The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1919-10-18
THE COMPROMISE
BY GLADYS p. ANDERSEN.
Observation-Disclosures

I'm here at last, mother"
Mrs. Adams glanced up from her
work. 81 was calling VIVIAN she
said.
"Why, mother, I am Vivian" The
girl threw back her curly head and
laughed merrily. Wont you ever be
able to tell us twins apartY"
'T thought by the way you came in
through the door twas Virginia. She
always comes in like a shot from
gun. Where have you girls been?"
"Down by the river. The wind
blew so we did not hear you wien
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 it was going to be Just
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?"
Vivian gasped.
Yes, dear, and I am afraid you will
have hard time deciding" her moth
er answered.
There's nothing to decide. It's Vir-
ginta's turn. I went to the sOciable
last month, 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 a consultation
with her mother, who interrupted
her by exclaiming, 'Tt will never do.
Of course there's no harm in it. but
If you get into any trouble. don't
blame anyone but yourselves.
mo one will ever know about it,.
responded Vivian confidently.
"IIl go down to the village now and
call at Mrs. Blake's. I 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. 'T'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
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 NAV
sing what you please. Are you will
ing?"
iii 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. 81 have plan. You have a
voice, and with teaching, you could
become a singer. Perhaps 1 can ar
range to give you a couple of hours
each week"
I'm afraid I am bit timid," said
the girl, "but since you ask me I 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 we'll before"
The accompaniment began; but
when an untutOred, but rich contralto
voice commenced the song there was
sudden diScOrd among the keys Of
the piano, and Sergeant West wheel
ed about and stared at the trembling
girl beside him. "What does 1t
mean" cried the artist.
"It 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 a word. Then she
Stammered. 'I-I am the other twin
If you please, sir"
"YOu are not the one that sang
first?" he asked.
"No, sir, that was my sister, Vir-
ginia. 1t was her turn with our
dress"
Vivian stammered, then was silent.
One half-hour before, Virginia had
Slipped out unobserved and met her
sister at Mrs Blake's. In their hurry
in exchanging gowns Virginia had not
cold her sister she had been obliged
to sing.