2
Miss Fortescue the Seamstress,
, FORTUNE'S CHANGES,
CONrtlTOKl).
T
IMIE all-important Saturday evening at
last came. At an early hour an eldor-
1y gentleman, liaving a veiy gonial aspect,
'called on Alice and Introduced himself as
Mr. Fryor, chairman, etc., eto. After the
first salutations were over, Alice expressed
her deep obligations to the committee for
their very flattering and unexpected offer.
Finding that her caller was disposed to be
Bociable nd chatty, she jestingly remark
'ed: "In offering me this engagement, Mr.
Pryor, it would seem that the gentlemen of
the committee have been a little venture
some, for they talk me entirely on trust."
" In part, Miss Fortescue, but not en
tirely," said the gentleman, with a good
humored smile.
"Surely no one, with tho exception of
my mother," rejoined Alice, " has heard
me sing sinoe I have resided here."
" Pardon -me," replied Mr. Pryc, "I
thick you labor under a slight mistake !"
" 1 am positive, sir," said Alice, '" that
I have not sung a note out of ttris room,
ad only in the presence of my mother."
"I -will admit all that," smilingly re
marked Mr. Pryor, "but not that your
mother has been at all times yowr sole au
ditor. "Let me explain," he added, seeing
ithe wondering expression on Alice's face:
"Last Tuesday evening, I think it was,
' young gentleman belonging to our com
mittee, 'by the merest accident happened to
extend "his walk in this direction. As he
ariived -opposite your house, lis steps wore
arresteB, to use his own langnago, ' by one
of 'the -sweetest voices he ever heard.' He
watted on the walk until the lady had fin
isliokl (her singing. He tnatfe inquiries in
regard to said lady, ascertained her name,
-and b? his urgent recownendation the
-committee was induced to invite her to
sing'ia the choir."
"That, then, solves the mystery which
'hasipczzled mother and myself not a little,"
said -Alice, a modest bhteh mantling her
cheeks. "We wondered-wby the invita
tion was extended to oneof whose musical
abilities the committee must be, as we
-supposed, in total ignorance."
' "I .acknowledged just tiow," remarked
Mr. Tryor, " that we selected you partly
on -trust, but not entiawly. We have re
lied ololy on the representations of the
lyoung gentleman who listened to your
.prrformance; I have doubt that when
the. rest of the committee 'hear you this
evening, they will be vuite as favorably
impressed as was eur-young friend."
.lAs Alice began to moke preparations for.
- her departure, Mr. iPryor said :
"'By the by, Miss Fortescue, would you
-object to sing this eveuiug the piece which
-so-charmed my friend the other evening?"
-".It was an 'Ave -Maria' by Schumann,"
said Alice, going to the music-stand and
selecting the composition; " I will sing it
with (pleasure."
-Iua short time they -started to attend the
rehearsal. On the way to the church her
companion remarked that he had invited a
number of friends, which he hoped would
net be objectionable to her.
"."Not in the loast," was her reply; "but
you mist remember, Mr. Pryor, that this
will-bcjmy debut, therefore any short com
ings that may arise from the embarrass
ment of tho occasion I twist will be over
looked." The .gentleman assured her that every
thing -would be taken into consideration,
while his mental conolusioa was, as be gazed
into the brave face turned to him, that
there-was but very little danger of her fail
ing to meet all requirements.
On being introduced to the choir, Alice
.received .a very cordial greeting from its
members, among whom she very soon felt
lief self quite at home. -She was taken a
flittle -by surprise at the large number of
ladies and gentlemen present in the body
of the-chuseh. She felt that it was not
before an ordinary audience that she was
to appear, but an assembly -of critics. It
was a trying situation for the young singer.
Had she been constitutionally timid, the
fact we have mentioned would very natu
rally have caused ber to appear to disad
vantage. -But be was fortunately blessed
with a good share of confidence, and she
Awaited the ordeal with less perturbation
than she had feared she should experience.
There was a slight tremutousness percep
tible in Alice's voice at the commencement
of the first piece sung by the choir ; not
sufficient to mar the tones, or marked
enough to attract particular notice. In
stead of telling against her, it seemed rath
er to enlist the sympathies of the audienoe
in her behalf. It soon passed off, however,
and ber voice swelled out to its full com
pass, clear and defined, yet blending har
moniously with the other parts. It was
very evident, by the expressive nodding of
heads and whispered remarks of the occu
pants of the pews, that the impression she
made was decidedly favorable. In the
two or three pieces that followed, that im
pression was evidently greatly strengthen,
ed. In the last piece, in particular, where
she bad a short solo, a murmur of approba
tion from the pews below greeted ber exe
cution of it '
But now came what Alice considered,
and what in fact was, the severest ordeal
to which the young debutant had been or
would be subjected, the singing of the
"Ave."
