Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1908-06-05
The Voice
Of Gold.
BY TEMPLE BAILEY.


Miss Caroline Drewitt had come back
10 her settlement work in the fall with
a determination 10 inspire the sur
rounding neighborhood with IDEAS that
should lift them above the level Of the
commonplace.
"Last year l tried 1t with pictures
and flower study" she told the Rev.
Donald McGregor, "and can't say It
was a success. But this year am 60
ing to try music"
The Rev. Donald peered at her with
kindly eyes through his nose glasses.
He was tall, spare, sandy haired
man. power in the pulpit, friend
Of the people and firm believer in
Miss Caroline Drewitt.
~ am sure 1t would be great In
centive," he said ut makes an APP
peal to the Italians and the Germans.
though differently. But how will you
arrange itP'
"Gloria has promised to sing every
Wednesday night" Miss Caroline told
him, land Harold Cartwright on Fri
uuyS. VIII HANO thC NOAhuAp
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.
at is n great idea," he said, "and you
can supplement 1t with children's
classes"
Eyes," Miss Caroline planned, II shall
conduct those myself. can't sing,
but I know the theory. sometimes
wish had more snowy talents to i'm
press my people with. but must make
the best of my practical accomplish
ments."
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
a buoyancy OF carriage that made her
seem almost youthful.
"He's such help" she told Gloria
that night, '1n my work"
Gloria, brushing her masses of red
gold hair, yawned n little.
81 don't see why you bother yourself
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 into so
ciety."
"Soclety palled many years ago, my
dear" said Miss Caroline. "and some
of my people love me, which IL great
deal"
Everybody loves you," Gloria said
impulsively as she leaned over her
aunt and kissed her, land l am even
beginning to believe that the Rev. Don
aid is smitten"-
"Gloriaw Miss Carollne'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 1t comes to love"
"Dr McGregor, II he ever marries,"
said humble Miss Caroline, will
choose woman of talents and beauty
such q woman as you will be some
day, Gloria"
Gloria threw up her hands.
"Mer she gasped. why, | am go
Ing to sing and the man love must
sing, and we are going to sail away on
a sea OF romance. | don't like dark
alleys and tenements."
Then as she saw the look on her
aunts face she went on, But he is
good enough for anybody, Aunt Caro-,
and 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-schemlng. OF all women I'm the
world, she loved Gloria best. Unac-
knOwledged. but coloring her whole
+ life, was her love for the Rev. Donald
McGregor And what more fitting
than that she should bring these two
together In happy union? Gloria
would give the minister the brightness
that belonged In his life, and he In turn
would wean Gloria from the selfish
ness Of her point Of view and would
upllft her with himself.
And so 1t happened that every
Wednesday night the Rev. Donald Nc
Gregor found himself asked to meet
with Miss Caroline's social club. and
later he walked home with Miss Caro-
line and Gloria.
II was during these evenings that
Miss Caroline suffered the pangs Of
martyrdom as her niece with wonder
full beauty and art held the little crowd
Of downtrodden humanity spellbound.
The Rev. Mr.. McGregor seemed spell
bound with the rest, and now that
Miss Caroline had brought about that
which she craved she felt that the
sacrifice was too great. II the minis
ter loved Gloria, he would soon cease
to be her friend. And how could she
live without the support Of that friend
ship?
The little woman grew pale and
quiet and, turning more and more to
the humble people about her, was
drawn into their lives, 80 that she be-
came mother confessor to more than
one who in sickness or in health lean
ed 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 il
enough"
"Yes," the minister agreed absent
mindedly that is enough"