Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1898-07-15

~ you! youth TO . oes",
~ ~" womanhood L
'trembled lest in the picture knew she
portrayed OF future perfect happiness
i I should BE- nsissing.
She was not beauty as the world
terms them. hut the kindly ismilea and
true character her face reflected were
more beautiful to me than perfect fea-
lures. Hut her voice: what q voice Il
was! A clear. rich mexxo, aided by
perfect execution born OF deep feeling
and power Of Interpretation. She held
. position In one Of the leading church
e. inlM--.,and there, I confess. was
wont ia, and the sermon more interest
Ing than at my home church.
One bright moonlight Sabbath. ~ We
strolled home from evening service, she
said:
"How we'll Mr.. Study sang tonight.
What beautiful voice he has, Ralph
Strange to say, had been thinking
. how we'll her voice and his blended;
before ! had answered she continued:
"He IL SO pleasant, too. We should
miss him more than any, Of the others
In the quartette II he should leave u.s."
"ies. Elsie, he Is a royal fellow. But
will you 20 with me on Tuesday to
hear Campanari? His voice is better"
Il am sorry. Ralph. but Mr.. Study
asked me to accompany him that even.
ing and ! consented"
''Well. he sings again on Thursday;
re can 80 them" aud 50 1t was decid-
ed.
The house was reached, and a. We
entered thought had never seen her
looking SO well. Her eyes were bright
and sparkling. and the cold. crisp air
brought a rich damask to her round
cheeks. Removing her outer garments
In the hall. she started forward toward
the center of the pnrlor. and rs she
did so ] stopped her. ana slipping my
arm about her. bent. and. ere she could
interpret my intention. I kissed her.
Tearing herself away. her face ablaze
she cried In a voice Of deep anger:
''Ralph Morelanl. how dare you-how
dare you insult meY'' while l. all the
holder because Of her anger. started
forward. and. possessing myself OF
both her hands. said:
ELSIE. angry with me. no"-as she
tried TO free herself -"you shall listen
--angry with one who loves you better
than his life, yes. better than all the
whole world besides. and whose one
ambition IL to make you his wife,"
With a low cry Of anguish she start
ed back. ! released her then.
20. Ralph" she said, II nevor
thought you would 10 this. l thought
we were TOO great friends" Two great
tears started and coursed down her
cheeks. now pale "a death.
''Elsie. my darling girl, don't you
love meT'
Glove your she reiterated: "love
you; when have not loved you: but
not Ike that. Ralph; not like that; l
could never I've your wife,"
| In vain ! pleaded. aud then a ,lisa.
greeable thought forced itself upou
! me. Framing it In words, l said soft.
":
Elsie. is there some one else?''
Trembling. she stood there In the
semi-darkness. could see how agi.
tated she was as l caught the faint
whisper: EYES,"
Then. indeed. hope died within me-
and she continued: Ralph. dear friend,
| forget this. Let us he as we ALWAYS
have been. true friends. Don't" she
| pleaded, "let this spoil our friendship
ut shall be rs you desire: but, Elsie
Is there no hope for me? What Of this
otherT'
poor Ralph, none. This other does
not even suspect that care for him
but, loving him Ms l do. 1t would be
wrong for me to consent to he your
wife. Please leave me now; you have
surprised me So"
And went-along with my grief
knowing and praying that God would
not let her wait long or In vain for hel
true love to he rewarded and returned
Two days passed and the play wa.
nearly over In the L. opera house
when suddenly the cry Of "flre" RAM
through tho auditorium, caught up ant
re-echOed BY the terror-stricken people
There in the hrst balcony were Pau
Study and Elsie Mordant. watched
them both as the people thronged the
narrow passageways. They had not
felt sure. seen me. and resolved t.
remain close at hand, and II necessary
aid them. He made her wait until the
! crowd were nearly out; then they start