The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1913-02-13

nary, her fayorite recitation, when
real applause sounded from the
shadow of a big oak, and CHEEKY
voice called out: Bravo! bravo, o,
that's splendid"
The elocutionist overcome with
surprise, stood gazing into the face
of strange. though beautiful, kindly
lady.
Are you really a fairy" she gasp
ed at last.
mo, my dear; far from It," the
lady laughed; but I've just been
wondering IL you were a fair sprite
of the highland woodland, and, real
ly, you must pardon my seeming
rudeness. My husband and l drove
over here from the ridge, where
we're stopping at the new hotel. We
wanted to get away into the wood for
a quiet picnic luncheon, and we chose
this spot down here In the glade.
While | was getting the lunch cloth
out of the hamper, and he was taking
I'd look for some flowers with which
to decorate our picnic table, and, as
| wandered in this direction, / was at
tracted by your voice, so | stopped to
listen, and | heard one of the most
charming readings that it's ever been
my privilege to listen to"
20, did you like it SO well?" Nellie
almost gasped with delight. 1--WE
been practicing all summer just be-
fore the flowers and trees, and I'm SO
glad that 1T sounds all right to you.
No, I'm not sprite of the woods"
she added, laughingly. I'm living
here in funny little bungalow house
in the heart of the wood, which is
our temporary home, while my father
is regaining his strength from a long
illness. His physicians said he must
have mountain air, and absolute free
dom from the world, and we found
both here. Of course, l disliked to
give up my work, SO | determined to
carry it on, regardless of teacher or
audience"
Then, maybe, you wouldn't mind
helping me out of difficulty. We're
arranging a grand concert over at the
hotel for next Friday evening. Our
elocutionist was called home, and our
program is incomplete. Won't you
please take her place? You could do
it so capably," the lady asked with
such evident earnestness that Nellie
did not allow herself to hesitate be-
cause of embarrassment.
20, yes; I've heard about your con-
cert, and I'd like so much to come
and take part, but it's ten miles from
here, you know, and we've no convey
ance. We have to rent farmers
wagon to go to and from the station,
but it's only very seldom that a con-
veyance can be secured in any way
"Then, we'll come for you Friday
afternoon, and you will go and spend
the night with me at the hotel the
lady quickly suggested; but, first,
come share our picnic lunch, and let's
talk the matter over"
Almost beside herself with pleas
ure over this delightful prospect, this
unlooked-for event in her remote
world, Nellie followed her new friend
down the glade to the spring, where
the picnic lunch was spread. The
picnickers had very merry time.
They forgot all about being strang-
ers. Who can be strangers at a coy
little picnic party in the heart of the
wood upon a summers day, with a
clear spring gurgling at ones feet and
the sweet breath of wild flowers
everywhere? In the early afternoon
the hotel folk started home, and Mel
lie, having promised to be ready early
on Friday, ran back up the hill to the
bungalow to relate the good news to
Sue.
well, Nell, l reckon you were right
about keeping up your work" said
Sue, thoughtfully, when she had
heard her sisters good news. ut
seems to have proven worth while to
you"
Yes Nellie replied, happily; ''it
has always proven worth while. -
Kind Words.