The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-11-12


the bow, and revolved with the music
stool, to catch but her echoes in the
empty room. None had entered behind
shadow in the deep veranda thru the
open door. But for the startled girl at
the open piano, Mrs Clarkson's sanctum
was precisely as Mrs. Clarkson had
left it an hour before; her own photo
the usual number Of ornamental
frames; there was nothing whatever to
confirm a wild suspicion Of the living
lady's untimely return. And yet either
guilty conscience, or an ear as sensitive
as it was true, had heard an unmistaka-
BILE step outside.
, Hilda Bouverie lived to look magnif
cent when she sang, her fine frame
a pillar Of pale coral, her mouth the
perfect round, her teeth a noble relic
of barbarism; but gweeter she never
ment Of them, as she sat with lips just
parted and teeth just showing, in a
simple summer frock Of her own un-
aided making. Her eyes, Of the one
deep Tasmanian blue, were still open
'oIy WAuo, puS III 1oASel Win IAo of1lho
apprehension; for a step there was, but
q step that jingled; nor did they recog-
nize the silhouette in top-boots which
at length stood bowling on the threshold.
"Please finish it!'' prayed voice
that Miss Bouverie liked in her turn;
but it WAS too much at ease for one
entirely strange to her, and she rose
with little embarrassme and no hest
tation at ALL
"Indeed, moi I thought had the
station to MYSELF
$50 you had-I have not seen
soul'
Miss Bouveris instantly perceived
that honors were due from her.
IT am sorry! You've come to see
Mr.. and Mrs. Clarkson?' she cried.
MRS, Clarkson has just left for Mel
bourne with her maid, and Mr.. Clark
son has gone mastering with all his
men. But the Indian cook is about
somewhere. I'll find him, and he shall
make some tea.'
The visitor planted himself with
much gallantry in the doorway; he
was man still young, with a single
eyeglass and martial mustache, which
combined to give distinction to a some
what swarthy countenance. At the mo-
ment be had also an engaging smile.
"I didn't come to see either Mr.. or
Mrs. Clarkson,' said he; Gin fact, I
never heard their name before. | was
passing the station, and simply came
to SEQ who it was who could sing like
that-to believe my own ears!',s
Miss Bouverie was thrilled. The
stranger spoke with an authority that
she OWNED, sincerity which she in
stinctively took on trust. Her breath
came quickly; she was little nervous
now.
eff you won't sing to my face" he
went on, ~ must 60 back to where
hung up my horse, and pray that you
will at least send me on my way re-
ioicing. You will do that in any case
I didn It know there was such voice in
these parts. You sing a good deal, OF
courses"
II haven't sung for months.''
He was now in the room; there was
no longer any necessity to bar the
doorway, and the light coming thru
fell full on his amazement. The Cir
stood before him with a calm face
more wistful than ironic, yet with hints
of humor in the dark blue eyes, Hc1
companion put up the eyeglass which
he had dropped at her reply.
"May I ask what you are doing IL
these wilds9'
"Certainly. I am Mrs. olarkson'
companion
land you sing, for the first timo II
months, the minute her back is turned
has the lady no soul for music9'
"You had better ask the lady"
And her visible humor reached tn,
corners of Miss Bouverie g mouth.
''She sings herself, perhaps9'
"And I am here to play her &C
companimentsl
The eyeglass focused the great snai]
ing g. girl. =, .u,,
'She has voice.
'But have you never let her bea
yours9"
"Once. I had not been here Ion
enough to know better. And I mad
my usual mistake.:'
"What is that?''
"I thought had the station t
MYSELF
The questioner bowed to his rebuk'
"Well9" he persisted none the less.
~ was told exactly what my voic
- was like, and fit for.'
The gentleman turned on his heel, q
- tho her appreciation Of the humor c
her position were an annoyance to hin
His movement brought him face to fac
with Photographic galaxy Of ladies
varying styles of evening dress, wit
an equal variety in coiffures, but a ce
tain family likeness running thru til
series. .
care any Of these Mrs. Clarksona
- "All of them.'
He muttered something in his mu
tache. "And what's this7'' he aske
of sudden. E.@
The young man (for as such Mi
Bouverie was beginning to regard hin
was standing under the flaming bill {
grand concert to be given in tt
township of Yallarook for the benefit
- local charities.
$50" Oh, that s Mrs. Clarkson's CO.
cert" he was informed. "She h;
been getting it up, and that's why she
had to 60 to Melbourne-about b.
dress, you know
He smiled sardonically thru mustacl
and monocle.
Her charity begins near home! -
SIT need not necessarily end there.
stYet she sings FIVE times herself.