River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-07-28
Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Col

with a most distinguished air,
modest in bearing, straightforward IN
manner and frank of countenance ana
possessed of a 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 sill fancy free.
Though they were the best of friends
he shrewdly OWNED that he would be
forcing an issue if he told her of his
love-
81 hear you are going to sing a solo
at st. Lukes 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 guest at that time
"a friend of my younger brother He
is quite music mad, l believe"
"Who is he?" she asked, carelessly.
"An Englishman-though he spent
his boyhood in America. His name is
Reginald Derybshire."
"Oh!" she cried, her eyes full Of in
terest. Did he live here in this city
years ago, and did he fall heir to a
title and estates in England?"
yes" he replied. did you know
him?"
Her eyes had become reminiscent
and a soft smile played about the deli
cate curves Of her lips.
when we were children we sang in
a vested choir. We were given the
duets, more because / was so fair and
he so dark than from any blending of
voices. They thought we made
tableau, I suppose. 1t was like TO
nance, his becoming Lord Somebody
and crossing the seas to his estates,
and I! Well, my lines were cast in far
different places"
Watching her jealousy he noted the
sudden SOLDERING Of her countenance.
Sunday morning found him in the
Hathcourt pew, his brother and their
guest, Reginald Derbyshire, also pres
emit
Young Derbyshire had gone to Eng
land full of American ideas and with a
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. It 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, a 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.
Zone of Raphael's Sistine Cherubs!"
thought Reginald.
At the rising cadence of the song and
the exquisite play of the silvery tim
Der 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 Of
his boyhood!
A flood of sunshine streamed
through the painted windows and fell
in slanting rays upon the golden hair
that crowned the young singer like
halo.
"And I taught her that song!" was
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 he
rushed forward with impetuous and
outstretched hand.
Leigh" he cried, eagerly.
A bright, glorious flush rose to her
cheeks and a happy light shone in her
eyes as she graspei his hand, while
Philip, standing by, felt like kicking
this newcomer to the ends of the earth.
81 knew you as soon as you began
to sing-our old song!" he exclaimed.
She wondered, with a sudden divin-
ing, of the reason that Philip. had not
told him of her. Reginald accompanied
her to her home and they talked of
other days-the days when she had
sung in the choir and the unhappy
days that had followed, when her
father had died so suddenly, and to
support her invalid mother the little
Leigh had sung in dance halls and on
pleasure boats. At her mothers DEATH
Just before he had come into his pos
sessions, she had been adopted by some
wealthy people.
There have been changes indeed in
your life since the day 1 taught you
the song you sang to-day" he observed.
mo greater changes than came into
your life, my lord" she retorted.
A blush Redeemed his boyish face.
Even kittens can scratch, but no one
can cherish resentment long towards
a kitten BY the time they reached
the house they were on friendly terms,
and in the days that followed he
haunted her presence with a per-
sistence agonizing to Philip.
Early in June they were invited to a
house party at Roselawn, the country