The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1930-01-23
RUTH SINGS
FOR HER HOME
PEOPLE
~HE small concert hall was dec
&c by D. J. Walsh.)

observed: III wasn't every Gay III tne
year that a widely known singer hon
0red a small -ttown by her presence,
and when In way she belongs to US,
Il is up to us to show her how we ap-
'preciate her coming"
Every one was enthusiastic. "Wel.
come" in big letters was placed over
the entrance door.
But Mrs. Reed, whose bank account
was decidedly larger than that Of any
one else present, demurred: II call It
ridiculous to fuss so much. Every one
knows she was an ordinary little
school girl here"
Several women began to speak at
once. Zone does not remember that
now, dear Mrs. Reed-one only real
lies our good fortune in getting Miss
Meade to come" Another said: "My
dear, you have heard her sing, as
have. land you know how perfectly
glorious her voice is. We shall be the
envy of the whole county; this place
will be packed"
Mrs. Reed shifted: "For my part, l
wonder at her coming knowing how
well she will be remembered"
Mrs. Cook swung around, with little
sparkling glints in her eyes. Ruth
Meade is honoring US by coming, and
she said she was glad to come. Moth
or had the kindest letter from her,
and she says her fiance is motoring
her down. He Is highly respected
young man."
There was triumphant note in Mrs.
Cooks voice as she murmured to
friend: ''That will give her some
thing to think about"
She was right. Mrs Reed went
home in temper. She had many
times heard Ruth Meade sing. and
her son had fallen in love with the girl.
He who had never in his life been
refused anything, had been refused
by Ruth. Knowing how the young
singer had been taken up by the best
people. Mrs. Reed had so far humbled
her pride as to call and plead for her
son.
At first she praised and flattered.
but finding she made no Roadway,
she said: 81 called because ! thought
you were so much honored by my
sons offer, you dared not accept him.
Remembering that your mother once
worked in my home. was not sur
prised."
The only answer she received was:
II cannot marry your son because ]
do not love him."
And now 1t was explained! The
little mink had aimed for some one
well known and wealthy. But It was
unwise for her-most unwise - to
bring her fance here! There was
something very unpleasant about Mrs.
Reeds expression at that moment.
In the early evening big car slow
~ wound its way along the town
streets. "Oh. Roger, it seems ages
since I saw my little home town. Let
us drive slowly. Oh, here is our
home!"
tween fruit trees, the fence covered by
roses. Big bushes of lilacs were close
by the door.
The girls blue eyes were suddenly
suffused with tears. Mother planted
those bushes. She loved flowers"
A strong hand grasped hers sympa-
thetically.
By the time they reached the con-
cert hall she was laughing again. "Oh,
Roger, this is the first place ! sang
in. How happy | am to come again"
Then she saw the big "Welcome"
over the door.
They led her into the small dress
ing room to remove her wrap. and
some Of them who remembered her
when she was little girl, long before
a rich woman took her away to have
her voice trained, came to greet her.
When she stood before them on the
tiny platform they mentally rubbed
their eyes at the beauty and sim
plicity of her.
She felt she must give them her
very best, these dear country people.
She must not once let herself wish to
see her mothers little, upright figure
seated before her. If she did she
would break down.
The hail was indeed packed" and
every breath was still as her voice
rose. She sang the songs they knew
and loved, but never, never. had they
heard her sing like this. A wild bird
seemed to be imprisoned in her
throat and the notes swelled and
poured forth and held them spell
bound.
Mrs. Cook glimpsed the expression
in the eyes of the man Ruth was 60
ing to marry, and was satisfied. Mrs.
Reed saw the same look. HE won't
be so proud of her presently" she
thought.
But the others could not see any
thing properly, for she was singing
'sHome. Sweet Home" and they knew
the words came from her heart.
At the end they crowded around her,
and it was then she saw Mrs. Reed
and caught her meaning glance at
Roger Burton. She felt sick at heart.
Roger was not a snob but, after all,
she was only poor. country girl
She had not before realized what Il
meant. Her face famed. Did that
woman think she was ashamed of her
own mother?
Impulsively she stepped up to the
platfOrm again and held out her hands