The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-08

was Bill, but liked by all and loved by
some for his simple ways. He was
"Bill'' TO ALL but there were few, IL any,
who could boast of having drawn him
into conversation of more than a few
words.
Yet there was SANDY" Diggers. the
janitor or the fiat across the street.-the
was the chosen one OF Bilrs friends, and
the two old cronies were inseparable,
telling each other their trials and tribu-
lations whatever they might be. Bill was
n woman hater, Sandy SAID, and the gos-
sips of the church-there were some of
course-said the same. Sandy also inti-
mated that Bill had a love affair
wonst."
Bill promptly called Sandy liar Sandy
would chuckle to himself-Bil would
grunt; Bill would take a chew of tobacco
and the scrap between them would be
over
The fact was, Bill never would have
anything TO do with women, SO perhaps
Sandy might have been right in his In
ferences. He was backward and silent
whenever any members of the w &. T.. L..
or the Ladies Aid society were around
They were entirely too "fussy." he would
say to Sandy. Sandy would nod hts
head and bite off a fresh piece Of tobacco
in approval of BINS ideas on the woman
question. However. he was always a
willing worker at the church and left
nothing undone; he had TO be told only
once and would move about his duties
in his naturally quiet manner, paying
listlc or no attention TO any one.
one day there came a change. 1t
was at rehearsal--for one of those
church entertainments you know The
respective persons taking part were going
over their numbers and Bin was getting
things in order for the affair Suddenly
he heard a voice. lie stopped In his
work. but did not turn around He did
not move for fear Of breaking the spell
The voice. n soft sweet voice. seemed to
lift hri out OF himself and transport him
TO another world lie could not under
stand IT,
one of the men spoke 10 hm--asked him
TO move a table or somCthiag, but he paid
no heed This i'm Itself was strange for
Bill. Then the voice sounded again--and
it-yes-it spoke TO him "Mr. Slatterly.
will you kindly move this music rack
for me? Thank you!'
Then Bill turned and looked at her
He said nothing. He could not IL he
had tried, but rested his eyes upon her
for a moment. turned and did her bid
ding Then he sat down on a chair In
the corner and watched until the form
of Her seemed 20 take on the shape OF
an angel he had seen in some book or
otherwise.
The rehearsal was over and they went
away, Bill watching her as she passed
out. Then he buried his head in his
horny hands and cried TO hlmself--"I
love her. I love her"
Sandy came I'm n moment later and
found Bill-tapped him on the shoulder
saying: Come on. Bill; let's git out and
set somethin' to eat-csme on.
Bill looked up.
"All-all right Sandy" he answered;
arose and together they passed out Of
the door. locked a. and crusrrd-tie
street That night-will Bill ever forget
it? She sang and he listened with n
strained. fixed attention. Every note
seemed 10 touch his very soul and he sat
in n half-dazed condition thinking OF the
singer until audience. stage. everything.
seemed TO fade away leaving but Her
standing alone with him.
The concert was over-The people He'd
out chattering carelessly. Bill closed up
the church and with Sandy walked to-