Evening star., 1915-06-27

not ten people in the whole town who
have ever heard a really good voice
or would know one if they did hear
it. You wouldn't. now, would you.
Felix? You like to hear me sing, but
YOU don't know what it means-you
can't realize what lies behind my sing
ing Don't you see. Felix, | need SYM
pathy and atmosphere and training.
That's why I'm going to Berlin. OF
course. l shan't forget you dear peo-
pie here in Westmore--oh, no, never.
III come back and sing for you some
time. and then you'll see that l was
perfectly right in going away. And,
Felix. dear. when it comes right down
to our affair. you know some other
girl who can't sing will make you
just as good wife Why, you'n for
get all about me in two years time"
AS you'll forget me-" Felix inter-
rupted. We'll, Sophie. since it must
be, it must. God knows I'd put no
your hearts desire. But 1 cant help
loving you. And l always shall love
you." His voice broke and he tried to
cover the sound with a queer little
laugh. IT'S time l Went, Sophie
That's an early train you're going by
tomorrow morning, and You'll need
plenty of rest ! suppose. dear. the
next time | see you you'N be on the
stage at the opera house singing our
hearts away. You can do that now
=
it's too bad I'VE can't keep you. How
ever, weIl try to get along somehow"
Again that break Then he took her
hand and kissed it with great dignity.
lifted his hat, uttered goodbye, and
went
Sophie drew back behind the trumpet
vine and stood moment watching him
as he went slowly down the street.
1t seemed very queer to have Felix
thus walking out of her life forever.
as she had told him. a great trust. So
She swallowed the knot in her throat
and went in to where Mrs. Young, old
and f-t and the nearest relative that
she had in the whole wide world. sat
croraeting a tea coZy.
Good night, Cousin Ellen. I think
I'll so right up to bed" she said
Mrs. Young looked at her curiously
Sophie rather heavily mounted the
stairs
But Sophie did not go at once to bed.
Her window was open and she went
and knelt down at IL. looking out into
the still, white street. She was going
on a great adventure, but somehow
now that the hour had struck she
shrank back rather than pressed for
ward And she thought of Felix out
there in the moonlight somewhere.
with. his dear faithful heart as heavy
as lead.
For two hours or so next morning
there was a little hustle in Westmore,
which began at Mrs. Youngs and end
ed at the station, where several peo-
pie went to see the last of Sophie.
Felix was not there and Sophie had
not expected him. still she looked for
him until the train moved out.
So she went on her way to Berlin,
and Westmore was left to get along
as best it might without her and her
voice
She had gone to stay two years.
She had money enough to last that
time. And then she would come back
a great singer SO said Miss Baker,
the vocal teacher, who had urged her
to go. Afterward, when Mrs Young
chided her for this, Miss Baker said
that she had only done what Sophie
expected of her. and the girl really
ala have nice voice.
Letters came rather tardily from
sophie to Mrs. Young, to Miss Baker.
to Felix. and to three or four others.
They did not tell much. these letters.
beyond the fact that she was study
ing hard and boarding with German
family. Indeed, she had more to say
about the Riemers than about herself.
shes young and SO enthusiastic"
thought Mrs. Young.
After that once Sophie wrote no more
save, to Mrs. Young. and then only
briefly.
She hasn't the time. suppose"