The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-12-08

your brother and visit with him lust as
well at our house," put in Mrs. Mason
HE is always welcome there"
Alice turned to her brother, remark
ing, 1T is nice of you to insist, and
am more than grateful, but it must be
as he says" Then she added prettily
HE is my papa and mamma now, and
the cook and captain bold and mate Of
the Nancy brig as well.''
Il will stir up mutiny on the Nancy
brig IT he does not consent" laughed
Blanch; $50 there is an end to that. and
you must be ready at 10 tomorrow"
CHAPTER XXXIX.
o LANCH had kept her threat
ID and literally taken possession
6-39 of her new friend and in
lsaa:73aD stalled her in the guest room
OF the Mason residence. 10 be taken in
hand, as it were, by a cultured and
wealthy young lady, and to have liv-
cried and obsequious coachman on duty
to convey them anywhere and every
where was new experience. It was
not long ere Alice began to feel her
self quite at home in the Mason family
and to notice that Mrs. Mason treated
her in motherly way.
II see that you are fond of your lit
tie charges" she said, after Alice had
described her school and some of the
peculiarities of her pupils who wore
outgrown roundabouts or calico pima
fores, "and I suppose they grow fond
of you as well''
| Il try to make them,' replied Alice,
"and I find that is the easiest way to
govern them. l seldom have to punish
any one. In way, children are like
grown people, and little tact and a
few words said in the right way are
more potent than fear of punishment"
"And do you not find life in so small
Mrs. Mason.
| "Oh, yes," replied Alice, 1T is not
much like city life. It is delightful to
have theaters and the excitement of
social duties, as L imagine you have
all the time, and yet am not sure I
should like it. I fancy once in awhile
should sigh for shady spot in the
woods in summer where I could read
book or hear the birds sing. It is
only in winter that should like to live
in the city"
Alice's stay in Boston passed rapidly
until only two days were left, when
Blanch said to her, II have invited
few of my friends here to meet you to-
night, and want you to sing for me-"
ooh, please do not ask that replied
Alice hastily. II do not sing well
enough"
"But you sing in church, and that is
much harder
"That is nothing" answered Alice,
smiling. ''Not one in ten Of those
country people know one note from an
other. Here all your friends hear the
finest operate singers, and would cut
a sorry figure In contrast
But you will sing just once to please
me, won't you?" pleaded Blanch.
II will not promise. will see how
many are here and how my courage
holds out"
When that evening came Blanch
waited until Alice had become some
what acquainted with the little gather
ing and the reserve had worn away,
when she went to her and, putting one
arm around her waist, whispered,
Come, now, dear, just one little song;
only one to please me.' At first Alice
thought to refuse, but her pride came to
the rescue, and the feeling that she
would show her friend that she was
not a timid country girl gave her the
needed courage, and she arose and
stepped across the room to the grand
piano that stood in one corner. Her
cheeks were flushed, and defiant curl
was on her lips, and then without a
moments hesitation she seated herself
and sang '"The Last Rose of Summer"
She had sung it many, many times be-
fore. and every trill and exquisite quiv-
er OF Its pathos was as familiar to her
as the music Of the brook where she
had played in childhood. She sang as
she never had before, and to an GU
dience that listened entranced. When
the last sweet note had passed her red
lips, she arose quickly and returned to
her seat. Two little tears stole out Of
Mrs. Nason's eyes, to be quickly brush
ed away with priceless bit of lace.
Sweet Alice, the motherless little coun-
try girl, had from that moment enter
ed the heart of Mrs. Mason. When the
applause had subsidized, it was Frank
that next pleaded
won't you sing one for me now,
Miss Pager he asked. II bought the
song wanted today" And, going to
the piano, he unrolled and spread upon
the music rack-"Ben Bolt!'
'But | only consented to sing once
for Blanch,' Alice replied, "and there
are others here who am sure can do
much better
"Come, please" he said coaxingly,
| 'just this one for me-" And once more
Alice touched the keys.
| Back to a simply furnished parlor