Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1904-08-18

"Oh, yes,' replied Alice, at is not
much like city life. 1t is delightful to
1ave theaters and the excitement of
social duties, as I imagine you have
all the time, and yet am not sure
should like it. fancy once in awhile
l should sigh for shady spot in the
woods IN summer where could read
a 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, 81 have invited
few Of my friends here to meet you to-
night, and I want you to sing for me-"
oh, please do not ask that" replied
Alice hastily. 81 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
nnest operatic 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 l 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
YnO and hn no
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 corner. Her
cheeks were flushed, and a 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 au-
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 l wanted today" And. going to
the piano. he unrolled and spread upon
the music rack-"Ben Boltl'
.'But only consented to sing once
for Blanch." Alice replied, "and there
are others here who I am sure can do
much better
"Come, please" he said coaxingly,
Gust this one for me-" And once more
Alice touched the keys.
Back to simply furnished parlor
In Sandgate, 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
among country scenes. were carried
back to them by the singers voice and
saw byway schoolhouse land shad-
ed nook by running brook" in fancy.
or perhaps little white stone in some
grass grown corner. where, Obscure
and Alone" lay boyhood's sweet
heart! All the pathos Of our lost. youth
trilled in the voice Of Alice Page as she
sang that old, old song. Not one in
that little audience but was enthralled
by the winsome witchery Of her voice
and for the moment was young again
in thought and feeling. When the
guests had departed Mrs. Mason turned
to Alice and. taking her face in her
hands. exclaimed, II want to kiss the
lips that have brought tears to my
eyes tonight"
The last evening Of her visit she de-
SAoCN " SpCu0 Will uST UEOIueT, anu
when she came to bid adieu to her
hostess that much dreaded naughty
mother had resolved herself into a
charming lady.
1T is odd, Bertie," she said to her
brother that evening when they were
alone together, chow different people
seem when one comes to know them.
From one or two things which you have
said and an admission that Frank
made year ago felt should be sure
to hate his mother, and now think
she Is perfectly lovely"
$50 she is to those she likes" an
swered Albert. 'Yeu carried her heart
by storm last evening as well as the
rest of the company. never heard
YOU sing so well.''
Il am glad I didn't break down, any.
way" she replied. ''for when I touched
the piano my heart seemed in my
mouth"
For an hour they discussed the Ma
sons, while Albert noticed his sister
avoided any mention Of Frank. and
then he said: well, sis, which Of the