Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-11-27


somewhat impetuous disposition, and
there were times when she longed to
be away from all the conventionalities
of life, and to revel in the freedom
of nature.
This Gay she walked far into the
woods, where everything was still and
peaceful The October sun shone on
the red and yellow leaves, and the
path was strewn with autumn's brill
liant Offering to the earth. She reach
ed brook, sat down upon a moss
covered stone, and began to hum softly.
But suddenly she stopped and lis
tened. Was she mistaken, for all was
silent again? No, she did hear some
one singing; and what voice!
Carol sat as if spellbound. She had
heard song after song that she herself
had sung at concerts in the school; but
how different they seemed to her now!
The voice was exQuisitely clear and
flexible, and it rose with rush III
feeling, till it seemed as if it must
break with its own burden Of sweet
ness. 1t was uncultivated, but Carol
knew it as the natural outpouring of
great soul, and she wondered what
stranger could be in those woods.
Then, as the song swelled louder
and nearer, she started to her feet.
The sound of her movement seemed to
reach the ear of the singer, for in the
middle of bar the voice was hushed.
Carol started forward, reaching turn
in the path, and stood face to face
with Felice Durande. They looked at
each other in startled surprise. Felica
was the first to recover her composure.
81 did not know that any one was
in the woods she said.
Then, blushing and looking down at
the bundle in her apron, she added;
~ was gathering some sticks for
winter fuel"
But Carol seemed not to understand
her; she was thinking only OF that
marvellous voice.
81 did not know that you could sing"
she said.
oh" laughed Felice, 81 always sing
at my work. Mamma used to sing,
and she taught me her little French
songs. But l forget; l was singing
your songs. I hope you do not mind,
but I thought them so beautiful that
remembered most of the words, and
could not help singing them"
Mind" cried Carol; why, am de-
lighted! You have a beautiful voice,
and ought to make something of it."
ooh! mol" Felice said, drawing back;
81 love it, but cannot sing"
"You can sing, and what's more,
you must promise to sing at our con-
cert
Then they had a long, confidential
talk, the result of which was that
Felice, though still doubtingly, con-
scented to sing, but it was agreed be-
tween them that it should all be kept
a profound secret.
Every Cly thereafter, when school
was out, Felice went to Carols house
On the hill, and rehearsed her songs
with the piano accompaniment played
by Carol.
The other girls, meanwhile, were de-
termined to find out, if possible, who
this singer was, of whom Carol had
spoken so mysteriously, and having
failed to get any information from her,
they sent their little brothers to the
railroad station on the day of the con-
cert to watch ard see whom Carol
would meet. But this last effort ended
in disappointment, and the mystery
was as deep as ever.
In Carols room that night, FeIice
made a picture that many an artist
might have been glad to paint Carol
had brought out dress of snowy
wilderness, soft and billOwy with laces
and ribbons, and when, after much in
sistance on her part, Felice had put it
on, she was the very embodiment of
grace and beauty.
Her dark hair was arranged very
simply, as she always wore it, and
waved softly back from her bright face.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement,
and delicate pink coior shone in her
usually pale cheeks.
Here! just this one red rose in your
hair," said Carol; and then they went
downstairs.
Carols father had been taken into
their confidence. and the three en-
tered the carriage and drove off.
In the hall there was all the excite
ment of eager expectation, and name
after name of musical celebrities had
been suggested as that of the unknown
singer. Carol and Felice entered by
rear door, and reached their dressing
room unobserved.
The first part of the entertainment
went off we'll enough, but everybody
was thinking. of the unknown singer,
and when Carols number on the pro-
gramme was reached, hush of expec-