A rustling movement among her auditors
and the air of expectancy they wore, as
Alice arose in the choir, evinced that their
Interest was concentrated on this particular
performance.
" You have brought an extra copy with
you, I presume, Miss Fortescue ?" said the
organist, as he arranged the notes before
him on the instrument.
"No, I have but that one," replied Al
ice; " but it matters not, as I am perfectly
familiar with the piece."
44 You will not attempt it without the
notes 1" said the former, with some little
astonishment.
" I have.no other alternative," rejoined
Alice, with a smile, " unless I look over
your shoulder, which would be somewhat
awkward."
Tho old gentleman said no more, but
with a doubtful shake of his head turnod
to his instrument and commenced the per
formance. Whatever nervousness troubled Alice on
her first essay that evening, she experien
ced none now. She was one of those who,
let the emergeucy bo what it may, seemed
endowed with power to' meet every demand
that may bo made upon thorn. Encouraged
by the success that she had already attain.
ed for all singers and publio speakers are
quick to discern whether or not they have
secured the sympathies of tboir heareri
she entered upon her task with the fullest
confidence.
Tho moment her pure, sweet, magnetic
tones wcreteard there was an instanta
neous hut throughout the church, as if a
sudden aoell had been wrought upon the
audienoe. As she proceeded and entered
more fully into the subject she was render
ing, she seemed to lose all consciousness of
her surroundings, and poured forth her pe
tition with a passionate fervor, which man
ifested to all that she was not rehearsing a
part, -but that her utterances sprang from
the impulses of ber own exalted spirit.
She made the prayer her own, faud the
patbes with which it was offered, and the
effect it produced upon the listener, wore
not a triumph of ait, but of nature.
Ac her voice arose, now in impassioned
adoration, now in fervent supplication, and
again breathed low in penitential confes
sion, a glance at the audience, sitting mo
tion-less, almost breathless, was sufficient to
shew that she bold her listeners incomplete
thraldom.
The final " amon" fell from her lips, and
still the same profound hush was observed,
until, flushed with emotion, Alice turnod
to resume her seat, whon tho combined
plaudits or the choir, followed simulta
neously by those in the pews below, broke
the stillness.
The aged organist left his instrument,
and taking the hand of the blushing girl,
said, in a voice full of feeling:
" Heaven bless you, my child ! We now
know how the angels sing t"
In a short time the committee in a body
entered the choir, and were introduced to
Alice by the chairman, each of whom con
gratulated her on her success, and bestow
ed the most flattering encomiums on her
performances.
On introducing the several members of
the committee, the chairman, Mr. Pryor,
remarked, as he presented one gentleman :
" This is Mr. Frederick Stanley, Miss
Fortescue, the gentleman I spoke of when
I called on you, who, by the chance of
hearing you sing the other evening, has
secured such a valuablo addition to our
choir."
As Alice gracefully exchanged the usual
courtesies, sho was mentally querying,
" Where have I met him before ?" It was
not until she had retired for the night that
it came to her mind, that it was at Miss
Dunbar's, on an occasion already known to
the reader.
Before leaving the choir, Mr. Pryor apol
ogized to Alice, saying that he should be
detained by parish business, but that Mr.
Stanley bad kindly volunteered to attend
her home; he hoped the arrangement would
be satisfactory to her. Of course Alice was
more than satisfied to exchange ber elderly
beau for one a score of years younger, al
though she did not so express herself to
the worthy chairman. As Mr. Pryor did
not remain" at the church, but proceeded
directly to his own domicile, it looked very
much as if there had been a collusion be
tween the two members of the committee.
Alice was very much pleased with ber es
cort. He was an ardent lover cf music,
and they found plenty to talk about in dis
cussing their favorite subject. On taking
leave of her, Mr. Stanley said that the de
cision of the committee in regard to enga
ging her would be early communicated to
her. This remark caused Alice not a little
wonderment. She supposed that her en
gagement was already settled. . She knew
that she bad put in proviso on accepting
the invitation of the committee, but from
the commendations bestowed upon ber, she
had every reason to believe that she bad
given entire satisfaction. She had no fears
in regard to the decision, although she
awaited the promised communication with
a considerable degree of curiosity.
