Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1896-04-06
THE RULING PASSION.

proper, indeed! it's perfectly refresh
ing to find such a bit Of downright
naturalness. Sing2 to be sure [ will,
you blessed little brownie, OF what
ever you may be-for human child
never saw like yonin my life. There,
just close that window, please, Stock
er; l need not beatty all the good
folks of your neighborhood with my
quaverings.
So the gay Madame Annina ran on,
as she threw back her mantle, and,
loosening her bonnet strings, prepared
to crafty the request OF the child,
which, with all her efforts, she had,
apparently, been unable to Withhold,
that the lady wonld sing"
III more subdued fashion, and with
less display OF her favorite trills and
roulades, the good-natured singer re-
peated the very air which had charm
ed thefancy OF the girl some weeks be-
fore st the theatre as
the greatest favor. Tom had
been permitted to escort her
under the care Of Mrs. Stocker.
Nelly, since the terrible shock of that
visitation of her husbands appari-
ton, never could be persuaded to al
low herself the indulgence; but she
yielded to the representations Of her
child's well-wisher. that it was hard
one should be deprived Of the few
amusements which were obtainable in
her monotonous life; and, though
against her own desire, permitted Ida
to accompany them.
10 y
seen it, the child's face while the song
was sung. Every sense seemed cen
tered in the faculty of listening; with
dilated eyes shegazed upon the lady.
her parted lips and heaving chest APP
peared to pant with the desire to
burst forth in imitation, and at those
passages, more especially, where she
had herself failed, she inwardly mark
ed the difference, and seemed longing
Tor the instant trial for Improvement.
Finally, as the close OF the melody
approached, she drew nearer, impel'cd
by some irresistible impulse, till her
hand lightly touched the dress of the
lady, as i by actual contact she might
hope togain some portion Of the di-
vine afHatus OF that talent which her
young soul was beginning to adore.
As the last long-drawnnotes ceased,
she took adeep breath, almost a sigh,
but she never thanked the lady who
nad SO singllarly obliged her, nor
made any demonstration Of her de-
light.
Mrs. Stocker FASTENED to supply the
omission
well, Idly, you should thank Ma
dame Annina-- I'm sure you've been
honored--and so fond of singing as
you are haven't you word to say?"
Let her be, my good Stocker, " said
madame, who indeed, was at that
moment enjoying a tribute to her
powers rs delightful us it was rare
She mad marked the rapt, devout
attention, The intensity Of admiring
wonder. that was almost worship,
klndlingln those most expressive feat
ures; she felt the thrilling touch Of the
tiny hand apon hers; saw that rs the
dark eyes were raised. in answer to
Mrs Suckers admonition, they
beamed with a new light which might
have lain latent IL those quiet depths,
but which had now awakened and
spoke more eloquently than any
words could have done-she saw and
could interpret all Alright.
'Let her be" she said again; ri
know, i-now, my fairy" as the girl
opened her lips 20 speak; "no thanks,
40 thanks! You love singing, don't
you? and SO do |. VIII you give me a
glass ofMaIcr, Stocker2 No, no. thank
you-nothing elsa glass OF water,
please! Will Ida get it lne?'' as the
willing little creature sprang to her
feet, and anticipated the woman in
hurrying with a jug from the room.
'"Th1t IS a remarkable child, she
continued; where did you pick her up,
Stocker?"
The latte: told ner briefly.
''She is worth looking AFTER" Mad
anne Amino. went OF. "You don't Oft
Ell meet with a child with such an ear,
let alone the voice. And did she string
these pearlsss'' lookingat the work up
on which Ida had been employed.
Eyes; and indeed, madame, that is
nothing towhat-she is the handiest lit
tie mite ever came across, said Ida's
employer. as she proceeded to exhibit
luIUllGE SDECilltCllo vi ilC1 OlIlcuil 10ool0o7
ants skill. foc Stocker was wholly free
of the awe which elsewhere ''hedged'
the presence o. the famous singer,
whose employ she had years ago
quilted to become Mrs. Stocker, with
whom she had been ever a favorite.
and to whose patronage she owed her
present employment.
Then committee of taste sat upon
certain points connected with some
costumes fol, characters, in which the
madame. was to appear, she being
particularin the slightest details relat-
ing to such matters-like a wise wom-
an, leaving not one to chance, and
keenly aware how much may depend
upon some so small as TO be too often
neglected.
at is all very WE'LL" she would say,
cit may not be noticed being there,
vet the want of it, though even not
recognized in itself, must affect the
whole. I grant it cannot make, yet it
may mar; and the mere fact OF feeling
that allis as it should Nbe, gives one
o-I 4ho oo,.+