Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-01-09

ciapping her own hdHus az -ne WV Va
a brilliant passage, her coloriess, ir-
regular face alive with enthusiasm, her
black eyes swapping. IF you don't APP
plaud. how do you expect me to sing?
Vos plaudite!"
"Tll applaud when you've surely
stopped" said Kitty Reid, demurely;
"but before we begin an evening OF
) grand opera, l want you to hear the
princess. Helen, you know you prom
ised."
"Nonsensel" exclaimed Helen, color
ing at the title, 81 can't sing before
Cadge; but if you like, I'll play for
you. See if I'm not improving in my
tremolo."
Helen did not sing in the old days,
so that / was not surprised at her re-
fusal. Taking her mandolin, she
tinkled an air that have often heard
her play, but neither nor anyone else
had ears for il, so absorbed was the
sense of sight.
Her long lashes swept her cheeks as
she bent forward in the freight, her
vivid coloring subdued by the soft,
PLAYING glow to an elusive charm. AT
one moment, as the flames fiiekered
into stronger life, her beauty seemed
70 grow fuller and TO have an oriental
softness and warmth; the next the
light would die away, and in the cool
er, grayer, fainter radiance, her per-
feet grace of classic outline made her
seem a statue-Galatea just coming to
life, more beautiful than the daughters
Of men. her great loneliness delicately
spiritualized.
II / were a beautiful woman, I'd
learn to play mandolin.
"Sing, Helen" begged Kitty in a
whisper.
In a voice that began TREMENDOUSLY
low and faltering, and slowly gained
COURAGE, she sang the ballad she had
been playing. 1t was easy to see that
she was not a musician; but, as she
forgot her listeners, we forgot every
thing but her.
Miss Bryant put down the compasses
and scale rule she had been restlessly
lingering, and her keen eyes softened
and dilated Kitty dropped on the
floor at Helen's feet; the hush in the
room was breathless. Reid sat in the
dark, still as a statue; | clenched my
hands and held silence.
The words were as simple as the air,
But the voice, so. clear, so sweet so
Joyous, like Helen's own loveliness-
listening to the rarest notes that had
ever fallen on human ears-unless the
tale of the sirens be history.
As the last note died. the fire leaped,
dropped and left us in dusk and silence.
Kitty buried her face against Helen's
dress My heart was pounding until in
my own ears it sounded like an anvil
chorus. l don't know whether | was
very happy or very miserable. would
have died to hear that voice again. II
is the TRUTH
With a sudden sob and a shifting that
told of tears unashamed, Miss Bryant
found frivolous words to veil our emo
ton.
Ladies and gentlemen" she quav-
tIEAs AhiE ~ a NIX A -AAtHH NbAANNA -
three dollars each for tickets, please
Helen, you don't know how to sing
but-don't learnt Come, Pros. the
big drops ran down her cheeks; 1--WE
got to look up story in the morning"
wait minute" said Reid, his long.
delicately-shaped fingers trembling.
Let me recover on something"
Picking up Kitty's banjo, he smote
the strings uncertainty and half sang,
half detained:
With my Hyal Heeyal Heeyal Hullah
Haull
oh. the green that thunders aft along the
deckl
Are you sick Of towns and men? You must
sign and sail again,
For it's Johnny Bowlegs pack your kit
and TREK
"By Jove! Kipling's right; nothing
like banjo, is there? Now then,
Young Person, I'm with you. Good
night; good night"