The Washington herald., 1909-05-23
CONTINUED FROM LAST sunday
CHAPTER VIII.
(Continued9


Then, standing Immediately behind her
husbands chair. mischievous light
danced IL Lucy's eyes. She extended her
hand and roguishIy pretended TO brush
the back Of the minister's head At this
there was a roar OF laughter. and he
turned round inQuiringly. But his wife
was IN the act OF closely scrutinizing the
silver work. and her look was as inno-
cent as any chiId's.
She stepped 10 the front beside her hus-
band and began her lOng-thought-out
speech. Ny husband and she laid a
hand on his tshoulder-''ny husband has
kindly offered TO reply for me. but 1t
would be a shame 10 load his shoulders
with burdens not his own. wouldn't It,
dear2' and she bent over him
It was done with such inimitable sweet
ness and delicacy that she fairly charmed
the audience, although there were a few
who thought that she was a bold, brazen
huzzy and would come TO no good These
were those who had never sunk so low as
10 call their husbands dear" until after
they were gone forever
The minister looked a little troubled
but it did not seem 10 affect her spirits
even q little II cannot make speeches, ="
she said softly. but instead would Ike
20 sing 10 you and she moved over 10
the piano.
She ran her hands over the jingling
keys and played snatches Of opera as her
fancy wiIled Then. imperceptibly. she
glided into Home. sweet Home" and in
a moment the church was filed with the
beautiful melody:
Mid pleasures and palaces though ve nay rDam.
Be i ever 50 humble thsTe's 10 Place bks home.
As the first words rang out clear there
was hush over the church, and more
than one furtively brushed the tear from
his eye
As she rose from her chair storm OF
applause broke out. unrsstrained. feTvid-
There was a tramping Of feet and much
clapping Of hands. and, Il IS 10 be record
ed, not e little Whistling and some shouts
from the back seats. She stood facing
the audience. and at last there was quiet
ness, but not before she had waved he-
hand many times IN token Of her desire.
She was about 10 speak when the old
chairman staggered 10 his feet, and there
was a suspicion Of a tear IN his rheumy
eye
Ladies and gentlemen he said IN q
ouivering voice. when We came into this
place We did not expect 10 hear the ike
O. that Il seems TO me that this is the
first time I have really heard Home,
Sweet Home an I don't think itu ever
fade frae my memory, or frae yours
ayther In the name O. the audience I
wad ask you-I waG beg you, Mistress
Rutherfurd - 10 favor Us WI anither
sang
There was & renewed outburst OF sp-
plaUse al this and she could not but once
more sit down AT the piano What shall
7 sing2'' she said TO herself, and it was
plain that she was much excited She
pursed her rosy lips and knit her brow,
what time her fingers flashed over the
noisy keys. Then, looking Up, she sud
denly dashed into the song OF the dement,
81 bride, oh. Gioja, che 81 senti."
She had only sung a few bars OF the
wonderful aria when she glanced at her
husbands face II was white and strick-
en, and a look Of dumb Teproach giistened
IN his eyes. IN a moment she stopped
her song and, turning 70 the audience
now sitting IN breathlesS quiet, she said:
I'm afraid II cannot sing that beauti-
ful song What shall sing7 The first
this dear old church We sang a hymn
which has been my favOTite ever since.
Shall sing you that?' and she began, in
her wonderful soprano voice:
Jesus. lover q NJ s1ul
Let ne % Thy bosom fy-
And the look in her husbands eyes
filed her heart with a great joy.
II was the climax OF night long 10 be
remembered IN the district. and at the
close Of the song the old chairman, with
rare tact born Of long experience. said IN
a low, shaky voice: and now III Just
ask our dear pastor TO pronounce the
benediCion."
Man. Sandy. thon was singingl" said
Alick Arneil as he trudged home In the
moonlight
AYE, man Alick," said his companion.
she hadna' sung q line O. Home. Sweet
Home till I felt a lump IN my throat, an
7 could hae fairly cried cot. It made me
that queer"
But I'm thinkin' the minister hasna'
his s0rrows 10 seek. When she broke oot
intil that italian song saw his face as
II he had a tOOthache yank-yankin' in his
Jaw There's trouble in store for the puir
man. or my names 10 Alick ArneI."