The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-11-29

Did you ever? That bonnet was old
fashioned when Noah went into the
ark" Miss Althea Evans said. nodding
toward the new girl in the choir.
Isabella Strange, her chum and rival
in Eastwood society. giggled and an
swered loud enough for the new girl to
hear; "You are shockingly ignorant,
Leathy. Don't you know there are
people who take pride in their an
tiques"
Involuntarily. it seemed. the new girl
put her hand up to the plume which
dropped to touch masses of bright wav-
ing hair. The plume was not draggled;
nothing indeed, about the hat showed
a touch of wear. But it was at least
three seasons behind the style, also
very becoming to the wearer. She was
slim and tall, with sherry wine eyes
and creamy, rose tinted complexion.
In the lips the roses burned to clear
scarlet, and there was an adorable dim
pie lurking at one side. Dark brows,
dellcately arched, gave an accent to the
face, an accent repeated by the gold
lights of the abundant brown hair.
Thus nature explained the situation. 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 he Ill na-
tured.
Benson, the choir leader, thin man.
perpetually scowllng, but wholly
through near sight, wheeled stnly upon
Althea and said: THE solo? Have you
practiced it as you promised? Let's try
1t first thing"
Althea 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
guid.y: Mr.. Benson, III sing my solo
Sunday after next. Some-some friends
Of mine,' significant emphasis on the
friends, ARE coming specially to hear
me- Until 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
me that the music shall be even."
81 dare say, but | shan't sing except
when | feel like it," Althea said, with
a touch of insolence.
Her father was head of the vestry,
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 quite use
off a
ing, does not come without work. If
you will not work unsparlngly 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
a street piano that one may play with
q crank
Really, thls--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 little way off: "Why
don't you try Miss Archer?" nodding
toward the new girl. I'm sure she
looks muslcal-she may be an artist"
Miss Archer smiled daintily, saying:
"Oh. thank you. | should like to sing.
l 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 forY' 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 or Coronation
I'm going. l hate all that old rub
bish," Althea said, marching toward
the door.
Isabella followed her, but paused,
her hand on the knob to say with a
glggle, as though speaking to some
one still in the room: You'd better put
up sign outside, Antiques to Be Seen
and Heard Here"" Then she ran down
the steps laughing loudly, and as she
overlook Althea caught Der arm, shook
her gayly and said: II 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 voice. She also
and this WAS the crown of poor Ben
sons joy-knew mighty well how to
use 1t. She was withal modest and
biddable giving herself no airs what
ever, albeit two Sundays Of her solos
had sufficed to crowd the church. She
kept much to herself and, although
frank and friendly enough, put by So
cial opportunities as they came.
Mrs. Judge Gray called the very first
Sunday afternoon thing she had new
or been known to 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 be begulled.
Besides, she had a charming room, and
the woods roundabout were so enchant-
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