The Portland daily press., 1893-01-02
APOLLO in BRONZE.

Ninette Brown was a young lady Of
decidedly romantic tendencies.
She had been named Nancy, but as
she entered upon her sweet sixteenth
year she decided to call herself Nan
nette, and finally abbreviated it to Nj
nette.
Her mother called her Ninette when
she could remember to do SO, but her
father insisted upon plain Nancy.
Her father also favored George Smith,
a young farmer, as one of Ninette's
suitors. George was a tall, strong,
industrious fellow, with plenty of com
mon sense and not particle of romance
about him. Because of his lack of the
latter Ninette treated him in a way
which sometimes made his heartache.
81 shall never marry George Smith. I
look higher than farmer" she said to
her father one evening when he was ex-
tolling Georges good qualities.
ssThen I guess you will look higher
than you will ever be able to tilt your
little nose" replied her father angrily.
81 see what you are after. You have
read SO many o them trashy novels I
s'pose you expect to get one O them ERE
city chaps-an shirt buzzom an perfum-
cry! But I warn We now, Nancy, I'm
agin it from the fust! You'd better take
George, with his decent ways and good
arm"
Ninette did not think so. She began
to get discontinued and to wish she
could get away'from home. She want
ed to go to the city.
She confded this desire by letter to
Mrs. Elkins, who had once boarded for
the summer near them. Mrs. Elkins in
reply wrote: eve are going to a sea-
shore resort very soon. If you will go
with us and take charge of little Sadie
we may be able to find situation for
YOU after the summer season if you still
desire it.
Ninette at last gained her fathers
consent to go. He said he chad been
pestered long enough"
The journey was made. The Elkins
family were established in a suite at
"The Golden" situated on way down
coast of Maine.
Ninette would have been quite lonely
but for the company of Mary Duncan,
the young woman who was Mrs. Elkins'
maid.
Mary was romantic also, with a dash
of something worse about her, and
quite Mortified Ninette by relating some
of her escapades. Ninette was thor
oughly good, but silly.
"Mary," said Ninette one morning
when they were alone, II have not yet
seen my hero, but think have heard
him!'
".Why, how is that!"
"Well, last night I was sitting by
Miss Sadie while Mrs. Elkins was enjoy
ing herself at the dance, and heard a
piano in the next room, and oh, such
glorious singing! Idon't know what it
was, but it was grand! have heard
him once before, and Lam sure he must
be splendid to sing like that!''
Chow do you know but he is already
married." asked Mary, who was seldom
practical.
ri don't believe he is. I watched to
try and see who came from the room.
But you know Mrs. Elkins does not al
low us to keep our doors open, so don't
have very good chance
ssIf you hear him again just let me
know, will you? will come to listen if
I have time"
That night no melodious sounds issued
from the room, but on the following
evening the grand voice broke forth and
Ninette and Mary listened with breath
less attention.
81 just wish I knew who has that
ROOM" exclaimed Mary, "but I donS
dare ask anybody. 1t would cost me
my place if Mrs. Elkins knew that was
prying around anything or anybody
eve must watch all the time. I feel
sure he is my hero!' and foolish Ninette
thought of the unknown singer while
she basted Miss Sadie's ruffies. Day
after day passed, and Ninette fed her TO-
nance upon the snatches of song which
came from the room Of her hero.
One morning Ninette was passing
through the corridor. The door of her
hero's room opened and she saw form
pass out. She could not see his face,
but he was tall, admirably proportional
and carried himself gracefully. Ninette
caught her breath in suppressed admira-
ton.
"Oh, I've seen him! I've seen him"
she whispered excitedly to Mary.
"What does he look like?' asked Mary
curiously.
"Oh, / didn't see his face, but he is
very tall and dark. He is splendid! A
perfect Apollo!' and Ninette ran back
to her duties and to think about her
ssApollo," as she continued to call him.
Meanwhile George Smith was grow
ing heart hungry. He wanted to see
N;uo++o ua S,ddon1v dacide1 ssto on