THE DECEPTION OF MOLLY GRESHAM.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 160, 27 June 1908, Page 4

THE DECEPTION OF MOLLY GRESHAM.

(lly K:i!hl<M'ii liityli l ,) " It's jusl HIV luck." wiiil ilie lii'vcri'ini ilonti-e (Irusliam moodily, " just me luck." "Ilh. f,,r nhame." cried his sifter sjisily. "The iile.i nl' a tidkiiH: m' luck, lloi'iicc. your inunils are decideilly slack." In spite of his [he you!i^ r vi-iir smiled. It's jll-1 the mo>t tuifirrimiat.. i]iiu,> that could have happened." lie said dismally, crunching his !nHler t >d t ([ ,i-,t wiili the full enjoyment of v.mlli ami iierleei health. "1 wish.'' reiuarkcd his seventeen-year-old sister plaintively, "you'd lie straightforward and tcdl me tlie reason j ol ali this 1 expect there's a way | out of the difficulty."

"lhere isn't. To-morrow's services are absolutely .•.poiit." "tlh, hut that's ali-nnl," ml in .Moii, decisively. "The Bishop's coming, the music's |H'rfeet, and " "The music is not perfect," the Kit. Horace said, with as much initabili:;. in his voice as his sunny feaiure> u;b capable of. "Johnny Smith has developed measles and can't sing." "Horace! Von can't mean that':" " 1 do, worse luck. I told yon nothing worse could have happened. I've bragged of his singing, and you know what a keen musical critic the liishop is. lie said only last week that he was coming to judge for himself whether all that was said about my perfect soprano v.as true. I tell you, .Molly, nothing more utterly ho|M'less could have happened. 'I here's not a boy in the choir to toueli [ him with the ends of the longs, even if there was time to teach him the solos, which there isn't. I've arranged tli ■ most ditlicult musical service possible, wit!, three heavy soprano solos, just to show the Hishop what we can do. and now this is the end, and the liishop will put. me down as » boasting, bragging idiot." \ While her brother sunk", Molly (ire.iliam, his only sister, housekeeper, confidante, and private secretary, all iu one, buttered more toast for him wit it a thoughtful expression Oil her very charming face. As he ceased she looked Ul '' "Horace," she said dramatically, "I have an idea." The young vicar brightened up. " W ell, out with it." he said bo.vi.-hly. " I told you I should find a way otil of the difficulty. I am the way. I shall ning the solos." The vicar's face fell instantly. ''lmpossible," lie said decidedly. "If there is one thing more than another that the Bishop is down on, il is women soloists ill church.''

'* 1 ;uii not going to be a woman soloist in church," Molly said calmly. "A! least, I menu the outward and visible part of me won't be. 1 shall put on a cassock and a nice white surplice-one of yours —and I'shall make a much nicCr hoy than .Johnny Smith." "Tlml's ijuite possible, and you're a good little woman to think of it/Mlresliain said gratefully. "Jiut it can't be done. There's your hair, Molly."' "Where is your memory. l!orat<*? Didn't I have the smartest hoy's wig for the phiv at school lust year? 1 n hail wear that, and no one will be any the wiser, least of all the Kishop.''

The Kev. Horace hesitated. The temptation was very strong, lie was so proud of his choir in general. and of Johnny Smith in particular, and what the llishop said and thought meant so much. He had only been Vicar of Si. Saviour's, Eastthorpe, nine nmnlhs, and already people talked of the wonders ho hud worked in so short a time.

He was young, ton, just t«only iiim-. and anxious. for it was tin- Kishop's lir.-t visit. It iill seemed sii simple iiinl ea-y. Mnllv sang like an angel. a high. clear, sweet soprano. tin- very counterpart o" a boy's voio''. that most jiiT!r;L of all vocal organs.

The liKin who said "ll'' who hesitateis lost." thoroughly understood the weakness of luuiiuu nature, 'l ie' vicar hesitated. and the inevitable followed, he was Ici.t. Molly saw her opportunity and grasped it with both hands. "Vim do agree, don't you, Horace':'' If the vicar owned io one great weak ness over and above his admiration for his, choir, it was his admiration for his strong-willed, high-spirited sister. " it goes against all my principles, lie began slowiy, "but it's a great temptation. .Molly." "Have you got a cassock to fit me':" asked Molly briskly. " Vour surplic will do, and remember, .lioraee, do remember that I'm not your sister. I'm a choir-boy, pure and simple, who offered to come. Your best plan is to keep quiet and say nothing, or you'll muddle up everything, you dear old stupid.'' The Kev. Horace sighed. "1 shall be only too glad to band ovei the responsibility, dear," he said, rat ltd wearily. " 1 only hope no harm will

