The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1904-02-27
I The Soprano of l
(NeWtOn ChurCh)
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7 lFE seemed very dull and colorlesS
l. to Jessie Dale. There were days
when the girl longed with all the pas
sionate Impotence of her 1S years for
some change. IF something would
happen!" she would mentally exclaim.
She had been wishing this one morn
ing when the postman brought her a
letter. She recognized the writing OF
the superscription, and opened it in a
little glow of excitement, for she had
come to think that Anna Holmes had
forgotten her.
Jessie read the letter a second and
third time. Then she turned to her
aunt. 1T is from Anna, Aunt Martha
and just listen what she says" she ex-
claimed. I"ll skip the first part-Oh
here 1t Is:
land we shall be In our new church
next month. 1t is so beautiful! And
we are to have a new organ and paid
quartet choir. That is why l am writ
ing you in such hurry. ] want you
to come here and get the position OF
leading soprano. Mother thinks you
can have it without any trouble. There
is no one in view for 1t except young
girl of the place who is in Boston talk
ing course of singing lessons. have
heard her sing. Her voice is quite
sweet, but cannot be compared with
your full, beautiful tones. The salary
will be $3.50 year. That with the pu-
pills you can readily get will be better
than anything you could do in Wasset
Besides, think how delightful II
will be for us to have you here, for oil
course you will live with us! You
ought to come on next week to meet
the music committee. Let me know by
what train you will come and shall
meet you. Come you must"
Mrs. Sinclair's cold face did not
change in expression during the read
ing, and she made no remark when II
was finished. Her whole attention
seemed given to the stocking which
she was darning.
Don't you think that a splendid
chance, Aunt Martha?" asked the girl
after a prolonged wait for some COM
ment. "And don't you think that
ought to go?"
The thin line of Mrs. Sinclair's lips
scarcely parted as she said: at makes
no difference what think, for, OF
course, you'll do as you please"
20 Aunt Martial"
1--WE nothing to say about it, she
went on. coldly; then added after a
pause, in contemptuous tone: you
know my opinion of those fly-away
Holmses"
An angry light darkened Jessie's
blue eyes. To hear kind, gentle Mrs
Holmes and dear Anna spoken of in
that way! She bit her lips to keep
back the angry words that sprang to
them. When she could control herself
she said, quietly:
you know, Aunt Martha, that there
Is no chance for me to do anything
with my voice here-I mean to earn
money. 1t Is too small a place. OF
course, IL you feel that you need me,
Ill stay; otherwise"
Mrs. Sinclair interrupted her to ask
icily: How do I need you? You arc
free to do as you please"
very WE'LL" returned Jessie, "then
I'll write to Anna that I shall go. l
can easily. be ready to go next Mon
day"
Her aunt made no reply She
pressed her lips more closely together
and deliberately folded the stockings
which she had finished darning. Dur
ing the days which followed Mrs. SIN
clair's attitude Of cold Indifference did
not relax. She manifested no interest
in Jessie's preparations for departure.
These last were simple enough.
But with $3.50 year shall be able
to have some pretty Clothes" said the
girl to herself. as she packed her
scanty belongings, some nice things
like Mrs. Holmes buys for Anna"
She had had so little in her life like
other girls. She had lost her parents
ct too early an age to remember them;
her aunt had never made any show OF
affection for her, but had ever been
cold and stern.
The four years that Anna Holmes