She was not left long in suspense. Early
the following morning the postman brought
her a letter. The reader, perhaps, can in
some degree enter into the feelings of
Alice as she read its contents, which ran
as follows:
" Miss Alice Foimtsouit. The musio
committee of Q - Street Church have
unanimously docided to engage your servi
ces as soprano, and that, on condition of
your filling the situation for three years,
your salary shall be $900 por annum paya
ble quarterly.
" very respectfully,
"David Pnvon, Chairman, etc."
,
" Whom do you suppose they have en
gaged as soprano in our choir ?" asked Miss
Gates of ber friend Miss Dunbar, as they
met the next day on their way from tht
morning service.
"Really, I cannot imagine; who is. U
pray?" responded Miss Dunbar.-
" Why, none other than Miss FovtesAjue
the idea 1" replied Miss Gates.. " I am
told that they give her an extravagant
salary. I suppose she will put on more
airs than ever now 1"
" What kind of a singer la she has she
a good voice ?" Inquired her friend.
"O, she has a passable one, I suppose,
although the gentlemen appear to bo in
raptures with it, and her, too, I should
judge. By the by, Mr. Stanley waa at
church this morning, a new thing for him,
and he seemed more taken with her than
any. And, would you believe, it, Miss
Dunbar, I saw him go up and shake bands
with her as she came out of church the
ideal and afterwards accompany her
down the street ?"
" As he is one of the music committee,
he had probably something to say to her in
relation to the singing."
"Of course, it is not to be supposed that
otherwise he would take notice of one of
her class. And yet tbey appeared to bo
mighty " thick," I assure you. When I
passed them ho was so engrossed with her
that be did not condescend even to notice
me the idea 1" And the lady plied her
fan vigorously, as if to soothe her ruffled
dignity. .
"Do you attend vespers this evening?'
asked Miss Dunbar. 41 1 would like to
accompany you, and hear what kind of a
voice the girl has."
"0 yes, I always attend when the weath
er permits. ' 1 will call for you on my way.
Doubtless t shall find Mr. Stanley with
you, as usual, who will act as our escort."
41 Very likely," said Miss Dunbar, very
confidently ; " be sure and come early,
Miss Gates." And the two friends passed
on their respective ways.
At an early hour after tea Miss Gates
called on her friend. To the surprise of
the former, and something more than sur
prise of the latter, Mr. Stanley had not
made his Appearance. They awaited his
coming until the very last moment before
proceeding to the church.
" He is probably unavoidably detained,"
said Miss Dunbar, not altogether easy in
her mind. " I will leave word for him to
come after us." The notice was left, and
the ladies took their departure.
Although the relations that existed be
tween Mr. Stanley and Miss Dunbar were
very intimate, there was no "engagement,"
neither had there been a "declaration."
It was very manifest, however, that it
needed but a proposal on the part of
the gentlemen to bring the first named
affair about. It had all along boon dooi
ded by those uninterested that, sooner or
later, such would be the result of the mat
ter. Miss Duubar was deemed a veiy " eligi
ble match," for Mr. Stanley, who belonged
to an old aristocratic family, and was the
inheritor of great wealth. She possessed
many personal attractions, and by some
was called very beautiful. So far as form,
features and complexion were concerned,
this judgment could not be disputed. She
was, withal, refined and ladylike in her
manners, and highly accomplished, and
above all, in the estimation of many, she
was the prospective heiress of a vast for
tune. She had at an early . age attracted the at
tention of Frederick Stanley had won, in
deed, his "calf-love," as the budding
affections of boyhood are styled. This
youthful fancy would doubtless have ripen
ed into a deep abiding sentiment, had it
not been for the, fact that as ho grew older,
and the " glamour" of a first love was
gradually dissipated, he began to discover
that the object of his devotion was not the
all-perfect being he had fancied her. The
moment one begins to discover faults in
the object of one's worship, that moment
the idol commences to crumble and fall.
Stanley's character was above the or
dinary standard. His mind was more
comprehensive and far-reaching than is
usual with young men. Although thor
oughly genial in his nature, he was less
given to frivolities of life than others of his
age, and especially those who, like himself,
possessed abundant means to gratify every
wish. He belonged to what some styled
aristocracy, but it was of the highest type,
having not the loast taint of the mushroom
to it. He was remarkably free from assumpt
ion on account of birth, position or prop
erty ; and nothing was more distasteful to
him than the pretension of those who
plumed themselves on such distinctions.
