Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-03-23
Continued.

appearance has been looked for, no
words can describe Everybody knows
how dreary is the interval between
dinner and the entrance of the gentle
men, even when the ladies who await
them are intimate friends and inclined
TO be amiable with one another; but
in this case there Is no question OF
friendship, and Lady Letchford's ef
forts at amiability are 80 forced and
unnatural that they fail utterly to draw
Carrie out of her shyness, and do no
more toward melting May into warmth
than would a wet blanket.
AS for the beauty, she makes no eff
fort but, disposing herself gracefully
in comfortable chair, gazcs sleeplly
at tho fire, and limits herself TO con
tributions TO the voncersation to
languidly murmured monosyllables.
Lady Letchford starts all sorts Of
topics. but May knows nothing about
art needIe-work, and cares less frank
" admits that peerage, and takes not
the slightest interest in the Newlands'
soup-ketchen or the Crawford Ladies'
Sewing Club.
Just before the door opens, and the
welcome sound OF mems footsteps Is
heard, silence-broken only by a re-
mark that at is getting cold" or that
not nearly 30 much tea liz drank as
used to be"--reigns profound.
Sir Heron strides or stalks in--he
has long legs, and his gait is to match
and looking around upon them, says,
with emile that Is somewhat ironi.
cal:
"Well, are you all enjoying your.
selyes"
very much" says Rose Vayasour.
III were not afraid Of being con
sidored rude, should say you were
half asleep. Miss Dalton, will you give
us little music
May looks up and smiles reluctantly,
but In doing 40 she intereepts n
glance which Miss Vavasour intends
for Lady Letchford, and which says,
plainly: "She cannot even play" and
May, instead OF refusing, arises and
walks TO the piano.
Sir Heron follows to open It. but
Vane Vayasour Ia standing close by
and forestalls him, and II IL he who
gets Mays murmured: Thanks"
"Is tho stool high enough2 You
would like moro lights? can got
them directly" And Notwithstanding
May reminds him that she hasn't any
music, he brings couple of candles.
May strokes a few notes softly then
pauses. Rose Vavasour looks around
with that air Of patronizing curiosity
with which one woman insults another
On such occasions.
She, The professional beauty, Is n
skilled musician, to whom Handel and
Mi2art are as familiar as household
words. Mays knowledge of music Is,
alas, of the most ordinary kind but
though she cannot play. classical
music, she has that which many an nc
oomplished musician would give all
their knowledge to possess-a fresh,
sweet young voice, which In the days
of genteel poverty and Woodblne villa
has warbled homely ballads for the
amusement of her father and Carrie,
and which In later times has been the
delight of group of schoolgirls who
could be kept quiet by no other
means,
shall | sing something she says,
looking around At them.
I'm afraid / only know a few bal
,nIg bui
"Sinp Tho Minstrel Boy says Car
lie, tlmidly
May looks around ut her with a
smile, then pays the prelude softly
and commences.
At the first notes, so round and
clear, and above all SO free. Rose Naya-
sour colors aud drops her eyes.
Sir Heron turns, almost abruptly,
from Mr. Dalton, who Is holding forth
on politics, and Lady Letchford
raises her eyes and peers through the
dimness with suppressed curiosity,
Clear and sweet the fresh young
voice sends forth that most touching
of Moore's balladsand what praise
lHdt diu Il'SNHNlN ibtluN i&'iNhltlu
is looking at the fire with dimmed
eyes: Rose Vavasour is pale with
modification, and Carrle-who always
makes point of crying ut the Min.
strel Boy"-has two great tears run,
ming down her cheeks
With long, soft mournfulness. the
last note floats through the air, and
then fades In silence.
Vane Vayasour Is the first TO speak,
Miss Dalton" he says. you have
very nearly wronged me past forgive.
ness"
Indeed says May. how"
you have nearly made me cry"
he says, gravely. I've heard the
Minstrel Bay oh hundred times
but never in that way Where did YOU
learn to sing II like that
May strikes note with her finger
Il don't know. Do you like It? |
used to sing. 1t to the girls of the
school where used to teach" she