The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1915-09-03
~

ory Of it out Of my head"
Viola rose.
at seems terribly warm in hero" she re-
marked.
Oswald rose also a.,
at will be cooler in the conservatory" nd
suggested, offering her his arm, and together
they passed out into the dimy lighted con-
servatory. Oswald found pretty little ar.
bor-hidden seat away among tho tall fronda
Uf the overhanging palms.
For moment there was silence broken
by Viola.
~ suppose the girl puzzled youi" she ask
ed abruptly.
Oswald looked down at her in some sur
price.
"Wel yes" he admitted .'But did not
think so much Of that didn't want to lose
sight Of her"
Viola opened her eyes.
GLOW very romantic, she exclaimed
Oswald bit his lip
"There was no disgrace in what she did,"
he affirmed boldly. "a street singer may
be lust as pure as prima donna She was
Viola blushed prettily, then she drew soma
thing from the bosom Of her dress and hand
ed it to him. Oswald Chesney took 1t from
her and turned it over. An exclamation of
astonishment escaped him as he read the
name inscribed on it
"Where did you get thisi' he demanded.
"It's one Of my old cardsl'
Viola dropped her eyes
az / confess" she asked demurely, twill
you promise not to divulge the truthf'
Oswald nodded
eyes" he agreed "But tell me, In heav-
ems name, tell mel Surely-ohl it can't be,
1t can't be.
Viola laughed merrily.
at was," she said deliberately "Listen
and II tell II to you"
She paused for moment and then pro-
ceeded.
ave we're all sitting together one evening
waiting to 20 on. There were four other girls
besides myself, and the conversation turned
on the characters we had TO represent In an
opera we were TO perform. One Of the soenea
in the opera necessitated my appehrance as
street singer. One Of the girls, rather az
fected little thing, was holding forth upon the
terrible nature Of street music work, and at
last 80 heated was that cried Indignantly,
I'm 20 through any street in London You care
to name and sing as Co. VIII that convince
you that see no shame or disgrace In the
act ITSELF"
"At this the girls clapped their hands. I
was Younger then and could not see that some
of my elder companions were amusing them
selves at my expense. 30 / went and-and
met you"
She stopped and there was long pause.
Presently Oswald looked down at her.
"And the sovereign" he asked quietly.
Viola laughed.
at dropped it into your breast pocket"
she confessed. And then suddenly her mood
changed. "Ohl" she said, her blue eyes fill
ing with sudden tears, how splendid, how
noble you were that night to give away the
lust gold coin that was left to you In all the
wide world, and for a poor, unknown girl
singer in the streetsl have never forgotten
the counsel you gave me. Would TO God all
the world we're as true and kind as you 1t
was wild and reckless piece Of folly, but
have always been grateful for the experience.
Time and again it has comforted me when the
world seemed empty and hollow. And-and
] hope the memory will live as long as tho
song / sang"
Oswald put his hand upon one Of hers.
live. Strange and ncomprehensible as It may
seem. nv heart went out to you that night in
the dark and deserted street. have never
thought Of you since save with feeling Of
unrest. / know the truth now. ! love you
dearly, love you with all my heart and soul
and strength. Let us take that dear old song
for our watchword, For All Eternity
Thou reignest in my heart my own.
In life and death love thee"
Viola was trembling but she did not resist
when he drew her towards him and smoothed
back tho fragrant coils Of her wavy golden
hair.
AS o.