The first suspicion awakeued in the mind
of Stanley that his worshipped idol might
be after all, nothing but o!ay, was caused
by the discovery in her of those pretensions
to which we have jU8t ftiidcd. He there-
"f ""uoavurer i obtain a clearer in
Sight into the la dv's character. It waa in
the pursuance or tuig Bubjeot that he in-
"ruuueuu luo discussion recorded In our
first chapte A De was not altogether pleas
ed with t' jq result of his experiment, leav
ing, as did, the lady in a most unfavor
able lifht. The mushroom taint was too
obvio,Q8 to escape his notice, and hisesti
n' Jon of the lady was in consequence
gi' tly lowered, lie began to wonder at
Ae infatuation which had exalted her
aoove an ouiers ot nor sex ; and when a
young man begins to indulgo in such re
flections on tho object of his passions, be
sure the prog ress of disenchantment is in
rapid progress.
We left our ladies on the way to church,
where they arrived just as the services
commenced. Before thoy wore fairly set
tled in their scats, an unpleasant nudge
from Miss Gates, and the whispered re
mark, " I declare if there is not Mr. Btan
loyin his pew the idea 1" brought a
slight flush to her companion's cheek.
Whether the nudge or the discovery bad
the most to do with the heightened color,
Miss Dunbar alone could say.
We are sorely afraid that the lady in
question was in any but a devotional frame
of mind during the exorcises of the even
ing, for she could not but observe bow
completely absorbed tho gentleman appear
ed during each performance of the new
singer. This, however, should not have
caused tbo lady uneasiness, for nearly the
entire congregation evinced the same rapt
attention as her liquid sympathetic notes
were heard in the beautiful vesper service.
Sitting where he commanded a view of
the choir, Frederic Stanly might well be
pardoned the steadfast admiring glances
bcHtowed upon the fair singer. Yery beau
tiful waa Alice at all times, but when in
the act of singing, a divine beauty rested
upon her countenance. Many vocalists
nearly destroy the effect of their musio, if
seen, by their facial contortions while
singing. It was not so with Alice. Dur
ing her performances each feature was
moulded in perfect grace, while her face
was illuminated with an almost an
golio beauty. Couple with this her match
less voice and execution, and what marvel
was it that Frederio Stanley, keenly sus
ceptible of the beautiful, and a passionate
lover of music, should be so " carried away
with hor," as Miss Gates would express it?
At the close of the services a passing
shower caused the ladies to huddle in tho
vestibule of the church, with dismal antici
pation of ruined bonnots and dresses. By
good luck Stanley found a stray umbrella
in bis pew. Seouring the prize he hastened
to the crowded porch. Miss Dunbar and
ber friend saw him making his way in their
direction, and, confident that the umbrella
was intended for them, they becan to crath-
er up their skirts to protect them from the
wet. To their great disappointment he
passed within ashort distance of .them with
out a sign of recognition, and they had the
mortification of seeing him go towards
Alice, who at that moment descended from
the choir, and of hearing him say:
" It is raining, Miss Fortescue ; will you
not accept the protection of my umbrella?"
The reader will imagine the feelings of
Miss Dunbar, as sho watched the couple
thread their way through the crowd and at
last disappear from the doorway. As for
Miss Gates, in her indignant astonishment
she could only utter, which she did most
emphatically :
"The idea!"
The reflections of Miss Dunbar on nr.
riving home that night, were, as may be
supposed, rar from agreeable. The foel
ings which agitated her were not those of
wounded love ; nor was it, in the strictest
sense, jealousy that rankled in her bosom ;
it was simply mortification, with no small
admixture of anger.
Her pride was touched probed to tho
quick. She felt that she had been snbWt
to a double slight. . In neglecting to make
his usual evening call, and going to church
in stead, for what purpose he best knew.
was Mr.Stanloy's first slight. But the leav
ing her in the church,to find her way home
through the rain as best she could, and
"going off with the sewlug-girl" this was
the crowning offence which awoke her
righteous indignation.
We have said she had no feelings of
wounded love. Miss Dunbar was a woman
incapable of strong affection. She was by
nature cold and unimpassioned. Althmio-li
he had spared no effort to secure the re
gards of Stanloy, it was not love that
prompted her. In looking forward tn Mm
time whon she should become his wife
and she doubted not thot day would surely
come she cherished no fond anticinatinn.
of the event the thought of it never caus
ed a single passionate thrill. Hor predom
inant thouL'ht in rceaid to her bennmln.,
Stanley's wife was, that ber marriage
would be the means of her attaining a
somewhat higher rank iu the social scale.
Ambition, not affection, was hor ruling
motive.
