The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1915-04-16

yourself at home"
Thank you. Miss Cady,v quayered
Violet, for she was very near to
tears. Presently she arose and went
into the dim parlor She had learned
to play by ear and she had a sweet.
unframed voice There were go
many old songs that she knew by
heart, and as the melodies threaded
out from her fingers she sang softly
to their accompaniment.
Annie Laurie, Bonnie DOOM"
Tosti's .-Goodby," Loves Old Sweet
Song" as she sang the words cf
this last favorite love song Of several
generations Violet became aware that
other voices were added to her own.
Somehow, the dim room had mys-
teriously become populated with
shadowy forms. There was the reedy
treble of Miss TwitcheIl, the deep
bass of Doctor Coleman. the throaty
alto Of Mrs. Jones, and the rich bari
tone of Homer Dale. Miss Crotty, the
milliner, hummed like bee. and the
Bennets, husband and wife, sang all
off the key in no particular voices at
all
But they all enjoyed it and Violet
said never word. but when the
song was finished her fingers drifted
into the melody of "Siiver Threads
Among the Gold" and something in
the old song brought tears to many
eyes and it ended In Quavering sob
quickly stified by Miss Twitchell.
Then they were silent while Violet
sang THE Rosary" At the end Of the
first few bars Mr.. Dale's baritone
took up the song and together they
sang it through to the end.
Violet was trembling with happi-
ness when the piano was closed at
last and she went out to the porch
with her fellow boarders.
How animatedly they all talked:
Doctor Coleman. reminded Of his boy
hood, told witty stories; Miss Twitch-
ell confided half-forgotten love affair
that had to do with church choir in
which she had once sang; Mrs. Jones
had been reminded of lost little
one, and ever after that the listeners
treated the middle-aged widow with
tender Difference; Miss Crotty told Of
how she had always wanted to study
music, but there had been no money
and many mouths to feed and
millinery paid better wages
Homer Dale was silent; his eyes
never left yiolet's lovely face as
the girl, in return for the confidence
of these new-found friends, told the
sad story Of her loveless life. She
told it simply and straightforwardly-
my dear" Quavered Miss Twitch-
ell. at last. and she quite forgot to
scratch, you are wonderful girl
and l believe we are going to love
you-and hope you win forgive
me for what said on the stairs!"
Dear Miss Twitchell!" MUIR
INJURED Violet, as she impulsively
kissed the faded cheek SO near her
own.
Still Homer Dale said nothing.
The others chatted so fast that
they entirely forgot his presence.
When bedtime came Violet saw his
extended hand, and her own little
one was lost in its warm grasp.
Thank you. Miss Lane, for con-
fiding In US this evening" he said
gravely.
AS she prepared for bed a tender
smile curved her lips. IF these are
the bears and cats and geese of Sal
ly's story, must say that ! adore
the occupants of Miss Cady's Zoo! I
elieve-Tm- going to be very happy
-here!" And Violet drifted into
slumber
Sally Hecker faced her fellow
teachers with a tragic wave of her
hand toward Violet Lane, who was
walking home with Homer Dale.
@Girls, look!" she commanded
There goes the most successful ami
NAL trainer in the world-Violet Lane!
What is her record? Merely that she
has tanned Miss Cady's Zoo to man
-or bear! Miss Twitchell swears
by her-Miss Crotty worships her
Doctor Coleman growls her praises to
whoever will hsten-the drug clerk is
hopelessly in love with her-and Mrs.
Jones has offered to adopt her! What
can we do? The menagerie Is tanned
by little blue-eyed girl"
There is Homer Dale, the big,
brown. growly bear" reminded Miss
Fem, mischievously
ooh, he is the most cowed OF them
all" retorted Sally, brightly. In
fact, Violet is to lead him through
life with a chain of roses-fact. girls,
they are engaged, Isn't it lovely
that she is to have a real home and
real folks at last?"