The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-01-31
A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS.

N" high note as abruptly ms
| XVX string that snaps beneath
| the bow and revolved with
the music stool to catch but her echoes
In the empty room. None had entered
behind her back. There was neither
sound nor shadow I'm the deep veranda
through the open door But for the
startled girl at the open piano Mrs
| Clarkson's sanctum was precisely ms
Mrs. Clarkson had left It an hour be
fore. Her own photograph In as many
modes beamed from the usual number
of ornamental frames; there was moth
ing whatever to confirm a wild sus.
picion Of the living lady's untimely re
turn. And yet either guilty conscience
or an ear as sensitive as Il was true
had heard an unmistakable step out.
side.
Hilda Bouverle lived to look magnifl.
cent when she sang, her fine frame
| drawn up to its last inch, her throat q
pillar Of pale coral, her mouth the per.
feet round, her teeth a noble relic OF
barbarlsm, but sweeter she never was
than In these days or at this moment
of them as she sat with lips just part.
ed and teeth just showing I'm a simple
summer frock Of her own unaided max.
ing. Her eyes, OF the one deep Tas.
manian blue, were still open very wide
but no longer with the same apprehen
sion, for a step there was, but step
that Jtngled, nor did they recognize the
silhouette In top boots which at length
stood bowling on the threshold.
please finish It," prayed a voice that
Miss Bouverle liked In her turn, but II
was too much at ease for one entirely
strange to her, and she rose with lit
tie embarrassment and no hesitation
at all.
Indeed, no! thought | had the
station to myself"
80 you had. have not seen a
soul"
Miss BOuverie instantly perceived
that honors were due from her.
81 am so sorry! You've come to see
Mr.. and Mrs. Clarkson?" she cried
"Mrs. Garrison has just left for Mel.
bourne with her maid, and Mr. Clark.
son has gone mastering with all his
men. But the Indian cook Is about
somewhere. I'll find him, and he shall
make some tea"
The visitor planted himself with
much gallantry in the doorway. He
was a man still young, with single
eyeglass and a martial attitude, which
combined to give distinction to n some
what Swarthv cOuntenancp
II didn't come to see either Mr.. or
Mrs. GARRISON" said he. ain fact.
never heard their names before was
passing the station, and | simply came
to see who 1t was who could sing like
that-to believe my own ears"
Miss BouYerie was thrilled. The
stranger spoke with an authority that
she OWNED, a sincerity which she in
stinctively took on trust.
you sing a good deal. of course"
he went on.
81 haven't sung for months"
He was now In the room The girl
stood before him with Il calm face,
more wlstful than lronic, yet with
hints of humOr in the dark blue eyes.
May l ask what you are doing In
these wilds?"
Certainly. l am Mrs. ClarksOn's
companion"
And you sing, for the first time In
months, the minute her back is turned.
HAS the lady no soul for muster"
you had better ask the lady"
And her Visible humor reached the
corners OF Miss BOuverie's mouth.
"She sings herself, perhaps?'
"And | am here to play her accom-
paniments"
"Can she singT"
'She has a voice"
But have you never let her hear
yours?"
"Once. | had not been here long
enough to know better. And made
my usual mistake"
"What is that?"
81 thought | had the station TO my
self"
The questiOner bowed to his rebuke.
II was told exactly what my voice
was like, and at for"
The gentleman turned ON his heel, as
though her appreciation OF the humor
Of her position were an annoyance to
him. His movement brought him face
to face with a Photographic galaxy
OF ladies' in varying styles Of evening
dress
as any OF these Mrs ClarksonT
"All OF them"
He muttered something beneath his
breath. "And what's this?' he asked
OF a sudden.
The young man flor as such Miss
BOuverie was beginning TO regard him
was standing under the flaming bill OF
d grand concert TO be given IN the
township OF Yallarook for the benefit
OF local charities.
"Oh. that's Mrs. ClarksOn's concert"
he was Informed "She has been get |
ting II up. aud that's why she's had 10 |
10 to Melbourne-about her dress. you
know"
He smiled sardOnically.
"Her charity begins near home"
1T need not necessarily end there"
yet she sings Ave times herself"
"frue-without the encores"
"And you don't sing at all"
But l accompany"
"A bitter ironyl But, / say, what's
thisf Under the distinguished patron.
age OF Sir Julian Crum. Mus. Doc.
DOL Who may he beY'
- Il