The Washington times., 1921-05-25
Into a Rainbow World
A SHORT STORY OF GIRLS UNEXPECTED EMANCIPATION
How a Distasteful Marriage Was Set at
Naught and All Through the Notes
of q Spontaneous Song

ney, with his lanky hEure, his oily
hair and snaky eyes--her husband!
She had laughed hystsricaliy
after his hrst call But her father
had scolded her sharply.
Hilda remembered how the neigh
bors had spoken of what q nns
buryin' Mrs. Mckinney had had. Yes.
seth would probably give her
"hne buryin'," too. when her time
came. She laughed ironically at
the thought-she was so full of life
and vitality now. Again she
shrugged her shoulders and re-
solved to put away all dismal
thoughts from her mind.
Her bonnet fell back on her
shoulders as she wandered through
the woods like q golden-haired
dryad, and at noontime ate her
lunch in a fsvorite nook by the
waters edge.
Humming A Tune.
Here1Fhe sat down under q large
tree and began singing. She had
sung and hummed most OF the day
1t was only on occasions like thil
when she was alone that she sang,
for her voice was deep and vibrant
and blended strangely with the high
treble Of the other women in the
church. Her schoolmates had always
teased her because her voice was
deep like a mans.
She paused, and then from BE-
hind her came the sound of clap
ping and q strange voice cried
"Bravo.'
Hilda turned in fright and saw
two strangers. = man and woman
standing behind her. They had
evidently come from the other side
of the hill, SO she had not seen
them.
She rose, flushed and startled.
but the woman. whom she recog-
nized as one of the Cummings'
summer boarders, came forward
and took her hand.
Pardon us, please, for startling
you so, but we were attracted by
your lovely singing. My husband,
Mr.. Walling, and ! are both vocal
teachers and are naturally inter-
ested In SO splendid . voice. Do
you live herey''
Hiida answered that she did, and
pointed to her home where IL
showed through the trees.
They sat down together under
the big tree and led by the tactfuI
inquiries OF the Wallings, without
knowing really how she came to
do so. Hilda found herself telling
them how she had always loved to
sing, but had seldom done so be-
fore people because her voice was
so different from the others. She
told OF her little roma nee with
young Owen Parker, who had gone
to war. and OF the marriage her
father had planned with Seth
Kinney.
A New World.
"UnthinkabIew declared Mr..
Walling. What q mercy we ran
across you in time. Why. you have
a hne voice, child. You have a
wonderful future before you IL you
have proper training" They both
declared she must return with
them to New York and have her
voice cultivated.
But l have no money. and
father would never give me any
for such a purpose" began Hiida.
we VIII see 10 thAt ana arrange
with your parents to let you live
with us-you can repay US later
on"
"But ! can work." declared Hilda
spreading out her strong. shapely
young hands. 81 can do all kinds
of housework. will keep your
house clean-I will cook your
meals"-
ave will see about that" an
swered Mrs. Walling kindly. You
will be the daughter ! have always
wished for"
As they started toward the Ben
son home. the chirping OF the birds
in the trees was like a paen Of
happiness to Hilda, as she realized
the Joy OF living was not over for
her after all-but only just begun.