Middletown transcript., 1903-03-14

: Well, said Rosamond, with
2 little spirit, why do you think
go, Miss Alice?
Because you want to. my deal
} And why not? cried Rosamond
Why shouldn't | want to, an
why shouldn't ! go? fl don't,
bury my talent in the earth in
napkin!
Burying her talent in a nap
kin! David Ray put that into he
head, Miss Alice said, when sh,
sat by herself at her little tea
table that evening. AS if stay
ing at home and doing her duty
wouldn't be developing all hel
talents! As if to see girl who
is dutiful and sweet. tempered
isn't as good for the world as
hearing a beautiful voice-that
you've got to pay for, tool
| However, the arrangements
for going abroad were made, and
time went on; and what with
dressmaking and letter-writing
and practising, Rosamond's days
were pretty full; and by and by
the day came for her to go away.
Miss Alice wentup to say good
by to her the night before, and
could hardly get a word in be-
cause David Ray was there, chat
tering away about the child's fu-
ture. Mrs. Gorham sat knitting,
silently; sometimes she ran her
big wooden knitting needles, and
smiled over at the judge, who
looked flushed and nervous, but
said nothing; and sometimes size
looked at Rosamond, tenderly
yet, somehow, with asort of pity.
Rosamond looked everywhere
and at Everybody, her eyes shin
ing, and laugh bubbling over
every minute.
Her old teacher thought she
was hardy going to be able tosay
good-by to her because every
body wanted to talk to her; but
when she went up to her and kiss
ed her. Rosamond held on to her
hand with nervous sort of grip,
and she said, right in her ear, l
want to speak to you a minute,
Miss Alice. And then, pulling
at her hand, shes slipped outof the
room and out of the front door,
into the darkness on the front |
porch.
Miss Alice, she said, breath
lessly, / know you think I'm not
doing right, and-and I can't
bear to go away, and have you
feel that way, because you've al
ways been SO good to me! she
said, with a sob.
Nonsense! Miss Alice said, very
nearly crying herself. l hav-
en't! And then she broke down,
fo1. it was dreadful to her to lose
the child.
Listen, dear Miss Alice, Rosa.
mond said. It's like this: I must
because can't have you
think quite so badly of me.
I can't! Miss Alice said, squeez-
ng her pocket handkerchief
against her eyes.
It's like this: 1 do believe that
1
It's duty to make the most of
ny life in whatever way I can;
20 cultivate whatever gift God
has given me. o Miss Alice, be-
ieve that, truly ] do! And 1 have
good voice, don t mean in the
way Mr. Ray says, but good
Toice; | can sing in concert, it not
ngrand opera, and, ch, I love it!
4nd-don't you see? I ,oant to
make the most of myself. Moth
II and father understand; and
hey have each other, SO they
lon't mind letting me go.
Her father and mother did not
mind! Well, of course Miss Alice
vas not going to get into any
rgument with the child at nine
clock at night, when her trunks
7ere packed and her tickets
ought and the carriage ordered
Or half after seven the next
forming; but she could not help
aging, 0 Rosamond, do you +
mink they don't? And then she
lst kissed her, and said, But
lere, there! I know just what
on mean. She did know, for
'osamond was as sincere as a !
aby, and believed just what she
hid; it was only that the girl p
,uld not see the other side, Y
Miss Alice woke early that next o,
Iorning, and lay listening for the to
heels of the carriage going up G
le hill to the judges for Rosa se
lond. 1t was gray and misty,
I'd the scent of autumn was in
le air; and by and by it began to !;
in in vague, hesitating way. !
Il. l -