The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1919-09-18

THE COMPROMISE
sy GLADYS p. ANDERSEN.


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/ Mrs. Adams WAS making prepara-
! tons for the noon meal when the door
opened quickly and girl about six
teen rushed in. quite 6nt Of breath.
I'm here at last. mother"
Mrs. Adams glanced up from her
work. II was calling Vivian" she
said.
"Why. mother. I am Vivian" The
| girl threw back her curly head aud
laAshad merriiy. Wont you ever be
ssse to tell US twins spsrtr
II thought by the way you came ia
through the door twas Virginia. She
always comes in like shot from =
gun. Where have you girls beehr
Down by the river. The wind
blew so We did not hear you when
you srst called"
Well" said Mrs. Adams, Miss
Emery has just been here and invit-
ed both Of Won girls TO her musicale
next Wednesday evening.
"She said |. was going to be just
grand. Professor West. who has just
returned from Frsate, is going to
sing. He Is Sergeant West now. yon
know"
You said. she invited US BOTH"
Vivian gaSped.
Yes dear. aud AIN afraid you will
have hard time deciding" her moth
er answered
There's nothing to decide, It's vir-
ginia'S turn. | went TO the sociable
last raonth, you know. Oh. how I
wish we had more than one best
Dress" she exclaimed passionately.
1t WAS not until Wednesday morn.
ing that Vivian appeared to cheer up
somewhat. She had consultation
with her mother. who interrupted
her by e1claiming. ut will never do!
or course there's no harm in 1t. bat
If you get into any trouble, don't
blame anyone but yourselves.
"No one .wnl ever know about IT,"
responded Vivian confidently.
"IlI 60 down to the village now and
call at Mrs. Blake's. know she will
be willing"
Mrs. Blake lived across from Miss
Emery's. and she received Vivian cor
daily
! That evening, Virginia. in her
pink silk muslin that belonged to her
and her sister Jointly, went timidly
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
admirinEiy into Sergeant Vests face.
"Wil you sing for mey' he asked.
II will .plsy for you and you may
sing what you please. Are you will
ingr
"T1l 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. II have a plan. You have a
voice, and with teaching, you could
become a singer. Perhaps I can ar
range to give you a couple OF hours
each week"
I'm afraid I am a bit timid," said
the girl. but since you ask me I VIII
Try"
4 he was sorry for her as she stood
4 by the piano. Her face was very
4 white, and her lips almost stiff
Il Have courage" said the singer
You did 50 well before"
The accompaniment began; but
when an untutored. but rich contralto
voice commenced the song there was
a sudden discord among the keys Of
the piano. and Sergeant West wheel
ed about and stared at the trembling
girl beside him. "What does It
mean% cried the artist.
1T cannot be possible that this girl
has two distinct singing voices. one
very high and the other very low"
The girl at whom everyone was
now looking, tried twice to speak be-
fore she could say word. Then she
stammered. IL am the other twin
II you please, sir"
"You are not the one that sang
hrst? he asked.
No. sir, that was my sister, Vir-