conu» of it.*' Tlit- following day Mr. (Jresham en U'V'A the vliuii- vestry, fallowed l).v i slim, fair-liaired chorister. already Had ill cassock and surplice. lli» Look tin' new arrival to 11 to ehoir-nta*tev. "This i.- finr H>l»ist. Mr. Harrison." lie said, keeping his eyes :'c>ohiiely averted from tin- iunueen!. la<c tin* l'<»y ;>t his «dde. I In»]»t* >li he will iill Smith'* place adequately." Mr. ilani-un eyed the liny criiieall\. " Kver >uuj» nolus h"fni'"," lie a.-kel r-h"i'liy. The hey -lilil.'d ;i sweel. iir.'.etiU ill--mil", and the vicar hurried away. his lips twit chiller. " (Hi. lie Miid cowlly, " I'd - o; time*."

"• 11 *in. doh't bundle t||i- IV Oeiini. that's all," Mr. Ilarri>"ii -aid curtly. lie, 100, > aiiNi"ii- aud a hit wo- - rieil. Why '.he diekein did SuiiUi want |n j»e[ tiH'a>le7 ul' all other uclo of t lie ve.u 'r

Till' nr-.HI pealed out till' OJU'MiiIJ voluntary, and tin' t jmiii 'd chon-ler-iilcd past t" Mifil place-, followed !ir-: liy tin- curaie. a hoyi-h < U'- 1 ■ ->n. Molly, then by t In* vic.tr, -tv.iiiidl and anxiou-dookinij. and la-l of all hy the l'd-liop. dignified and observant. 'l'h.- service The vicar's usually -it voice 'wavered slightly at lir>t. then Meadicd down, and iinally ran;*' mii line and clear. Tin- I'i.-hop. I'roin hi- -cat in tin* -am--tii.irv. glanced round the clu<ir. Ifr 1 wa • niiddlc-Mu"'d, hroad-minded, and hum.mad. The hoy-, in ilieir clean. whita -nrpliee- ami >!n11i11 ir face- looked prom-i-inv' enough. 'ilieiv iiilonin;.' wa- \vei ni-lt perfect. The I<M. however. wa-

TI"- curate rrad tie* lemons, -ja/iii;.: < verv # now and then round the rh'nvh in -■•ariTi ot Mi" whevejlioiits of hi- diWhat could have happened *■: her iodav of all day-? Wlrn the or::afU-i played tlie openin- liar- of the To |)eum. the vicar weir. Ve'r\ w Idle, and glanced verv ha.tilv lo Ah.oe 11„. lair-haired chori-i.-r in'-niii'j; over tic- pa;i«'- of hi- eopy. 1 j Would lltev never j Iv lii'ii 1" now. ppo.-e. oil 1 i ea veil -! j ,n;il fail to come in nt th" proper time; i -nnp"-e I In ihe middle t,\- all his va-ue In- -nddejilliear!. ri-iiiL' ami clear. hj;„ voice. It he|i{ t he jioll word distinct. .-Mid the Iti-hop in hi- e\eji euieiiI and delimit ti'ok a -lep |nrwatd. to v.at'-!i m-uv chicly the 1 ! vel ofp-■r■ j• 1 i'i)i. I The *.'*i >r drew a lon-,'. -!iitdd"riu- ' -i;;h of relief. Molly wa< -uorenn-, won 1 dciTnl. When I he -010 vr-* HWY. Jh.-ie v»« 1 iliroit;.'!i i he \«!u-le an a 1 < nto'-t Jnaudi'tle mid \et :ilt-olidel\ d«c cided imirmnr of ;oliuiri' ion. Mr. '1 hatlt eaunhi the -Opli-no'- e'.e I>o' "i 1 i hr<Mtlile-s and the k»"k on hi

| face repaid Stilly. If he .cjinired her [ >!i" adored her only brothel'. | "I'liw solos in ilio J lenedietus and tin- | *ll* '"'in went off equally well, Th* Jduir di<| their level best, and I in* soloist. |mi J'| i:i ssed herself. 'I he 15ishop's fa cm : v.- a study in delighted admiral ion. .'iMtng lunch, the KUhop returned to :'i- -abject uppermost in his mind. ""ion have worked wonders, (;j. hem.' he said cordially, "and as for choir, it is beyond criticism. Hut 'he bo v. he is perfect. absolutely pelfed."

