The Coconino weekly sun., 1894-10-11

Her composnre almost gave way, for close behind Annette she saw Jennie and Alicia looking at her with the same friendliness. Her lips quivered with sudden joy, for now her parents need not know how alone she had been, And so the little party left the dining-room, Annette walking with MT. Bebb, Alicia with Mrs. Bebb, and Jennie with Matilda.
 "Ain't that funny?" cried Lily Maud. But Rose Marie's answering giggle had melancholy sound. It was some- thing at the seminary to be seen walk ing with Annette, Alicia and Jennie. That was memorable week for four girls. Mir. Bebb every day gave his daughter and her three friends some delightful treat. It began to be whispered about that Mir. Bebb was rich. Was it mistake? No, it was not MT. Bebb was rich. Matilda was happy. Her blue eyes shone. Her healthy cheeks were rosier than ever. Once more she was the light-hearted girl who was glad to oblige every body who came in her way. And so, though she was sorely frightened at the thought of it, she consented to sing for the soprano on Easter Sunday, be- cause she was suddenly called away and had no one to take her place. On Sunday the four girls did not walk to church with the others. They rode with Mir. and Mrs. Bebb. The other girls were in their places in the north gal lery when Mir. Bebb's party entered the church. Matilda was not with them. Quietly, and with beating heart, she had slipped in at the rear entrance and up into the choir loft. And here Lily Maud's wandering eyes presently beheld her.
 Look" she whispered, nudging Rose Marie. "Ain't that funny?" Rose Marie looked, and bewildered ex- pression stole over her face. Things were taking such odd turns this week. As the choir rose all eyes were fixed on the new singer. Who was she, this happy-faced, wholesome-loolSing young creature who seemed attuned to Easter day? All fear had left her. She for got the audience before her. She stood as unconsciously as little child and, lifting up her heart to the heavens, her rich, sweet, fresh voice fioated out and filled the air. It was nothing so very difficult, but it was exceedingly well sung, as the audience felt, with thrill of delight.
 "She did not seem at all frightened" aft ha ina was over.
 "She sings in our choir at home," re- sponded Mir. Bebb.
 "To think, Jennie," said Alicia, "that we let such girl as Matilda go so long without recognition. 1 am ashamed of it. As long as live l think I shall be on the lookout for nice girls. But shall never be thankful enough that we made friends with her | before we knew of her money and her volce We never could have done it afterward." But there were plenty of | others who could, and did, and the re- maining weeks of the school year were made very pleasant for Matilda. She used to stand before erglass and laugh | SOLucLli1tSt ShC AOohCu " her own reflection. "The very same Matilda" she would say, "but not queer any more. Who could be queer with money and voice?" And then she would laugh again and look low ingly at the pictured faces of Annette and Jennie and Alicia. These were the friends who had come to her in that hour when she had most need of friends, who had taken her by the hand when they supposed her to be a poor, plain girl from acountry village, and with no future. And these were the friends whom she felt she should love as long as she lived, for Matilda Martha Bebb, along with her voice and her money, had grateful and af- ] factiona te heart -ChicapO TDtariOr d..