choir, too, is unusually good,” answered the stranger, glancing up
at several bonnets bobbing about behind the half-drawn curtains
above.
“Finest in the city, sir. We pride ourselves on our music, and
always have the best. People often come for that alone.” And the
old gentleman looked as satisfied as if a choir of cherubim and
seraphim “continually did cry” in his organ loft.
“Who is the contralto? That solo was beautifully sung,” observed
the younger man, pausing to read a tablet on the wall.
“That is Miss Moore. Been here about a year, and is universally
admired. Excellent young lady couldn’t do without her. Sings
superbly in oratorios. Ever heard her??
“Never. She came from X , I believe?
“Yes, highly recommended. She was brought up by one of the first
families there. Campbell is the name. If you come from X , you
doubtless know them.?
“I have met them. Good morning.” And with bows the gentlemen
parted, for at that instant the young man caught sight of a tall lady
going down the church steps with a devout expression in her fine
eyes and a prayer-book in her hand.
Hastening after her, the serious-minded young man accosted her
just as she turned into a quiet street.
“Phebe!?
Only a word, but it wrought a marvelous change, for the devout
expression vanished in the drawing of a breath, and the quiet face
blossomed suddenly with color, warmth, and “the light that never
was on sea or land” as she turned to meet her lover with an
answering word as eloquent as his.
“Archie!?
“The year is out today. I told you I should come. Have you
forgotten??
“No I knew you’d come.?
“And are you glad??
“How can I help it??
“You can’t don’t try. Come into this little park and let us talk.” And
drawing her hand through his arm, Archie led her into what to
other eyes was a very dismal square, with a boarded-up fountain in
the middle, sodden grass plots, and dead leaves dancing in the
wintry wind.
But to them it was a summery Paradise, and they walked to and fro
in the pale sunshine, quite unconscious that they were objects of
interest to several ladies and gentlemen waiting anxiously for their
dinner or yawning over the dull books kept for Sunday reading.
“Are you ready to come home now, Phebe?” asked Archie tenderly
as he looked at the downcast face beside him and wondered why
all women did not wear delightful little black velvet bonnets with
one deep red flower against their hair.
“Not yet. I haven’t done enough,” began Phebe, finding it very hard
to keep the resolution made a year ago.
“You have proved that you can support yourself, make friends, and
earn a name, if you choose. No one can deny that, and we are all
getting proud of you. What more can you ask, my dearest??
“I don’t quite know, but I am very ambitious. I want to be famous,
to do something for you all, to make some sacrifice for Rose, and,
if I can, to have something to give up for your sake. Let me wait
and work longer I know I haven’t earned my welcome yet,”
pleaded Phebe so earnestly that her lover knew it would be in vain
to try and turn her, so wisely contented himself with half, since he
could not have the whole.
“Such a proud woman! Yet I love you all the better for it, and
understand your feeling. Rose made me see how it seems to you,
and I don’t wonder that you cannot forget the unkind things that
were looked, if not said, by some of my amiable aunts. I’ll try to be
patient on one condition, Phebe.?
“And what is that??
“You are to let me come sometimes while I wait, and wear this lest
you should forget me,” he said, pulling a ring from his pocket and
gently drawing a warm, bare hand out of the muff where it lay
hidden.
“Yes, Archie, but not here not now!” cried Phebe, glancing about
her as if suddenly aware that they were not alone.
“No one can see us here I thought of that. Give me one happy