Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1909-09-18


Faith Temple. I am an orphan.
III. teach French French and
singing in alrivate school. Every
summer / go away from the city
for a change-and all the rest
| I can absorb. I went to horrid
place Hast year-hot and
crowded and dear. / have a let
ter in my suit case from our prin.
cipal It will tell you who | am.
and I'd be very glad to pay in
advance if that will add to your
confidence in me. Do you think
you can ask me ing
The older woman had listened
to this hurried explanation with
an amused smile.
Do understand that you sing?
Yes.
Will you sing for me ?
Certainly.
The older lady took the girl in
to the pleasant parlor. A hand.
some upright piano stood at one
side of the apartment.
This was bought for my niece,
said the older lady. She is mar.
ried and lives abroad.
The girl seated herself at the
instrument and ran her fingers
along the keys with a smile of
approval. Then she sang a
sweet old ballad. Her voice was
a pure soprano, light but sym.
pathetic, and she used it with
much skill.
More, please, said the older
lady. and the girl sang again and
again, and then her audience was
increased by the stout figure of
the maid, who stood in the door.
way wondering, and who sud-
denly put her apron to her eyes
and ran away as the last sweet
strains Of Robin Adair filed the
room.
Then there was q little silence.
You may stay here if you think
you will like it, said the older
woman.
Thank you, thank you, cried
the girl. I'm sure like it,. But
wait, please. II must know
the price. Laura said in that let
ter that forgot something about
the price being s. a week without
any extras. There has been no
change in your rates, l hope?
There has been nc change, the
older woman replied, and she
smiled as she said it. And now
if that is satisfa Glory, I will show
you your room.
So Faith Temple began her So
journ at Maple Farm, and a de-
lightful sojourn it was. The re,
straint and narrowness of her
life was all forgotten. She romp.
ed about like a wild child. She
climbed trees and picked berries
and hunted eggs. And when
she quieted down she sat on
the great porch and read aloud to
the hostess or sang to her, and
talked in her vivacious way about
her experience in the great city.
And the two women were help.
full to each other. The girl ban.
ished the loneliness of the older
woman's life, and the gentle
sweetness of the older woman's
character softened and ennobled
the character Of the girl.
But where are your boarders ?
the girl inquired one day.
didn't advertise this year, re-
sponded the other lady With ner
quick smile.
That's avery unfortunate thing
for the boarders who don't come,
said the girl, but it's wonderfully
lucky for me. I'm just mean
enough to be glad they don't
know what they are missing.
Yet it doesn't seem right that l
should enjoy all these delights
alone.
The older woman shook her
head.
You can't beguiIe me into
charging any less than Sc a week,
she laughingly said.
The girl looked at the older
woman and her face suddenly |
sobered, and she put her arms
about her neck.
You are SO kind and good, she
murmured and there was a sus.
picious moisture in her eyes.
May | call you mother now and
then? You know I never knew
my own mother.
The older woman gently kissed
the upturned face.
You may call me mother if you
like, she said.
You don't think the boy will OBJ
ject s?