The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-10-12

Her composure almost gave way, for
close behind Annette she saw Jennie
and Alicia looking at her with tho
same friendlincss. Her lips quiyercd
with sudden joy, for now her parents
need not know how alone she had
been, And so the little party left the
dining-room,A Annette walking with Mr..
Bebb. Alicia with Mrs. Bcbb. and
Jennie with Matilda.
"An't that funny?" cried Lily Maud.
But Rose Maries answering giggle
had "A melancholy sound. II was some-
thing at the seminary To be seen walk
ing with Annette, Alicia and Jennie.
That was memorable week for four
girls. Mr.. Bebb every day gave his
daughter and her three friends some
delightful treat 1t began 10 he
whispered about that Mr. Bebb was
rich. Was il mistake? No. il was
not Mr.. Bcbb was rich. Matilda was
happy. Her blue eyes shonc. Her
healthy checks were roster than ever.
Once more she was the light-hearted
girl who was glad To obligc every
body who came in her way. And SO,
though she was sorely frightened at
the thought Of il. she consented TO sing
for the soprano on Easter sunday be-
cause she was suddenly called away
and had no one 10 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
lcry 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, wholesomeloolsing young
creature who seemed attuned to Easter
day? All fear had left her She for
got the audience before her She
stood as unconscionsly as little child
and, lifting up her heart TO the
heavens. her rich, sweet, fresh voice
fioated out and filed the air. II 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, v
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. ! am
ashamed Of IT, As long as ] live
think shall be on the lookout FOR ice
girls. But | shall never be thank full
enough that we made friends with her
before we knew Of her money and her
voice We never could have done il
afterward." But there were plenty Of
Others who could, and did, and the re-
naming weeks of the school year we re
made very pleasant for Matilda. She
used to stand before her glass and laugh
sometimes, as she looked critically AT
her own reflection The very same
Matilda" she would say, but not
queer any more. Who could be queer
with money and . voicey 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 q
poor. plain girl from a country village,
and with no future. And these we're
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 "A grateful and at
fectiona te heart.-Chicago interior.