1 lie \icar fidgeted and looked a M'diy. who was chaltim,' (piiotly am uiiwht ru>ivoly with Lite curate. his eye and kept on tlie alert - he liii'iht need helping oui. '• l»y !lie way,'' went on the vi.-itor, of course he is a native of Kastlh;.:'p;\ \\ liat is his iiameY" Tli" vicar gasped. ,ll<> had coniplelely 1 or; 14 ;en to ask. .Molly looked, uj> 'l"i' klv. "Are \iui of our soprano, my lord':" she asked easily. "Oh, his name.'' It ouuht to he something jirettv, ouyiit I it not. instead id' which it is plain Jack Davis.'' The vicar breathed airain. What a. marvel of resource and ingenuity Molly was. And, furl her. she kept rigidly to ihe truth. Her own baptismal name was Mar\ dactjiudine Davis (Jreshani. T!ie liishop went on, happily uncon-.-.eitius i,( the state of mind of his host: "I should like to a»k you a favour.' he said »racioifsl\. "As you kuow. I am especially interested ausic, would it lie possible for the i: for j

me here j This iimc 1 lie viea.r f.-U tae "-round steadily beneath him, but Molly was ready. "Oh. do. Horace." she .-aid eagerly. " I will send immediately aft.-r lunch to ask him." said the poor vicar, wondering how on earth the deception would end. " Let me see, he lives

" I know," put in his sister, "'and, my lord, to insure his coming 1 will jru myself t<> ask him.''

Th<> Hishoj) thanked her, and luneh went on -muothiy for all save the har-ii--<'d u-nnj: vitar. lie racked his brain< tt> discover Molly's plans, but in vain, ami it up ai last, with ;i silent prater to Providence t" pull him through -onndiow.

After lunch. Molly Hew upstairs and with eager hands pulled open a drawer in [he box room pulled out a suit of J-jons, somew hat shabby and worn, that hail once been her work of a moment to put them on and to fix once more the lair wig over lici' clustering dark *urls. Then she scribbled a note to the vicar and sent it down, lie opened it nervously. "It's all nghi." he read; "let ihe lb-hop go up to tlx* drawing-room. Make my eNeUsc- say 1 have beo.i suddenly called our and shall be back soon, (. beer up.—>l." The vicar cleared his throat. "My sifter hegs you to excuse her. mv lord/* ho said. "She is urgently needed somewhere, bu! will be \):\vk soon. 1 hope. Meanwhile shall we gi io the drawing-room? 1 believe the boy

When the\ filtered the room, the boy in ;he shabby Lions stood -hvly lidgeling wii h his college cap. The vie.ir braced him-clf up. " Kr, D.ivi-J' he said neivouslv, "the P.ishop U anxious to hear you sing. His lordship was pleased with your solos this morning." The hov looked up fcar!e--|y. "Thank you. my lord." he said quictliriati Orford. Ihe curate, caught d look iu the boy's ( .ye> ami stared, then stared again, and filially caught itis breath and turned away, choking with laughter. The P/ishop laid his hand on the chorister's shoulder.

,; You have a wonderful <N'av lad," lie said kindly. "See that you do not ini-iwe it. l'Vw are sen! with ?<> I':im aifd Heaven-sent a yifi :in a voice like yours."

Tin' l>oy blushed and }in»k<**l away. VtuinL' Orford bent over ilie fire ami poked it. noisily. 11 Iwas a »lorious joke— lie choked ap'nin. ami then caught the xicur's appealing eve ami steadied himself.

The l»i-hop arcoinpanied the boy as he suu;. ami if he hid done well in the morning, he excelled still further now. The prelate played on for an hour, then rose reluctantly. "Villi have ;.'ivi'ii 'mi' limit. ]il(*M.~nrr." lip said. - I must not keep vim longer, 'lake this my lx>y. not »<< a lvwaril. but. as a memento of the happy hour you have me. liuy with it to remind you of the pleasure you have •jiven me." lie took "lit a r sovereign. For a second the liny hi-.-itatcd, then held diij his hand. ' " Thauk yiii. sir—my lord. I mean,'' lie Slid. " f ■<|<id :l I tt'l lluoll. 111 V 101-d ; jinud-al'lci'innm. fir.'' Ili- pickod up liis cap and left tin' i .'iiiiii. After a mnnicnl's liesiution die curat<* followed. lie caught tin* .chorister upon tlw stair-, and in a vorv nil - clerical manner threw prudence tn the winds and look llii' liny in liis arm*. - darling.*' lie whi.speivd. mindful dial tin- lli-hop and liis vicar were lint a few yards awav. "What a brick ynu are! Nn wonder die vicar is s.i ]irnnil of Vim, and—and. oli, Molly. I love von."

The ue\t inonienl a passer-iiy miydit have wilne-seil a very curious seem'. Tin- curate "I St. Saviour's held in iiis arm- a tall, f:\ir-liaired clioir-hoy clad in shahliy Klons, whose head ri'sted aeaiiist iiis broad slinnlder, wliile he whispered soft nothiiiL'- into a liny. piiiK ear. Hut the liishop never knew.