Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-08-23

"Oh ~
The things we dream. The things
tnat ought to be, but aren't"
>. She took deep breath. Eyes, that's
it. That's what 1t meant. l felt it,
AND then, as though with sudden shy
ness at her self-revelation, she glanced
ABOUT about What pretty place! I've
never been here before"
,aow did you find your way?"
oh. knew where the cabin was.
the log jam below the pool. Then
mind" 'n"A 'ou
Mind! Oh, say. I don't know
when I've been so pleased.
"nIS0yt "hfs you rS,allyi real -, You say a lot"
That confused her a little.
oh - she said demurely.
mYns Ynd now, nov will you talk to me?"
But what--?"
"lNI'm not sure that ought to be
why not?"l
ITS kind of-unusual."
He laughed. "You wouldn't be you
II you weren't unusual"
she glanced at him uneasily.
You see, l don't know you very
You're very exclusive in Black
Rock !" he laughed.
guess we have to be exclusive
Whether we want to or not" she
replied.
.",Don,,t you think I'll do?'
Maybe. l oughtn't to have come,
out l just couldn't keep away"
I'm glad you did. / wanted to see
1T wasn't that" she put in hastily.
l had to hear you play again. That's
~, I'm play for you whenever you
,. WIN you? Then play again, now.
1t makes me feel all queer inside"
Peter laughed. "Do you feel that
way when you sing?"
No. 1t all comes out Of me then"
would you mind singing for me,
BetfT' he asked after n moment.
~ don't think l dare"
ne got up and went to the piano.
What do you sing?"
But she hadn't moved and she didn't
reply. So he urged her.
In the woods when you're coming
home-P
ION, I don't know 1t just comes
out-things I've heard-things 1 make
up-'
What have you heard I don't know
try"
She was flushing painfully. He could
see that she wanted to sing for him
to be part Of this wonderful dream
world in which he belonged, and vet
she did not dare.
what have you heard?" he repeated
softly, encouraging her by running his
fingers slowly over the simple chords
OF major key.
Suddenly she started up and Joined
him by the piano.
That's 1.-THE long, long trail
-windin'-' and in a moment was
singing softly. He had heard the air
and fell in with her almost at once.
Into the land Of my dreams
"hers mG the nightingale is singing
Like the good musician that he was.
Peter submerged himself, playing
gently, his gaze on his fingers while
he listened. He had made no mistake.
The distances across which he had heard
her had not fattered. Her voice was
unframed, of course, but 1t seemed to
Peter that it had lost nothing by the
neglect, for as she gained confidence
she forgot Peter, as he intended that
she should, and sang with the complete
abstraction of a thrush in the deep
wood. Like the thrush's note, too.
Beth's was limpid, clear and sweet, full
of forest sounds-the falling brook the
sigh Of night winds.
When the song ended he told her so.
You do say nice things, don't you?"
she said joyously.
Wouldn't you-if it cost you moth
Ing and was the truth? You must
have your voice trained"
Must! l might jump over the moon
IL had broomstick."
ITS got to be managed somehow"
Then you're not disappointed in the
way it sounds, close up?"
She stood beside him, leaning against
the piano, her face flushed, her breath
rapid, searching his face eagerly. Peter
knew that it was only the dormant art
ist in her seeking the light, but he
thrilled warmly at her nearness, for she
was very lovely. Peters acquaintance
with women had been varied, but, Curl
ously enough, each meeting with this
girl instead Of detracting had only added
to her charm.
"No. IN not disappointed in it."
he said quite calmly, every impulse In
him urging n stronger expression. But
he owed a duty to himself. Noblesse
oblige! 1t was one of the notices Of
his housc--(not always followed
a,asD. With a more experienced
woman he would have said what was in
his mind. lie would probably have
taken her in his arms and kissed her at
once, for that was really what he would
have liked to do. But Beth.
Perhaps something in the coolness of
his tone disconnected her, for she turned
away from the piano.
you're very kind" she said quietly.
He had a feeling that she was about
to slip away from him, 80 he got up.
won't you sing again, Bcth?"
But she shook her head. For some
reason the current that had run be-
tween them was broken. AS she moved
toward the door he caught her by the
hand.
Don't so yet. I want to talk to
IT don't think I ought" And then,
to be out maxim the trees grow"
He laughed. '"rheres lot OF time
for that"
She let him lead her to the divan
again and sat, her fingers dovetailcd
around n slender knee.
'I-I'm sorry l made fun of you ths
other day" she confessed Immediately.
IL didn't mind in the least"
"But you did seem TO know 1t ALL"
she said. And then smiled in the drec-
ton of the piano. "Now-I'm comm
TO think you do. Even Shad says you're
wonder. II don't think he likes