The reception Stanley met with when
next he called on Miss Dunbar was not a
flattering one. The lady was not partio
ularly demonstrative at anv time In
manifesting ber regard; but on this occa
sion ber manner waa so studiously cold and
constrained that the most indifferent ob
server could not fail to observe it, and it
rather amused him. He sought for no ex
planation. He knew very well where the
shoe pinched, and ho did not seem disposed
to relieve the pressure. He would not at
present, perhaps, have sought an oppor
tunity to orean up the intimate relations
that existed between them, although thoy
had begun to grow irksome to him, but as
one was offered him, he was very willing
to avail himself of it. Nothing had ever
passed between thorn there had been no
interchange of sentiment therefore if
either saw fit to interrupt the existing in
timacy there was no necessity for explana
tions. Stanley made his visit as brief as he
possibly could, consistently with due cour
esy ; nor was he in much haste to repeat
it. Thereafter they met but seldom, but
when they did meot, it was with the usual
show of friendship, although, on the part
of 8tanloy, it was with the consciousness
that the spell which once enthralled him
was broken, and on the part of Miss Dun
bar, that her power over him had passed
away.
41 Mother doar, do you hear?" said
Alice one morning in a playful, positive
way she sometimes affocted ; " after those
shirts are finished no more work in this,
house not another stitch 1"
41 1 don't know, my child"
" But I know," interrupted the lively
girl; " with the salary I now receive we can
afford ourselves a little relaxation ; besides,
you know, we ought to give other poor
folks a chance I Now do not say one word
against it, or away go thread, needle and
thimble out of the window 1"
"Ah, my doar child," said the mother,
smiling at her daughter's sportive manner,
" it is all very well now ; so long as you
have your health and retain your voice, we
have sufficient for our limited wants but
what if they fail?"
"They are not going to fail, mother
dear 1 1 am in perfect health why should
I be sick? Nine-tonths of the sickness in
the world is caused by wicked carelessness.
People fall sick and say it is a providential
infliction, when Providence has no more
to do with it than my little finger. It is, as
I have said, their own wicked carelessness,
their disregard of the well-known laws of
nature, that has brought the evil upon
them ; and if death is the result, I do not
seo why they are not as open to the charge
of suicide as if they had taken poison, sent
a bullet through their brains, or strangled
themselves with a rone. The end ,
same, and the only difference is, tho latter
adopt the most speedy process to obtain
it."
" Why, my doar child.how you do talk!"
said Mrs. Fortescue, a little shocked at tho
views advanced by Alice.
41 It is the truth, mother, and a very sad
truth," said Alice. " But let it pass. As
for my health, you shall see what a i.
dent body I will be, and what care I take
ot myself. As for the voice, it is a rare
thing for a woman to lose that; if it were
less rare, some people husbands, for in
stanoe would deem it a blessing rather
than a misfortune !"
"But the little work I do," said the
mother, roturui ng to the subject of giving
up sewing, " I consider it a pastime rather
than a toil."
"Ifyouwanta pastime, mother, there
are your dressess that need renovating, and
replenishing. You have hardly one decent
to wear. But in proposing to relinquish
needlework, I do not intend to remain
idlo."
"What new projoct have you got into
your head, my child ?"
" Not a new one, but an old one revised,"
Alice rejoined. " Miss Vaugban, I learn,
is about to give up ber classes in music,
being on the eve of marriage. ' Our organ
ist who takes quite a fatherly interest in
mo, has suggested that I can secure her -pupils,
and kindly ottered his services to
bring the matter about. I am expecting
to hear from him on the subject in the
course of to-day or to-morrow."
That afternoon Alice received the grat-
ifying information that nearly all Miss V.'a
pupils would attend her class, and that a
number of others expressed a wish to join
it.
Soon after taking her music class, she
was one day honored with a call from Miss
Gates. The lady came to urge her to per
form somo sewing at her own house. As
Alice politely declined, the lady said in
a tone and with an air of dissatisfaction :
" Well, I suppose it must be done here,
then ; when will you do it ?"
" Excuse me, MIbs Gates," said Alice,
"I should be very happy to oblige you,
and I thank you for calling on us, but
mother and I hare given up taking in
needle-work." -
" O I" ejaculated Miss Gates.
This was all the lady said ; but the tone
iu which that simple interjection was
uttered, and the manner of the speaker,
gave to it a deal of significance. As plainly
as tone and air can express language, hers -implied,
"Yes, got above it, I suppose!"
And when she took her leave, in every line
of her face was legibly written :
"The idea!"
It was remarkable about this time what
efficiency young Stanley displayed in the
performance of his duties as music-com-
,.,... uinui
in a formal sort of way ; but since the ad
vent 01 tue new singer ne was a very con
stant attendant at the reheat baV nftan
bringing some new piece of music to be
ung, in which the soprano had a promi
nent part. Concluded next week.
MM.