The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1907-01-29
An Antique
By MARTHA
MCULLOCHwILLIAMS
Copyright, 1905, by P. c. Eastment

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.
J 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 way
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 a 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,
delicately arched, gave an accent to the
f; 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 be i'll ma
tured
Benson, the choir leader, a thin man.
! perpetually scowling, but wholly
through near sight. wheeled stifly upon
Althea and said: The solo? Have you
practiced it % you promised? Let's try
it first thing"
Althea turned her back to him. Pig!
| Does he think l 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. Until then you must make out
with-the rest"
"As you will, Miss Evans Benson
said, Il flush creeping up to his sallow
cheek. But you promised. depend
me that the music shall be even.'
Il dare say, but shan't Sing except
when feel like it," Althea said, wifi
a touch of insolence.
Her father was head of the vestry
and she thought she knew Benson dared
not resent anything she might do.
It took her breath to have him say
firmly: I'm that case you are quite use
less. Music, 4 great gift, great bless
ing, does not come without work. If
you will not work unsparingly 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 wilisbe-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
~ and put her hand over Altheas 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. Pm sure she
looks musical-She may be an artist"
Miss Archer smiled daintily, saying:
ooh, thank you. 1 should like to sing.
L love it and have been silent ever
since l came-the walls are SO thin at
Mrs. Wray's, and l 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 or Coronation
I'm going. I 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
gigglc. as though speaking to some
one still in the room: you'd better put
UP ii sign outside. Antiques to BE Seen
aud Heard Here" Then she ran down
the steps laughing loudly, and as she
overlook Althea caught her arm shook
her gayly and said: Il think VIC have
settled Miss Archer II 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 we'll how to
use 1t. She WAS withal modest and
biddable. giving herself no airs what
ever, albeit two Sundays Of her solos
had suriced to crowd the church. She
kept much to herself and, although
frank and friendly enough, put by So
cisl opportunities as they came.