The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-07-29
Lovers Twain
Copyright, 1901. by Daily Story Pub. Co.,
BELLE MANIATES


TALL and admirably proportioned.
with a most distinguished air,
modest in bearing, Straightforward in
manner and frank of countenance and
possessed of captivating personality,
Philip Hathcourt was well equipped to
win Favor in the eyes of women But
Leigh Cornell, the one woman to whom
his heart inclined, was still fancy free.
Though they were the best of friends
he shrewdly OWNED that he would be
forcing an issue IL he told her of his
love
81 hear you are going to sing a solo
at st. Luke's next Sunday" he said, as
they sat in the box at the theater one
night
Yes; I am to sing Angels Ever
Bright and Fair"
81 shall come to hear you. BY the
way, we shall have a guest at that time
"a friend of my younger brother. He
Is quite music mad, believe"
who is he?" she asked, carelessly.
"An Englishman-though he spent
his boyhood in America His name is
Reginald Derybshire."
'Ohi" she cried. her eyes full OF in
terest- did he live here in this city
years ago, and did he fall heir to
title and estates in England?"
YES" he repdied. Did you know
him?"
when we were children we sang in a
a vested choir. We were given the
duatu mora baoonua u-au oo fair and
he so dark than from any blending of
voices. They thought We made q
tableau, / suppose. 1t was like a ro-
nance. his becoming Lord Somebody
and crossing the seas to his estates.
and II Well, my lines were cast in far
different places"
Sunday morning found him in the
Hathcourt pew, bis brother and their
guest, Reginald Derbyshire. also pres
ent.
Young Derbyshire had gone to Eng
land full of American ideas and with q
stolid determination not to become
English" but it was only natural that
an impressionable boy should insensi-
bly, and by degrees receive the imprint
Of English sentiments. Gradually he
became nodded in the character OF the
country which had been his birthplace,
and at last England claimed him for
her own. Soon after attaining his ma
jority he again visited his old home.
He had an eager interest in everything
pertaining to his old life and hunted
up his former friends with enthusiasm.
He had ever cherished most tender
recollections of the little pansy-eyed
girl who had sung and played with
him. 1t was of her, in fact, he was
now thinking as he appeared to listen
to the sermon.
He had scarcely glanced at the mem
bers of the vested choir until now,
when the organ pealed forth at the
close of the sermon. young girl rose
and faced the congregation. She
looked as tender and pure as an arch.
angel in her white robes, with eyes
uplifted to the oaken rafters of the
little chapel
"One of RaphaeIs Sistine Cherubs,"
thought Reginald.
At the rising cadence Of the song and
the exquisite play of the silvery tim
ber of her voice his memory awoke.
Leigh" he gasped. as the old, IA
miliar air and words rang out. How
they took him back to the Sundays oi
his boyhoodi
"And 1 taught her that songi" wa,
his triumphant thought
She finished. There was a momen
tary silence like that solemn pause
which follows a benediction. Then
with a tremor in his low, gentle voice
the old pastor offered a heartfelt
prayer. Outside the church Reginald
waited for her. When she came h,
rushed forward with impetuous and
outstretched hand
Leigh" he cried. eagerly.
A bright, glorious flush rose to hel
cheeks and q happy light shone In he
eyes as she grasped his hand. whil'
Philip. standing by. felt like kickinl
this newcomer to the ends of the earth
81 knew you as soon as you begal
to stng-our old song," he exclaimed
She wondered, with a sudden divin
ing. of the reason that Philip had no
her TO her home and they talked o
other days-the days when she ha'
sung in the choir and the unhapp,
days that had followed. when he
father had died so suddenly, and Z
support her invalid mother the littl
Leigh had sung in dance halls and ol
pleasure boats. At her mothers death
Just before he had come into his pos
sessions. she had been adopted by som
wealthy people.
There have been changes indeed Il
your life since the day l taught yo
the song you sang to-day" he observed
NO greater changes than came int
your life, my lord" she retorted.
Early in June they were invited to
house party at Roselawn, the countr
home OF the Hathcourts. One after
noon. as Reginald sat beside Leigh o
the piano bench watching the slende
fingers that glided so softly over tn
keys. he was struck by a new expires
sion in her eyes. The dazzling brigh
ness of her face had given way to
strange. sweet quiet. Hitherto he ha
regarded her as a gay little playmat,
1t occurred to him now that she wa
a woman.
Leigh" he half whispered, do 20
remember that when we were childre
was your little lover?"
She looked at him with startle
eyes. Something in his tone and eye
= warned her whittier his thoughts wer
$ turning. He noted her changing colo
: and pulled himself together. 1t wa
luot right to firt with this girl! Il