Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1912-04-04

cept our own dinner tonight. Does
that content your"
will you come with me, and sing
them Christmas carols?"
why not?" She caught the infec-
ton of the thought gay!y. Il was to
sing tonight at some city; where was
it? My secretary knows-for five
thousand. What then? We will pour
the voice out to your day coach pill
grims, Hugh. l hope they will like
me-"
With her hand laid lightly on his
arm, she went ahead through the
train, and the word spread like fire.
The great singer would give her voice
as freely to them for their Christmas
eve as she gave from her larder to
feed them.
Hamilton never forgot the picture
she made as she stood in the aisle OF
each of the crowded coaches, head
lifted, lips smiling, singing old heart
songs and carols that left her audi
enceS in tears. And she enjoyed 1t as
the girl of ten years ago would have
uOhC, CFCiy Vi hCA pAOoASoo,
while the children reached to rub
their cheeks against her velvet gown
and the soft fur, and baby hands We're
lifted longingly toward her violets.
She wore no corsage bouquet by the
time they had returned to the private
car.
There in the cold vestibule they
faced each other. Hamilton knew
that fate had given him a second
chance after ten years.
Il thought there was only the soul
OF the artist left in you, Kit" he said,
gripping both her hands in his warm
grasp. II believed the years had
killed all sentiment in you, and here
you go with me and give your golden
voice to those poor devils. You never
looked so beautiful in your life as
when you lifted that baby in your
arms, the one that cried for your dia-
mond necklace. Do you know it, do
you?"
Il know that l have missed the
better part of life, Hugh. They say
a woman who gives her whole heart
to art can follow only the one master.
I used to believe that when | was a
girl, but no more. One cannot be a
great artist and interpret the emo
tions until one has suffered oneself,
has-loved, perhaps"
Love is not always suffering,
dear"
MOP" She smiled at him with
eyes filled with tears. 81 found it
so when l Weakened after years OF
work, and found you gone, and only
success to carry me on. found it
was most bitter suffering, Hugh
The fur cloak slipped back from
her throat as he held her in his arms,
kissing the full, perfect lips and ten
der eyes. There was a sudden COM
motion outside in the darkness,
shouts and waving of lanterns. The
train crew were returning with a re-
lief party. Somebody yelled that the
snow plow was pushing its way
through the drifts, and the train would
be moving in half an hour.
I'VE will reach Helena by day
light. Then" said Hamilton, 81 am
going straight through with you to
New York, and We will be married
there, before the new year. Does
that interfere with your engagements.
Kit?"
Madame Cesare laughed softly, and
gathered her cloak about her as she
preceded him into her car
Il shall never say it that way
again. Hereafter it shall be, do ny
engagements interfere with you,
Hugh?"
Better not" he flung back. IL
shall claim all the light of my star il
you do
when one has won star, is it not
his?" Cesare's eyes were proud and
happy as she answered him. Il have
had ten years of all the world can
piVa Nnu I acly MI