The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-11-30

try now. that being the nearest way
ont. when, without any particular Sc
quence. Mrs. Ainslee's thoughts re-
verted to the postman and the letter
she had seen him trying to find place
for more than week before. Like
lightning her thoughts pursued each
other. Was that letter necessarily
from Eunice? Might it not have been
from-somebody else? Wasn't it just
possible it had not been found?
"Eunice, bring Mrs Ainslee out this
way" called the mother from the
kitchen; 1.-The front walk is muddy
from the rain"
But Mrs Ainslee's eyes were fixed
upon the braided rug that must be
pushed aside before the door could be
opened.
mo. shall go out this way. now
that I'm here" she said.
Eunice swept the rug aside with her
foot, and keen sense of disappoint-
ment took possession of the departing
guest: there was nothing but the bare
oilcloth where the rug had been.
What was that? Was it line of
white projecting beyond the edge, or
bit of sunshine stealing through the
keyhole? She put down trembling
hand to make sure, and picked up a
square white envelop, addressed to
Miss Eunice Evans" She recognized
the dainty, flowing handwriting at
glance, and handed the missive to the
girl with a smile of great complacency.
I'm so glad | came out this way,
Eunice," said she.
Eunice read aloud the note, which
was kind and informal, and her face
was pleasing study as she did SO.
The color came back into her cheeks
and the smile into her eyes in a way
that was good to see.
"'Come over right away, it says;
and that letter was written most ten
days ago" cried Mrs. Evans. NO
wonder she acted cool to me. Iou go
right over now, Eunice, and tell her
just how it was
Mrs. Gildersleeve. who had been al
most as deeply piqued at what she con-
sidered Eunice's Indifference as Eunice
had been hurt by the ladys apparent
neglect. received her very cordially,
upon hearing how matters stood.
We'll, all is not yet lost" said she,
gayly; but you must telegraph to
your patient. and then put in some
solid hours work with me between
now and Thursday night. I'm SO glad
you've been able to practice"
Mrs. Gildersleeve was herself a thor
ough musician, and in the two follow
ing days her searching criticism and
helpful suggestions prepared Eunice to
do her best As the momentous hour
approached Mrs. Gildersleeve's anxiety
about the result was almost as great
as Eunices.
My only fear is of stage fright,
the lady confided to some of her guests
when Eunice's name was next on the
programme. Il haven't a doubt re-
garding the girls ability; but she has
never appeared in public before. and
she is the very opposite of bold
The silence was profound when a
pretty, girlish figure, simply gowned
in a creamy white serge, made her way
to the center of the little stage. Her
face was as white as her dress. when,
bowling. she opened her lips to sing,
closed them again for ten long, breath
less seconds, while the color slowly
returned to her cheeks; then, with
mighty effort, Eunice broke the
spell that held her silent, and filled
the house with a burst of bird-lille
music. Clear as a bell, the sweet
young voice rose higher and higher,
Il
everybody else, that her protege was
a success
Milton Park was more than delighted
that the great man had found a prod
igy las he said he had) within its
boundaries, and was for sending her
to Europe to study forthwith. But
the New England girls independent
spirit would not consent to this.
iii not go to Europe till can pay
my way" she declared; and Mrs. Gil
dersleeve, for one, approved of her de-
cision.
That good lady did not remain pas
sive in the matter, however Being
well known in musical circles through
out the state, she lost no opportunity
| of introducing her favor1te whenever
an effective soloist was wanted; and so
it came about that Eunice's remark
able talent was soon spoken of every
where: connoisseurs exclaimed de-
lightedly when they found her name
upon their programmes, and, within a
year from the date of her first appear
ance, she found her time well and
proftably filled.
BY the time she is twenty she hopes
to have saved enough to carry her
through finishing course in Europe
with one of the great masters of his
art. and then" says Mrs. Glider
sleeve, with an admiring glance at her
protege. I'VE shall see what we shall
sss"'-N. y. Independent.