The west shore., June 01, 1888, Page 298, Image 8

THE WEST SHORE.
Not exactly; I must first propose you at the
M Then I am to be a regular member of that an
guatlwdyof declarators."
M No, indml," tv plied Amy, quickly, " your mem-U-rahip
will exton.l do farther than your clerical
work. You will not bo entitled to a seat in our coun
cils." " Ob, I understand, I am to lc the outside man.
- Ye, that ii it, I believe."
Tea over, Track and Amy returned to the parlor,
whore Amy cicused berelf and went to attend to
some household duties. Frank seated himself at the
piano and let hia fingers wander over the keys for a
moment, then broke into the chord, and finally wan
dered off into one of Chopin' melodies, forgetting, for
the lime, where he waa, and not until Amy's long
drawn breath cbme by aroused him, did he realize
that he wm not alone
"Oh, Mr. Yon Urean! What have you done?"
exclaimed Amy, ecstatically.
" Why, Mias Harrington, I trust I have done noth
ing wrong," replied Frank, somewhat embarrassed.
" Such delightful music, and you not letting us
know! 1 think it rel mean in you to have kept us in
ignorance of your wonderful talent"
" I had no idea of playing when I came in, but the
impulse came, and as it was some time since 1 had
played, I thought I would run over the keys just to
keep in practice."
" rieajw play some more."
" Certainly, if it will give you pleasure,"
He turned to the instrument, and running his fine
ly hajel fingers lightly over tho keys, struck into
one of Mendelssohn's ItfAutiful sonatas, Frank had
received a thorough musical education, having had
for his instructors tho best talent in New York, and
they pronounced him almost equal in execution to
themselves. He was a bom musician, and in his play
ing threw his whole soul into the music When ho
had finished the piece he turned from tho instrument
to Amy, whom he found standing a few feet from him,
with one arm resting on tho back of a chair, her body
inclined forward, one foot extended, her mouth partly
open, and tluwfl wonderfully leautiful eyes turned
full upon him.
" What a picture!" thought he, as ho silently
gated into her lovely eyes, until tho spell was broken
by a deep sigh from Amy, as she said, softly-
MHow beautiful!"
" I am amply repaid, Mi&s Harrington, by the
knowledge that I am able to contribute to your hap
piness," iaid Frank, as he left the piano and went
over to her side; but before be could form into words
the thoughts which agitated his tery soul, tho door
bell rang, and at the same time the sound of several
voices was heard outside.
Excusing herself, Amy went to the door, where
she found several of the young ladies, members of
the sewing society, awaiting admittance,
" The young ladies will please come to order,"
said the president, as she rapped upon the table to
command silence.
" Where is the secretary? " asked one of the girls.
" The chair is unable to answer the question."
" I think it's real mean in Belle Johnston not to
come," exclaimed Clara Vaughn, springing to her
feet " I gave it to her to read this afternoon, and
she promised to bring it with her to-night, and if she
don't come I'll never speak to her again."
" This meetin' is tooked up, and I call her to or
der," said Melissa Updyke.
" I'd just thank you to attend to your own busi
ness," said Clara, snappishly.
" Silence!" called the president
Just then there came a knock at the door, and the
tardy secretary made her appearance.
" It's time you were coming, Belle Johnston," said
Clara.
" The secretary will call the roll."
As each name was called the answer came, show
ing that business of great importance was to be trans
acted. The reading of Clara's letter was, in itself,
suflicient to bring every member out To miss hear
ing the first letter received from the front was, in
deed, out of the question. The secretary had scarce
ly taken her seat, as the roll call was finished, when
half the members were on the floor trying to be heard.
" Miss President," " Miss Chairman," they cried.
" Sit down, every one of you, or I will declare tho
meeting adjourned," said the president, becoming
very indignant at the uproar they were creating.
After the members had quieted down, the presi
dent said: ''Now, Miss Birdie Miller, we will hear
you."
That young lady arose and said: " Miss Chairman,
as this is a special meeting, I move that we at once
proceed to the transaction of tho business for which
the call was made, I call for the reading of Clara's
letter."
" Why, that's just what I was going to move," ex
claimed each of the other girls.
" I second the motion," said nearly every girl in
the room.
The reader will remember the compact entered
into by the girls, that the first letter received from a
soldier was to be read to the society, when it would
bo determined whether it should be answered or not
This will explain the anxiety on the part of the young