The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1901-01-18

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Clara. conscious that she played
well, for she was devoted to music.
and had been well taught, chose a
little sercnade of Schubcrts, with
which she was very familiar.
When she had finished it,, she
turned around on the piano stool. cx-
pecting some word Of pleasure and
approval.
But none came. Ada sat quietly
in a rucking-chair. her eyes fixed
mcditaiivcly "a the floor. her fingers
toying with the handle of her par
asol.
At length. when the silence was
becoming oppressive. .hc looked up,
and Il faint sigh escaped her lip.
81 wish You could hear Flora Day
mouth play that she laid. "She
plays it with 80 much expression. 1t
would bet perfect revelation ioyou.
II wish | could" answered Clara.
politely. but her face flushed, and 'hc
had to turn away her head to conceal
the tear, that sprang to her eyes.
Belle must ling for us.' laid gem
tie Nellie. anxious tu smooth matters
over. "Shc ha. a delightful voice.
"Oh. you're partial in your praise
said Belle. Al, she went To the piano.
Mis-. Ada may not like it at all"
She took up song which .hr knew
Nellie liked. and .ang 1t with unusual
power aud expression.
"Thcrc, What did tell you:'
cried Nellie. o.. the ,i-t note died
away. Want tina, linc:'
That used to be- cou.idcr,d q pref.
iy song admitted Ada, reluctantly.
but no one sings it now. ! heard IT
sung - much 10y the servants in the
hotel where mamma mud ! stayed last
winter that | learned to actually hate
IT,"
\ ha.ly rcIoindcr tr'mhl,d on
Belle. lips. hui she rcprc..cl 1t when
.hc Jaw Nellie look Of distress. and
relieved her feeling, 10y only closing
the piano with q bang.
Suppose We all go over TO my
house and play lawn tennis. ,aid
Nellie. There, lovely breeze. aud
We can have two on u side"
"No lawn lcnni, for me- .aid Ada
"lt j.. entirely too yigorou. an amu'c.
mcnt.'
Then will you play croqu,i;'
asked Clara.
"Croquctl Nobody play. ere quct
now. It.. all ont of fashion"
I'VE play it," laid Belle. Nv,
don't care for the fashion down hero
in the country"
NO. ! suppose not rojoiucd Ma
/ letting her lauguid gaze wander oyrr
Belle, plain, short Bingham dr,.,
dlN flnWl moe,
"M,ll. what can W do:" asked
Nellie, W. mu.tr't wa,tclhcwhol,
morning IN talk
You three can play croquct, and
will 1T ~ the porch and write
letter" aid Ada.
This met with the approval uf tn,
other three aud Clara l,fI the room
To find paper aud Iuk.
There wa, a small table on th'
porch, and a comfortable chair, am,
AdI settled herself down with au al
Of relief and drew toward her tn,
boS of paper Clara had brought.
Are You SURE yru have cycryihin.
YOU ncod;' a,kod Clara, politely.
81 think 80" answered Ada. a, n,
dipped her pen in tho ink.
But she had written only half
dozen word, when she pushed III.
paper away with an inpatient move
mont, and leaned back in har chair
Clara was halfway down the steps
eager to join l'cllc and Nellie at tn,
croquc' ground, but happening Il
glance around, she saw Ala's ap,itud,
and came back at once.
what i, the natter .he asked
lint that a good pcn;"
"lc-, the pen Is good enough va.
the languid reply,
Then pcrhap, the ink"
NO, it i,n't the ink. It's the pa
per. To hc perfectly frank with YOU
| never could write ON cheap paper
But you needn't mind. | have ION.
in my trunk that just suit, me, an,
my letter can wait. I'll walk duwi
with you to the croquct grounds, an,
look on while You play
Mortified and embarrassed, Clari
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