The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1919-09-05
THE COMPROMISE
BY GLADYS ?. ANDERSEN.

Mrs Adams glanced up from her
work. * was calling vivian, she
said
why. mother, I am Vivian" The
girl threw back her curly head and
aughed merrily. won't you ever be
able to tell US twins apart?"
II thought by the way you came In
through the door twas Virginia. She
always comes in like shot from
gun. Where have you girls been?"
"Down by the river The wind
blew so we did not hear you when
you first called"
"Well,' said Mrs. Adams, Miss
Emery has just been here and invit-
ed both of you girls to her musicale
next Wednesday evening.
She said 1t was going to be lust
grand. Professor West, who has lust
returned from France. is going to
sing. He is Sergeant West now. you
know"
you said she invited us both? p
Vivian gasped
Yes, dear, and am afraid you will
nave hard time deciding" her moth
err answered.
There's nothing to decide. It's Vir-
gin1a's turn. l went to the sociable
last month, you know. Oh how I
wish we had more than one best
dressl' she exclaimed passonately.
1t was not until "Wednesday morn
Ing that Vivian appeared to cheer up
somewhat. She had a consultation
with her mother, who interrupted
her by exclaiming, ut will never do.
or course there's DO harm In it. but
" you get into any trouble. don't
blame anyone but yourselves.
No one viii ever know about it,"
responded Vivian confidently.
It'll go down to the village now and
call at Mrs. Blake's. l know she VIII
be willing"
Mrs. Blake lived across from Miss
Emerys, and she received Vivian cor
daily.
That evening, Virginia, in her
pink silk muslin that belonged to her
and her sister Jointly, went timid]v
up the path leading to the Emery
home, feeling very happy.
Miss Emery, in beautiful brocaded
silk, was passing through the hall
when Virginia was shown In by the
butler
(which one Is it," she asked. I'm
sorry you both couldn't have some.
Virginia was placed where she could
see everyone who played or sang.
Then she gave herself up to enjoy
| ment. She watched Sergeant West
eagerly. 1t was only in dreams that
she had ever heard such tones.
Sergeant West saw her and met the
vivid glance OF her eyes.
He turned to his hostess and said.
Can that young lady sing?"
Indeed she can" answered Miss
Emery proudly.
The next moment Virginia felt a
hand on her shoulder. She looked
admiringly into Sergeant Vests face.
"Will you sing for me? he asked.
Il will play for you and you may
sing what you please. Are you will.
ing?"
I'll try" she answered shyly.
| 1t was nearly an hour later that
Sergeant West again remembered the
| girl.
Il want you to sing once more" he
said. Il have a plan. You have a
voice, and with teaching. you could
! become a singer. Perhaps l can ar
range to give you couple of hours
each week"
| I'm afraid ! am a bit timid" said
the girl, "but since you ask me will
try"
He was sorry for her as she stood
by the piano. Her face was very
white, and her lips almost stiff
'Have courage" said the singer
'You did so well before"
he accompaniment began bu
when an untutored, but rich contralt(
voice commenced the song there was
a sudden discord among the keys o.
the piano. and Sergeant West wheel
ed about and stared at the tremhlin,
girl beside him. "What does 1
meanT cried the artist.
1T cannot be possible that this CIR
has two distinct singing voices, on'
very high and the other very low"
The girl at whom everyone wa.
now looking, tried twice TO speak be
fore she could say word. Then sh,
stammered. II am the other lwir
II you please sir"
"You are not the one that SAM
frst?" he asked.
'No. sir, that was my sister. Vir
ginia. 1t was her turn with on
dress"
Vivian stammered. then was silent
One half-hour before, Virginia hat
slipped out unobserved and met he
sister at Mrs. Blake's. In their hurr.
in exchanging gowns, Virginia had no
told her sister she had been oblige'
to sing.
The next morning Sergeant Yves
returned to New York. While h
was waiting for his train. he saw twi
girls In plain Bingham gowns. hurry
ing down the road. 1t was Virgins