| son? VIII you let me ask Christine if
| she remembers her promise!"
81 remember" murmured the girl,
| while her mother smiled and nodded.
"You promised not to forget me, and
to love me all your life" he said, taking
her hand. Il have always thought of
you, and love you, Christine, my little
| Christmas rosei Sweetheart, will you
| be my wife?'
81 knew you would come back" was
| all her answer.
Then Maso put upon her finger gold
ring set with precious stones, and said
| gayly, as he kissed her lips:
"a queen gave me this ring, and !
kept it for you, my darling, that are
| more precious than all the queens on
earthr'-J. Colomb in Short Stories.