The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-09-06
AM ANTIQUE.


 ny MARTHA McCULLOCH-WILiAM
 .Did ybu ever? That bonnet was ald fashioned when Noah went mto fine Ark" Miss Althea Evans saiu nodding toward the new girl Tn the choir. ,,,ai
 Isabella Strange, her ctum and riVai in Eastwood society, giggled anu an swered loud enough for the new sni . to hear. You are shockingiy ignor ant Ieathy. Don't you know there are people who take pride in their an tiques?'' a,r,
 fnvolunteriiy it seemed the new giri ,,,,t her hand up to the plume Which drooped to touch masses Of priShL waving hair. The plume was noe Misunderstanding indeed apoet 'n hat showed a touch of wear Bnt IL -,as at feast three seasons behind the styie-also very becoming to tne "Sas er She was slim and tall, with sher- rxs wine eyes and creamy, rost tnteo enn,ntaxion. In the lips the roses burned 10 clear scarlet, and there was an adorable dimple lurking al one sAue Dark brows, delicately arched' gave an . accent to the face--an accent repea.s by the gold lights ot tne nlatned na brown hair. Thus nature expiaineu inc situatton A girl who looked tha' wav could afford to be old fashloneo' and two other girls, enormously sty aish. hut with no looks to boast, eouiu not help but be III natured-
 Benson, the choir leader, thin man, perpetualIy scowling, but wholiy through near sight, wheeled s.tay it, upon AIthea, and said; Ihe solo Have you practiced it as you promised Let's try 1t first thing. -
 Althea turned her back 10 mn .sPigl Does he think l mean to waste my sfngingT' she whispered louny :" isabella Over her shoulder she auo- ed languidly: "Mr. Benson--fn slhs my solo Sunday after next: soIhe- acme friends of mine," significant en- phasis on the friends, are comlns specially to hear me. Until then you must make out with-the rest
 "As you will, Miss Evans" Benson said, a flush creeping ID to his sal low cheek But you promised i- depended on the promise. And It IS much to me that the music shall oe even"
 T dare say-but l shan't sing ex- capt when I feel like it, Aithea saio with touch of insolence.
 Her father was head of the yestrS, and she thought she knew Benson dared not resent anything she might do
 It took her breath to have him say firmly: Tn that case-1you are quite useless. Music. a great gift, great blessing, does not come without work If you will not work unsparfnsiy you will hinder. rather than help. You should work-for your own sake. You have voice.-oh, yesl But 1t needs heart in it. Unless you grow to love the work you will never get the heart Your singing will be-what you say-dub!- like street piano that one may play with crank"
 Really! This-this Is beyond en- durance," Althea begun.
 Isabella laughed low and unpleasant ly, and put her hand over Althea lips. Then she called to the choir mas ter, who had moved little way off: ssWhy don't you try Miss Archerr noddin9 toward the new girl. I'm sure she looks musical-she may be an artiste.'
 Miss Archer smiled daintily saying: "Oh thank you. I should like to sinS' I love it--and have been silent ever since I came--the walls are so thin at Mrs. Wray's, and should so hate 10 disturb any one"
 "Youi What will you care forT' Benson 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 Corona tion,'"
 I bish," Althea said. marching toward the door.
 Isabella followed her, but paused. her hand on the knob to say with a giggle, as though speaking to some one still in the room: you'd better nut up a sign outside: Antiques to be seen and heard here"" Then she ran down the steps laughing loudly, and as she overlook Althea, caught her arm. shook her galy and said: l think we have settled Miss Archer. If she has any sense at all she won come again-after this"
 whether or no Miss Archer had sense, she certainly had voice. She also-and this was the crown of poor Bensons joy-knew mighty well how to use 1t. She was withal modest and bidable, 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- ciai opportunities as they came.
 .Mrs. Judge Gray called the very ffst Sunday afternoons thing she had never been known to do before She asked Miss Archer to tea-also to