Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-05-04
JENNIE aULE9ANgsS 3VVATERBgRY.
'SSG4s{Es $S
Copyright 1888, by J.B.liPPinco Co.

menced to pace to and fro rapidly.
paris, to me, " began Priscilla, sis
what America was-to Dickens"
"H'nr' replied her companion in
muffcd vote. "Why not Columbus"
Il prefer Dickens, protested Priscil
Ia obstinatoly.
Dickens never discovered u.s., re-
turned her companion perverscly. Far
from it, Columbus discovered us. 3"
well, as You please" acquiesced
Priscilla, unwilling longer to prolong
the ecstasy of the great moment which
was to come Nov, why do you sup
pose ! am going to Paris? What do you
imagine j am going to discover
Cant 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 III what in man would have
been denominated stentorian tones, but
in Priscilla were only shrill and rich
with cheerful possibilities--'I am GO
ing to Paris to sing in grand opera.
"Oh" said her companion shortly.
Then he added flippantly, in n tone
charged with mirth Tho 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 you'll" 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! 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 i'll Chicago
and even in Philadelphia, We're softer
than these magnificent orbs which were
blazing at him so detantly.
lie looked down at her sharply. Then
he drew long breath. You don't
mean to say you are in earnest" he
asked
YES, " said Priscilla.
lyon are going to sing in grand
opera. You? In grand opera?'
YES, " said Priscilla.
Easiest thing i'll the world, ism t it?'
remarked her companion sarcastically.
Just walk in and say to the manager
Here l am, old boy-voice, beauty,
family, Notwithstanding card.
The manager is only too glad of such
an opportunity That's your idea, isn't
it,
priscilla's checks were bright car
mine.
"Of course" she began lamcly, II
know l 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
unimprcsSed she stopped.
They had begun walking to and fro
again.
Il wonder" began the man, a little
grutily, "if You will he very angry with
me if ask you "a question, if you will
think me impcrtinent:"
mo, returned Priscilla earnestly.
"No, indeed think, | know already,
that you and | will be very good friends,
because, you see, we have both begun
by speaking the exact truth to ono an
other | hate lies, )" she added irrele-
vanity
Her companion did not appear to
have heard her
Nv hat is the question you wish to
ask me- demanded Priscilla curiOusly.
Lets 20 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
Are you poor" he asked gently.
"Oh, no, " SAID Priscilla
Then why i'll the name Of everything
beautiful do You wish to sing i'll grand
opera
well, " said Priscilla comfortably,
'Ill tell you why You see, my friends
think It's such pity a voice like mine
should be lost II so sweet You'v no
idea how very sweet it is, | love to lis
ten to it myself You shall hear il some
day. o." She made this promise so naively
that her companion contemplated her
for one moment directly and then as di-
rectly desistud.
Women, said he, a trifle awkward
ly-he disliked sickly sentimentality-
''womon have been known to sing to
their babies very successfully, so sweet
ly as to put them to sleep"
"Yes, answered Priscilla simply.
but, you see, have no babies.
There was pause
But the poor girls!' her companion
began, How about all the poor girls
who are endeavoring to obtain hear
ing; Don't you think it is rather selfish
of You to seek to crowd them out"
Priscillas rosy chin was lifted very
high indeed, "Ungenerous, she cried
supcrbly. "Why, poor or rich should
voice be denied Its opportunity to be
beard?"
THAT is not original" he remarked
rather daringly. Its too stilted from
you, Your friends have said that to
You, and you repeat it.
Perhaps, " admitted Priscilla.
81 am going to tell you story" the
other began.
"Oh, do. please" begged Priscilla,
"But before | begin | must tell you
my name" He drew from his coat
pocket "a neat russia leather case sur
mounted by modest monogram in sill
ypr lattnrc roplanob tba coSa buttono1