The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-06-17
"wHo ARE You2'' THE GIRL REPEAT.
ED. "TELL Me pLEAsE?n SHE LOOK
ED EARNESTLY, cUR1ouslY AT
MRS. SANDERS.

70 NJ tue Tiny form. MADE tour of the
grounds, going into childish ecstasies
over their great beauty. Romped like q
child, with Brave, and Jocko, and when
tired, dropped on the grass at Elba Is
feet to study her face, and try to re-
member where she had seen her. Despite
the laughing assurances Of her hostess,
that it was only fancy, the girl chung
to the belief that she was not look
ing upon the beautiful face for the first
time.
With the dawn Of new day, Elba' .
new born hopes, and plans for reform
did not vanish, as she half feared. On
the contrary, she was more enthusiastic
A beautiful wild rose color had sup
planted the pallor Of her face. Her
eyes glowed with light not seen there
for years. She was thoroughly aroused.
She felt that crisis in her life had ar
rived. She felt that in the tangled web
of life there could yet be woven some
bright strands, if she handled the shut
tie deftly, she was eager to take up the
thread, dropped SO long ago. She felt
that God had work for her which she
was anxious to begin. AS soon as her
guest was gone she would make the mi
tial move.
In Elba Z mind, with every thought,
every new resolve, Brent Lawrence was
Without him, she could do
nothing. She would find him, and tell
him how she had wronged him, and her
sell. Her heart sank at thought Of his
possible marriage, but she would not per
nit herself to accept the belief.
Are you fond of music?" Elba ask
ed the little creole, leading the way in
to the parlors.
" Yes, it is my life, or was until, well,
until something else came into it, The
girl picked up a guitar, walked to the
window, and sat down on the broad
ledge. Leaning on the piano, Elba watch
ed her. For moment she fingered the
strings, then, as though unconscious Of
the presence Of another just as bird
would, she began to sing.
Elba was fair judge Of music, and
had heard many noted singers, but she
was startled when she heard the voice of
the creole maiden. Unconsciously she
clasped her hands and leaned forward in
an ecstacy of delight. Never had she
heard any thing to equal it.
Aunt Delby paused in her duties in
the dining room, and listened, then, al
if charmed, moved slowly in the direc-
ton Of the parlor. Outside the door,
she listened in astonished silence.
ssGreat Gawd, /" she whispered, "dat
chile sho ken sing. She sings
lax er angel, but dars sump-
in ongawdly bout it. Mebby
she 8 er los angel. Ugh! 1t meks my
flesh creep, but it's sweet all de same. I"
For moment after the song. was fin
ishcd, Elba was silent. She was SO as
tonished, and so delighted, she could
find no words to express her feelings.
The singer laid the guitar on the win
dow scat, and went over to where her
hostess stood. Putting her arms about
the slender waist, she smiled up into
Elba's face, and asked childishly,
Didn't you like .its''
"Like it9' Elba drew long breath,
almost sigh cit was heavenly. / new
err heard any thing like it off the stage.
Who would have guessed that voice SO
wonderful was imprisoned in this little
body. Child, where did you get itf''
Elba s tone was low and serious, on her
face was an expression Of awe.
From my mother, she was one OF the
sweetest song birds. the Old World ever
knew. Guardy heard her sing. He says
ii made him think what Heaven must
be like. Do you know, | trained my
voice with the intention Of taking up hei