The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1906-11-29
An Antique
BY MARTHA
MCULIOCH, WILLIAMS
Copyright. 1876, by =. G. Eastment

ark" Miss Althea Evans said, noddmg
toward the new girl in the choir.
Isabella Strange. her chum aud rival
in Eastwood society glggled and AN
swercd loud enough for the new girl to
hear; You are shockingly ignorant,
l4eathy Don't YOU know there are
people who take pride In their an
tiqucsY'
lnyOluntarly, II seemed, tile new girl
put her hand up to the plume which
dropped to touch masses of bright way.
ing hair The plume was not draggled;
nothing, indeed, about the hat showed
touch Of wear. hut II was at least
three seasons behind the style. also
very becoming to the wearer, She was
slim and tall, with sherry wine eyes
aud creamy. rose tinted complexion.
la the lips the roses burned To clear
scarlet, and there was an adorable dim
pie lurking at one side. Dark Drows,
delicately arched, gave an accent TO the
face an accent repeated by the gold
lights OF the abundant brown hair
Thus nature explained the situaHon. A
girl who looked that way could afford
TO be old fashioned, and two other girls,
enormously stylish, but with no looks
TO boast, could not help but be Ill ma
tured.
Benson. the choir leader. 4 thin man.
perpetualy scowling, but wholly
through near sight, wheeled stifily upon
Althea and said: 1.-The solo? Have you
practiced it as you promised? Let's try
it first thing
Athea turned her back to him. pig!
Does he think | mean to waste my
singing?" she whispered loudly to Isa-
bella. Over her shoulder she added Ian
guidly: "Mr. Benson, I'll sing my solo
Sunday after next. Some-some friends
of mine" significant emphasis on the
friends, ARE coming specially to hear
me- Untii then you must make out
with-the rest"
"As you will, Miss Evans" Benson
said, flush creeping up to his sallow
cheek but you promised. depend
ed on the promise. And it is much to
Inc that the music shall be eyen.'
y dare say, but | shun't sing except
when | feel like it, Althea said, with
Il touch of inSolence.
Her father was head of the yestry,
and she thought she knew Benson dared
not resent anything she might do.
1t took her breath to have him say
firmly: I'm that case you are quito use
less. Music, great gift. Il great bless
ing. does not come without work II
you win not work unspafngly you will
hinder rather than help. You should
work-for your own sake. You have
voice, oh. yes, but it needs heart in it.
Unless you grow to love the work you
will never get the heart. Your sing
ing will be-what you say dumb.-like
street piano that one may play with
crank"
Really, this this is beyond endur
ance" Althea begun.
Isabella laughed low and unpleasant
ly and put her hand over Althea's lips
Then she called to the choir master
who had moved a little way off: why
don't YOU try Miss Archer:' nodding
toward the new girl. Pm sure she
looks musical--She may be an artist"
Miss Archer smiled duintily, saying:
"Oh thank you. | should like to sing
| love 1t and have been silent ever
since | came-the walls are SO thin at
Mrs. Wray's, and should so hate TO
disturb any one"
You What will You care for:" Ben
son asked, seating himself at the small
organ. The girl bent her head softly
saying; Something Old and simple
Something my mother sang. please
Say 'Rock of Ages OF Coronation
I'm going. | hate ail that old rub
bish," Althca said, marching toward
the door.
Isabella followed her, but paused
her hand on the knob, 10 say with a
giggle, as though speaking TO some
one still in the room; You'd better put
up sign outside, Antiques to Be Seen
and Heard Hcrer" Then she ran down
the steps laughing loudly, ahd as she
overlook Althea caught her arm, shook
her gayly and said; Il think we have
settled Miss Archer If she has any
sense at all she won't come again =
after this
Whether or no Miss Archer had sense
she certainly had a voice. She also
and this was the crown of poor Ben
sous ioy-knew mighty We'll how TO
Use It, She was withal modest and
blddable, giving herself no airs what,
ever, albeit two Sundays Of her solos
had suttieed TO crowd the church. She
kept much to herself aud, although
frank and friendly enough, put by so
cal opportunities us they came,
Mrs Judge Gray called the very first
Sunday afternoon, thing she had uev-
er been known 10 do before. She ask
ed Miss Archer to tea; also TO dinner
next week But Miss Archer shook her
head She was in Eastwood for rest
and must not let herself he beguiled.
Besides, she had charming room and
the woods roundabout were So cnchant-
ing she hated To stay out OF them,
She Was very grateful, hut Mrs Gray
must excuse her
1t was the same With all the rest,
Young or old found her II they found
elusive. She rode out every morning
ana drove every afternoon, always
alone excepr for staid llyeried groom,
The one thing vulnerable about her
was her clothes. Exquisite in choice,
make. I'll AMI material, they were MI So
very far from being In fashion. There
fore they bred theories. Nobody really
knew more OF Miss ARCHER than that
she had come 10 the Wrly house with