Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-06-06

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reward. A new joy filled his heart
with warm glow. Life began to take
a deep, new meaning. The boundaries
of the world had been extended to
include millions whose existence he
had ignored. How vast and thrilling
their life! AS yet, no new purpose
had shaped itself within, but his soul
was stirring within vague, mighty i'm
pulses.
When he reached the house on
Washington Square it was early in the
evening. He longed for the sweet
| restfulness which Harriet's presence
always brought. He had often come
home from a visit to Nan, which had
been a continuous torture, to find in
her a grateful peace. How strange
that we so often love those who have
the supreme faculty of torturing in
stead of making us happy. He found
Harriet reading in the library.
"Oh, Jim, dear, where on earth
have you been for nearly two days?"
she cried. II haven't seen you since
the wedding"
Won't you sing for me?" he broke
In.
A smile of pride made her face ra-
diant.
You want to hear me this late?"
| "Yes-you'll not disturb anybody"
"All right" she paused and sud-
denly clapped her hands. "Tll get my
mandolin. You've never heard me
play that, have you? I've learned
Way down on the Swannee Ribber' on
1t. know you'll like it."
She ran up the stairs and returned
in a moment with the mandolin. Soft
ly touching a note, she seated herself
and began to sing, accompanying her
song with the little half-doubtful
touch on the plaintive strings.
Stuart listened, entranced. He had
heard that old song Of the south
hundred times. But she was singing
it tonight with a strange new power.
Or was it his imagination? He listen
ed with keen and more critical ears.
No. It was not his imagination. The
change was in her voice. He heard
with increasing wonder. The quiver-
| ing notes of tenderness sought his In
most being and stirred the deepest
emotion-not with memories Of his
boyhood days in the south whose glory
and song was telling-but in visions OF
the future, thoughts of great deeds to
be done and heroic sacrifice to be en-
dured.
How selfish his life had been after
all. Every dream and struggle had
been for himself. A feeling of shame
overspread his soul as he watched
the girls soft little hand touch the
strings, and he contrasted his own life
with the sweetness of her spirit. In all
the years he had known her he could
not recall a single mean or selfish act.
Her face was not beautiful by the
standard of artists, but the sunlight
fingered in her eyes, her hands were
cunning, and her feet swift to serve
those she loved. For the last two
years as she had blossomed into maid
enhood, q subtle fragrance had envel-
oped her being, making significant and
charming all she said or did, reveal
ing new beauty and grace at every
turn.
From some shadowy memory OF a
Sundays service i'm his boyhood came
floating into his heart the words He
that seeketh to save his life shall lose
it."
The cropping hand that had been
fumbling in the dark suddenly touched
the hidden spring, and the darkened
soul was flooded with light A strange
peace entered to abide forever A
man had been born again Of the spirit,
not the flesh.
The rapt look still held his face
when the music had ceased, and Har-
riet watched his expression for mo-
ment in silence.
The girl leaned forward at last with
eager interest and laid her friendly
hand on his. She had trick of lean
ing forward like that when talking to
him that had always amused Stuart.
He watched the flashes of light in
her eyes beneath their long lashes and
the culver of the mobile mouth.
| Tell me what you are thinking
about, Jim?" she said, a smile fitting
around her tender, expressive eyes.
| Stuart noticed two dainty dimples
come with the smile in the faintest
suggestion of coquetry.
| II was seeing a vision, little pal"
he began slowly-"the vision of gala
night of Grand Opera. Broadway
blazed with light and l was fighting
my way through the throng at the en-
trance to hear a great singer whose
voice had begun to thrill the world.
At last amid a hush of intense silence,
she came before the footlights, saw and
conquered. The crowd went mad with
enthusiasm. For once an American
audience forgot it's cold self-posses-
sion. Men leaped on their seats,
cheered and shouted as Frenchmen or
Italians Women in resplendent gowns
and Jewels rose in their boxes and split
their gloves clapping their hands.
And through it all the singer stood
bowling in simple dignity, looking over
the sea of faces as if in search of one
she knew. lifted my hat and waved
| it on high until she saw. A beautiful
smile lighted her face and straight
over the heads of the people she blew
me a kiss"
The tiniest frown clouded the girls
brow.
who was she, JIM"
One who shall yet sing before Kings
and Princes-I call her Sunshine
her name is Harriet Woodman."
With q sigh Of relief she threw her
self back in the big armchair in a
pose of natural grace, her lips twitch-
ed, the golden head tipped to one side
thoughtfully. and he waited for her
| to speak.