Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1901-01-12

"Cadge"-Heien's beauty had so bios
somed that at fresh sight OF her they
struggled with incredulous amaze
ment almost as a stranger might have
done.
Talking rapidly TO mask embarrsss-
ment. they Joined us round the FIRE.
Reid dropped a slorch hat and an over
coat that seemed all pockets bulging
with papers. while Miss Bryant and
Kitty began a rapid fire of talk about
"copy," "cuts.' 1.-The black" ''the
color" and other mysteries.
wish you could have got me a proof
of the animal page" said Kitty. finally;
''if they hurry the etching again, be- I,
fore my poor dear little bears have
been half an hour on the presses. ]
they'll fiji with ink and print gray. I'll :
III leave money in my will 70 PROSE /
cute photographers"
"Oh don't fret said Miss Bryant. !
"Magazine'll look well this week. Big
, Toms the greatest Sunday editor that
ever happened; and I've got in some
! good stuff. too"
"Of course your obligato'l be all
| right" Kitty sighed; "but-oh. those
etchers and Yes. Big Tom'l do:
never see him fretting the art depart
mrnt. like the editor before last. 10
sketch one-column earthquake curd-
ling cup of cream"
How could anybody 90 that?" cried
Helen.
Just what the artist said"
Miss Bryant looked slightly older
than Helen; in spite Of her brusque.
careless sentences, suspected that she
was a girl of some knowledge. vast en-
ergy and strength OF will. And sus-
picion grew 10 certainty that she and
Reid were lovers.
might have read il in his tone when
in the course of the evening he asked
her TO sing.
"Then give me baton" she re-
sponded. springing TO her feet.
Rolling up a newspaper and Selling
bit OF charcoal from the drawing
: table. she beat time with both hands
= launching suddenly into an air which
Q she rendered with dramatic expression
! as rare as her abandon.
5 applaud, Applaud" she cried,
y clapping her own hands at the end ot
: brilliant passage, her colOriess, ir
4 regular face alive with enthusiasm. hci
d black eyes swapping. "If you don't aP
ID plaud. how do you expect me TO sing
L Vos plauditei"
ri IN applaud when you've surel,
y stopped" said Kitty Reid, demureiy
he "but before we begin an evening o
Al grand opera, | want you 10 hear n
m m princess. Helen. you know you prom
ised."
L "Nonsense!" exclaimed Helen. color
~ ing at the title. Il can't sing befor
r. Cadge; but If you like. I'll play 70
st you. See II I'm not improving in N
IN tremolo.-
d, Helen did not sing In the old days
so that l was not surprised at her II
ut fusal. Taking her mandolin, sh
ne tinkled an air that l have often hear
I'd her play, but neither nor anyone els
c; had ears for il, SO absorbed was th
I sense of sight.
of Her long Iashes swept her cheeks I
she bent forward In the hrelight, h
IS vivid coloring subdued by the sof
in playing glow to an elusive charm
i'm one moment, as the flames fiickert
at into stronger life. her beauty Seems
,et 10 grow fuller and TO have an orient
elf softness and warmth; the next q
we light would die away, and in the coo
ge er. grayer, fainter radiance, her pe
ew feet grace of classic outline made h
nc seem q statue-Galatea just coming
est life. more beautiful than the daughte
,he OF men, her great loveliness delicate
/. spiritualized.
Gid II were beautiful woman,
to learn TO play a mandolin.
see "Sing. Helen" begged Kitty in
uld whisper.
ate In voice that began tremulous
low and faltering, and slowly gain
I courage, she sang the ballad she h
ave been playing. 1t was easy to see III
but she was not a musician; but, as S
ing forgot her listeners, we forgot ever
'oll thing but her.
wo Miss Bryant put down the compass
rec and scale rule she had been restless
lingering, and her keen eyes soften
ice, and dilated. Kitty dropped on I
ng; floor at Helen's feet; the hush in
room was breathless. Reid sat in
ain dark, still as statue; | clenched ]
ida hands and held silence.
red The words were as simple as the
But the voice, so clear, 40 sweet
ing Joyous, like Helen's own loveiines
, to listening TO the rarest notes that
ever fallen on human ears-unless
hey tale of the sirens be history.
As the last note died, the fire leap
ank dropped and left us In dusk and siler
lick. Kitty buried her face against Hels