The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-01
THE EVENING STORY
Tho Voice Of Gold.
(BY Temple Bailey. }

MISS caroline DreW1tI ndu coilS
back to her settlement work in the
fall with determination to inspire
the surrounding neighborhood with
ideas that should lift them above the
level of the commonplace.
Last year I tried it with pictures
and flower study" she told the Rev.
Donald McGregor, land l can't say 1t
was a success. But this year am
going to try music"
The Rev. Donald peered at her with
kindly eyes through his nose glasses
He was a tall, spare, sandy-haired
man, a power in the pulpit, q friend
Of the people, and a firm believer In
Miss Caroline Drewitt.
IT am sure it would be great in
centive,'' he said. "It makes an ap-
peal to the Italians and the Germans,
though differently. But how will you
arrange it?"
GLORIA has promised to sing every
Wednesday night" Miss Caroline told
him, land Harold Cartwright on Fri
days. Gloria will give the Germans
Wagner and Harold will give the Ital-
ians Verdi, and now and then we will
mix the two and have a grand con-
cert"
McGregor nodded.
ut is a great idea," he said, land
you can supplement it with children's
classes
"Yes,' Miss Caroline planned, 81
shall conduct those myself I cant
sing, but I know the theory. I some
to impress my people Without I
must make the best of my practical
accomplishments.
81 am sure we could not wish you
other than you are" was the Rev.
Donald's tribute, and Miss Drewitt
blushed prettily and went away with
bouyancy of carriage that made her
seem almost youthful.
Hes such a help" she told Gloria
that night, Sin my work"
Gloria, brushing her masses of red
gold hair, yawned q little.
II don't see why you bother your
self with a lot Of people who don't
care to be uplifted. Aunt Caro-" she
said, with your money you might be
seeing Europe and making break in
to society,"
Society palled many years ago, my
DEAR" said Miss Caroline, land some
Of my. people love me. which is a
great deal"
Everybody loves you," Gloria said.
impulsively. as she leaned over her
aunt and kissed her, land I am even
beginning to believe that the Rev.
Donald is smftten--"
Gloria" Miss Caroline's eyes blaz-
ed, don't say such thing again. To
speak of him that way-as If he were
an ordinary man."
well. extraordinary men fall in
love sometimes said Gloria wisely,
they are all alike when it comes to
love-"
"Dr. McGregor, If he ever marries."
said humble Miss Caroline, will
choose a woman of talents and beauty
such a woman as you will be some
day, Gloria"
Gloria threw up her hands
Me-" she gasped. why, I am
going to sing-and the man I love
must sing. and we are going to sail
away on sea OF romance don't
like dark alleys and tenements."
Then as she saw the look on her
aunt's face, she went on, But he is
good enough for anybody, Aunt Caro-,
and I like him immensely"
And he likes you," said Miss Caro-
line.
1t was this conversation, combined
with Miss Caroline's insistent spirit of
self sacrifice, that set the little lady a
scheming. OF all women in the world,
she loved Gloria Best Unacknowl-
was her love for the Rev. Donald Nc
Grcgor. And what more fitting than
that she should bring these two to-
gether in a happy union? Gloria
that belonged in his life, and he. in
turn. would wean Gloria from the
selnshness Of her point Of view. and
would uplife her with himself.
And so it happened that every We'd
Gregor found himself asked to meet
with Miss Caroline's social club. and
later he walked home with Miss Caro-
line and Gloria.
1t was during these evenings that
Miss Caroline suffered the pangs OF
martyrdom, as her niece, with won
derful beauty and art. held the little
eroMd of Eown RsH humanity
seemed spelbound with the rest. and
now that Miss Caroline had brought
about that which she craved. she felt
that the sacrifice was to great. If the
minister loved Gloria, he would soon
cease to be her friend, and how could
she live without the support Of that
friendship?
The little woman grew pale and
quiet, and, turning more and more to
the humble people about her, was
drawn into their lives, so that she be-
came mother-confessor to more than
one who, in sickness or in health
leaned on her wisdom, her common
sense, her sympathy.
You are a wonder" the Rev. DON
aid told her one morning as she asked
his advice with regard to a pair Of
Italian lovers.
"Tessa's parents want her to marry
a richer man. she said. "but am
going to see that she marries Rafael.
They love each other, and that is
enough
mindedly, that is enough"
His preoccupatton seemed to sepa-
rate him finally from Miss Caroline.
"I-I am going now" she said
hastily. 81 shall expect you Friday
night. Harold Cartwright will be
there-and-GIoria. And all of our
Germans and Italians. I want you to
make a little address"
what are you going to do?" he
asked her suddenly.
TT" Miss Caroline stared. "Oh,
I shall sit in the audience and ap.
plaud."
you won't do anything of the
kind" he said with decision. "You
are going to precede my speech with
little talk about the children ana
the children's music. No one can do
1t as you can"
ooh Miss CaroIfpepS farn uaS