The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-08-20
BREAK
The PR0GRAI


no white dress to wear, and coEse
quently could not take part: Miss Muir
ray sent back word that she would pro
vide a dress, but IN a short time an
other note came, simply stating that it
would be impossible for her to CORE
made several attempts to find her
but did not succeed"
81 am sorry not to have heard her"
said Mr. Norris. I'VE have number
of applicants for the place, but none
who are entirely satisfactory.
While Amy secured hat Mrs. No
ris hastily gathered huge bunch Of
white roses, and then they drove rap
idly to the house in the suburbs where
people We're gathering for the funeral.
Poor people have little time even for
liday enabled many to be there; while
a goodly number from st. PauPs. Of
which church the dead girl was de
vout member, had come to pay low
ling tribute to her memory.
| Mr.. Norris made his way into the
crowded house and soon came out to
say:
81 am very sorry l persuaded ) 81
to leave the entertainment, Miss Field.
| 1t seems that friend of poor Mabel'S
| is to sing. 1t was her last request,
but they did not mention it when We
talked over the arrangements yester-
day"
ut does not matter in the least
said Amy. at will be more comfort
ing to the family to listen to friend
rather than a stranger"
a peculiar light came into Amy's
eyes as One Sweetly, Solemn Thought
f1oated out on the sultry air. In spite
OF the heat, the members from the up
town church crowded to the open win
dows to catch glimpse of the unseen
singer. All unconscious of anything
or any one save the broken-hearted
mother before her; the young CIR!
sang on:
For it may be I'm nearer home,
Nearer now than I Think
finished the sweet voice, and the
hush that followed was broken by tn.
minister's voice praying. The trium-
plant words, Il am the Resurrection
and the Life, were followed by an
eloquent little address. on the beauty
of the life of Mabel Brooks. Mr.. Nor
ris dwelt especially on its early but
victorious close, and quoted her last
words: Don't cry, mother. l shall
have glorious Fourth this year, for
my suffering will all be over
Then the exquisite voice was lifted
in the victorious strains of q Know
That My Redeemer Liveth,'' and the
to allow all to look for the last time
at the familiar face. AS Amy noted
the snowy dress half hidden by flow
ers "a sudden thought struck her.
THAT is the very dress Dora had
for the cantata. She must have given
it for shroud, and that is the reason
she could not sing. How strangely
things turn out after ALL might have
saved myself lot of worry, for the
most critical people from the church
heard her and are delighted She
never did better in her life, and that
simple black dress is more becoming
to her than white"
Amys quick brain was correct
When Mabel Brooks died suddenly,
though she had been suffering a long
time, Dora promptly carried her pretty
new dress to the distracted mother.
She knew Amy could take her place in
the entertainment. so bravely putting
by a perfectly natural desire for APP
plause, she quietly helped prepare fol
the funeral OF her friend.
Il wonder who that young lady is
who sang at the funeral" said Mr.
Norris. as they drove slowly home
Such a wonderful voice as she has
and such a quiet. disnified nannerl
| | am sure she can be chosen to fl!
our vacancy if she cares to take it.
'She is my protege who was to
have been Peace If | am not greatly
mistaken, the poor girls shroud was
the dress Dora was TO have worn,'
said Amy. 81 am so glad you heard
her. To me her voice is simply ex-
quisite. and l never tire of listening
to it. 1t must have been a trial TO
her to give up the cantata for she
loves to sing
Yes, l did not like to give up the
entertainment" said Dora when she
saw Amy next day; but Nabels
mother needed me. Such a wonderful
thing hannPDa1 TO mic this