The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-09-02

going to somewhat, doesn't it? Where
are you going?"
TO Paris, returned Priscilla al
most before he had got the words out
Of his mouth.
Her companion made a round hole of
his lips and raised his eyebrows quiz
zically. Then he asked nonchalantly,
"Alone?"
"Oh, no!'' returned Priscilla imme-
diately, with perhaps unconsciously re-
gretful emphasis on the emo. ooh,
no; there are Aunt Mildred and Mary
my little sister, you know" explana-
torily.
There was pause. The two COM
menced to pace to and fro rapidly.
paris, to me, /" began Priscilla, sis
what America was-to Dickens''
Gimp replied her companion in
muffled voice. "Why not Columbus?:''
81 prefer Dickens, protested Priscil-
la obstinately.
Dickens never discovered us" re-
turned her companion peryersely Gar
from it. Columbus discovered us. -
"Well, as you please" acquiesccd
Priscilla, unwilling longer to prolong
the ecstasy of the great moment which
was to come. "Now, why do you sup
pose am going to Paris? What do you
imagine am going to discover"
Can t imagine, answered her COM
panion. His gray eyes caught her dane
ing ones for moment, and he wonder
ed unjustly why those we'll groomed
girls with the little feet and the long
dashed eyes didn't live in Chicago as
much as in New York.
81 am going to Paris announced
Priscilla in what in man would have
been denominated stentorian tones, but
in Priscilla were only shrill and rich
with cheerful possibilities" am go
ing to Paris to sing in grand opera
"Oh!" said her companion shortly.
Then he added fippantly, in tone
charged with nlirth: "The lack Of now
city contained in the contemplated sit
uation may be the reason why it strikes
me as very old joke. Otherwise
might believe you were laughing at
me. " The tone was deeply ironical.
Laughing at youP' Priscilla shout
ed The wind was blowing very hard,
and she was obliged to approach her
companion closely to make herself
heard. Laughing at you'll It's you
who are laughing at me. Why?" The
slender figure was drawn up very
straight. The man began to remember
that, after all, girls eyes in Chicago,
and even in Philadelphia, We're softer
than these magnificent orbs which were
blazing at him SO defiantly.
He looked down at her sharply. Then
be drew long breath ''You don't
mean to say you are i'll earnest?" he
asked
Eyes" said Priscilla.
you are going to sing in grand
opera. You? In grand opera?''
eyes, I" said Priscilla.
Easiest thing in the world, isn't it,"
remarked her companion sarcastically.
"Just walk in and say to the manager,
Here am, old boy-voice, beauty,
family, misunderstanding card
The manager is only too glad of such
an opportunity. That's your idea, ism t
it?"
Priscilla's cheeks were bright car
mine.
COZ course" she began lamely, 81
know / will be obliged to work very
hard. But my voice is a natural voice,
perfectly natural voice. 1t requires
very little tuition. My teacher in New
York told me So Besides. it has an in
dividual timbre-quality, you know ;"
As her companion remained stolidly
unimpressed she stopped.
They had begun walking to and fro
again.
81 wonder" began the man, little
gruffiy, "if you will be very angry with
me if ask you question, if you will
think me impertinent?"
"No" returned Priscilla earnestly.
ono, indeed. | think, know already,
that you and will be very good friends,
by speaking the exact truth to one an
other. l hate lies, I" she added irrele-
vanity
Her companion did not appear to
have heard her.
"What is the question you wish to
ask me?" demanded Priscilla curiously
''Let's go and lean over the railing
there for moment" said the man
When they were comfortably en-
sconced, with wall of coiled rope
behind them, the green pillows ahead,
her companion spoke.
care you poor?" he asked gently
"Oh, no, said Priscilla
"Then why in the name of everything
beautiful do you wish to sing in grand
opera?"
"Well, said Priscilla comfortably,
"I'll tell you why You see, my friends
think it's such pity voice like mine
should be lost. It's SO sweet. You've no
idea how very sweet it is. love to lis
ten to it myself. You shall hear it some
day" She made this promise so naivcly
that her companion contemplated her
for one moment directly and then as di-
rectly desisted.
Women, said he, trife awkward
Lyle dislilked sickly sentimentality-
"women have been known to sing to
! fhai,. IaI,icc vo,,y c,1coaccf,,ll,y CT, e,,oo4