The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-07-08
(Continued from Bird page.)

govern them. seldom have to punish
any one. In Il way, children are like
grown people. and Il 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
place rather monotonousf" asked
Mrs. Mason.
"Oh, yes" replied Alice, lit is not
much like city life. 1t is delightful to
have theatcrS and the excitement of
social duties, as | imagine YOU have
all the time. and yet am not sure l
should like it. | fancy once in awhile
/ should sigh for Il shady spot i'm the
woods in summer where | could read
book or hear the birds sing. 1t is
only i'll winter that | should like to live
I'm the city"
Alice's stay in Boston passed rapidly
until only two days We're left, when
Blanch said to her. Il have invited n
few of my friends here to meet YOU to-
night, and want you to sing for me-"
I. .'Oh, please do not ask that" replied
Alice hastily. II do not sing well
enouShG.
"But YOU sing in church, and that Is
much hardcr7'
THAT is nothing" answered Alice,
smiling. Not lone in ten Of those
country people know one note from an
other. Here ali 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 your pleaded Blanch.
IL 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 timid country girl gave her the
needed courage. and she arose and
stepped across the room to the grand
piano that stood in one conner Her
cheeks were flushed, and afefiant curl
was on her lips, and then without
moments hesitation she seated. herself
and sang "rhe Last Rose Of Summer"
She had sung it many, many timels>sG--
fore, ana every trill and exquisite ouiv-,
er OF It's 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, AMI to an au-
dience that listened cntranccd. 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
Ell 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 subsidCd, it was Frank
that next plcadcd.''
Wont you sing one for me now,
Miss Pager he asked. II bought the
song l wanted today" And. going to
the piano, lie unrollcd and spread upon
the music rack-"Bcn Boltr- q.
But | only consented to sing SSee
for Blanch," Alice replied, t.Snd 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 simply furnished parlor
. In Sandgata, with its lamp on the
piano and open fire burning brightly
as'it had one year ago, went two of
that company in thought, and maybe
others there. whose youth had been
,,-,;,, ,,l
back to them by the singers voice and
saw 4 Dyway schoolhouse land q shad-
ed nook by running brook" in fancy,
or perhaps little white stone in some
grass grown corner, where, ''obsuure
and alone" lay n boyhood's sweet
heart. All the pathos OF our lost youth
trilled I'm the voice of Alice Page as she
sang that old, old song. Not one in
that little audience but was cnthrallcd
by the winsOme witchery of her yOice
and for the moment was young again
in thought and feeling. When the
guests had departed Mrs. Mason tuned
to Alice and, taking her face in her
hands. exclaimed, Il want To kids the
lips that have brought tears 70 my
eyes tonight" :.
The last evening of her visit she de-
cided to spend with her brothef, and
when she came TO bid adieu &c her
hostess that much dreaded naughty
mother had resolved herself .hto
charming lady. e
ut is odd, Bertic," she said 70 her
brother that evening when they were
alone together, chow different yeople
seem when one comes to know hem.
From one or two things which yo, have
said and an admission that rank
made a year ago / felt shouIdb sure
TO hate his mother, and now think
she Is perfectly lovely"
$50 she IS to those she likes an
swered Albert "You carried hcrleart