Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-05-19

"cIi w ouf mousse, put in Mrs. Mason.
'lle is always welcome there"
Alice turned to her brother remark
Ing, "lt is nice OF you to insist. and I
am more tnan grateful. but II must be
as ne sayS' Then she added nrettilv.
We is my papa and mamma now. and
The cook and captain bold ana mate of
the Nancy brig as we'll"
Il will stir ~ n mutiny on The Nancy
brig if ho does not conseni." laughed
Hianch $50 th"rp is an end 10 that. and
vow must be ready at 10 tomorrow"
CHAPTER XXNTX.
Ws pLANCH bad kept her threat
- and literally taken possession
sH;-----s.iG Of her now friend and in.
lissssGa&isy stalled her in the guest room
o. the Mason residence. To be taken ia
hand. as it We're. by cultured and
wealthy young lady, and to have a iv-
cried and obsequious coachman on duty
TO convey them anywhere and every
where was q new experience. 1t was
not long ere Alice began to feel her
self quite Mt home in the Mason family
and to notice that Mrs Mason treated
her in motherly way.
Il see that you are fond of your lit
tie charges" she said, after Alice had
described her school and some of the
p"ctlliarities of her pupils who wore
outgrown roundahuuts or calico pima
forcs, land | suppose they grow fond
Of YOU ms we'll
Il try TO make them" replied Alice,
and find thpt is the easiest way to
govern them. | seldom have to punish
any one. In way. children are like
grown people, and little tact and n
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 monotonous;' asked
Mrs Mason
"Oh, yes, replied Alice ct is not
much like city life. It is delightful 10
have theaters and the excitement of
social duties, as imagine you have
oil the time, and yet I am not sure
should Ike it. | fancy once in awhile
| should sigh for n shady spot in the
woods in summer whore I could read
book or hear the birds sing 1t is
only in winter that should like to live
in the city"
Alicc'S stay in Boston passed rapidly
until only two days were left. when
Rlanch said to her. II have invited a
few of my friends here to meet you 10.
night. and want You to sing for me
"0h, please do not ask that" replied
Alice hastily. Il do not sing we
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
sorry figure in contrast
But you will sing Just once to please
me, won't YOU pleaded Rlanch.
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 AZ first Alice
thought to refuse. but her pride came tc
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 gvan1
piano that stood in one corner. Her
checks were ..Ished and defiant cue
was on her lips, ana then without u
moments hesitation she seated herself
and sang "Ihe Last Rose Of Sumner'
She had sung it many. many times he
fore, and every trill anS exquisite quiv
or 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, and to an au
dience that listened entrauced. Wher
the last sweet note had passed her red
lips, she arose quickly and returned &c
her seat. Two little tears stole out OF
Mrs. NaSOn'S eyes, to he quickly brush
cd away with a priceless bit of lace
Sweet Alec, the mOtherless little com
try girl, had from that moment enter
ed the heart of Mrs. Mason. When tht
applause had subsidized, it was Frank
that next pleaded.
'Wont YOU sing one for me now
Miss Page" he asked II bought the /
song | wanted today And going tc |
the piano, he unrolled and spread upon
the music rack-"Ren Boltn'
But | only consented to sing once
for Blnnch," Alice replied "and there
are others here who | am sure can dc |
much better
Come, please" he said coaxingy |
'juSt this one for me" And once more |
Alice touched the keys.
Back 70 simply furnished parlol |
in Sandgate, with its lamp on the |
piano and open fire burning brightly |
as ii 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 schoOlhousc land a 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 orc in