The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-06-29
HER TRUE music,
The Surprise That Came After
the Lovers Were Engaged.
BY BETTlNA MAYHEM.
1903. by Associated Literar
Press


The parks thick turf had deadened
the sound Of the steps; hence the two
clerical looking gentlemen had OBJ
served at close range for some time
the girl In the swing before either of
them spoke.
For minute sensitive face, franz
ed by big hat, lifted, and a pair of
glowing black eyes Travelled with slow
deliberation from one to the other be-
fore she replied.
"The graystone. first turn to the
left"
Then she resumed her book. the
wide hat dropping so that the merest
outlines Of chin and neck peeped from
below the edge OF the brim.
"A pretty hat aud pretty girl" the
Rev. Paul Freyer meditated, "and a
picture worth remembering"
Two hours later from the landing of
the stairs his eyes fell upon the same
hat. entirely at home on the rack In
the Woodson hall. He knew it In
stantly. BY no chance could there be
two such hats. 1t was broad and low
crowned, mass of white peoples
with dark hearts-one Of those articles,
in fact, which proclaim with brazen
tongue the personality Of the wearer.
Perhaps the graystone, with its web
of dull green and gay red creepers
and it's more than full quota of hooks.
sunny and conspicuous or unexpected
and shadowy. had something to do
with the Rev. Paurs mood. At any
rate. before he stirred from the land
Ing the pretty girl In white. with the
glowing black eyes, had responded to
his Imagination by assuming the pro-
portions Of his ideal-a Portia, veri-
table Portia.
Who was she? The Rev. Paul de-
rived pleasurable shock from an In
spired guess. Who else. indeed, but
Ada, stepdaughter to his sister, Mrs.
Sara Woodson? Quite distinctly he re-
| called forgotten fact. There had been
at the time Of the marriage mention
made Of o child. That. Of course, was
years ago. She was now probably we'll
grown.
He had been In college then, after
ward travelling abroad. Returning, he
had immediately settled into pas
torate that hnd taxed bis powers to
| the uttermost and tired his very soul.
Sister and all else outside Of duty had
gone from him with an innperceptible
drift till the day dawned when be was
peremptorily ordered away for rest.
He had come protesting, lregretting.
and now-what If He laughed softly
| and sought his sister.
In the dining room. when he entered,
| the pretty girl, prettier than he had
thought, stood with her hand on the
back of q chair at the foot OF the table.
MY stepdaughter." Mrs. Woodson's
| smile was gracious aud sweet. Ada.
| my brother. the Rev. Paul Freyer. and
his assistant, the Rev. Dir. Condor.
Just think. Ada" she laughed gayly.
| "for the whole of the summer they
have nothing to do nor a thought or
wish but to amuse. That list we were
| preparing for our sumner reading
"Oh. Sara" Eager and bright the
| clear voice loated from the foot Of the
table I'VE must-we must first finish
that story of 'Slndbad the Sailor 1t Is
Alaupassant's very best. Maupassantr'
she reflected. Perhaps, now, it's Poe,
or maybe" and the big childish eyes
sought those in turn Of each present
"No; have 1t. It's Halifax. Am l
right? Sara. do set me straight"
Mrs. Woodson's hands dropped heavy
on her unfolded napkin. and the Rev.
| Paul's heart contracted to diIninutve
proportions. For him the golden bowl
was broken. the swift born hope Of an
hour traied in the dust. The-the hat
then, had not been
He sighed, and the sigh was-for the
smallness of the beautiful concrete and
for the greatness Of the beautiful abb
stract.
And Ada babbled joyously on, her
clear voice and soft laugh dominant
features Of the dinner hour. 1.-The
chatter Of a child" the Rev. Paul de-
cided. unconsciously talking down to
her. Afterward she fitted about the
rooms, never still. the quick tattoo of
her high heeled slippers quite as mu-
sical as her rendition Of famous con-
certo and disappearing early with a
pleasant good night.
"a charming young girl" ventured
Rev. Mr. Condor, and the Rev. Paul
REINFORCED the remark with: For all
| the world like white butterfly. Has
she never gone to school. Sara?'
But II Ada had not womanly races
and scholarship she possessed an ac-
complishment out Of the usual, CON
slant eruption Of small talk. No con-
| versa ton. serious or learned. could re
Sist It, Without thought SHE cleft it
| at blow. severing each thread past
hope of redemption.
"Tinkllng cymbals." the Rev. Paul
remarked one day, watching the fly
| ing, wbirlIEg white figure in pursuit
| Of butterflies in the occasional patches;
| Of sunshine among the great trees.
IT'S Il pay so exquisite creature
should be $3.50 You ou"ft to send
| her to school. Sara
Mrs. Wondsnn flushed t" tho little
curls on her forehead. ','au;. She
said. "you do Ada injustice. r. She
| stnnned. lauCllin. lightlY. as Ada hut-