The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1894-10-13

Her composure 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 Mr..
Bebb, Alicia with Mrs Bebb. and
Jennie with Matilda.
"Ain't that funny?" cried Lily Maud.
But Rose Marie's answering giggle
had a melancholy sound. 1t was some-
thing at the seminary to be seen walk
ing with Annette, Alicia and Jennie.
That was a memorable week for four
girls. Mr.. Bebb every day gave his
daughter and her three friends some
delightful treat. 1t began to be
whispered about that Mr.. Bebb was
rich. Was it a mistake? No, it was
not. Mr.. Bebb was rich. Matilda was
happy. Her blue eyes shone. Her
healthy cheeks were roster 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
Mr.. and Mrs. Bebb. The other girls
were in their places in the north gal
lery when Mr.. Bebb's party entered
the church. Matilda was not with
them. Quietly, and with a 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 a bewildered ex-
preston 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-looking 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 a little child
and, lifting up her heart to the
heavens, her rich, sweet, fresh voice
foated out and filed the air. 1t was
nothing SO very difficult, but it was
exceedingly well sung, as the audience
felt, with a thrill of delight.
"She did not seem at all frightened"
commented Annette after the service
was over.
.'She sings in our choir at home" re
sponded Mr.. Bebb.
ITO think, Jennie" said Alicia,
''that we let such a girl as Matilda go
SO long without recognition. l am
ashamed of it. As long as ] live l
think l shall be on the lookout for nice
girls. But l shall never be thankful
enough that we made friends with her
before we knew of her money and her
voice. We never could have done it
afterward." But there were plenty of
others who could, and did, and the re-
naming weeks of the school year were
made very pleasant for Matilda. She
used to stand before herglass and laugh
sometimes, as she looked critically ut
her own reflection. THE very same
Matilda" she would say, but not
queer any more. Who could be queer
with money and a 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 country village.
and with no future. And these were
the friends whom she felt she should
as long as she lived. for Matilda
Martha Bebb, along with her voice
and her money. had a grateful and af'
f%ectionate heart.-Chicago Interior.