Part 16 (1/2)

”And he loved to hear you sing?” said Brandon, in the same voice

”He used to praise ratify, but it did not deceiveforat her with an i expression

Beatrice's head fell ”Not now--not yet--not here,” she murmured, with a motion of her hand ”Wait till we pass beyond this ocean It seeesture

But the weeks passed, and theat Mauritius, and afterward at Cape Town, till finally they entered the Atlantic Ocean, and sailed North During all this time their association was close and continuous In her presence Brandon softened; the sternness of his features relaxed, and the great purpose of his life grew gradually fainter

One evening, after they had entered the Atlantic Ocean, they were standing by the stern of the shi+p looking at the waters, when Brandon repeated his request

”Would you be willing to sing now?” he asked, gently, and in the same tone of entreaty which he had used before

Beatrice looked at hi Then she raised her face and looked up at the sky, with a deep abstraction in her eyes, as though in thought Her face, usually colorless, now, in thein peculiar folds over her brow--an arrangeave her the look of a statue of one of the Muses Her straight, Grecian features, large eyes, thin lips, and well-rounded chin--all had the same classic air, and Brandon, as he looked at her, wondered if she kne fair she was She stood for a an It was a marvelous and a memorable epoch in Brandon's life The scene around added its inspiration to the voice of the singer The ocean spread afar away before thee of the horizon see, dotted with innu which, not far above the horizon, glealorious constellation, the Southern Cross Beatrice, who hesitated for a ht her idea fronificent of Italian corand' Iddio la gloria”

[Illustration: ”SHE GAVE HERSELF ENTIRELY UP TO THE JOY OF SONG”]

Her first notes poured forth with a sweetness and fullness that arrested the attention of all on board the shi+p It was the first tihetti had left Hong-Kong, and she gave herself entirely up to the joy of song Her voice, long silent, instead of having been injured by the sorrow through which she had passed, was pure, full, low like some divine inspiration passed over the marble beauty of her classic features; her eyes the, as the sacred fire of genius flashed froenerous and so penetrating with their subli, all on board the shi+p looked and listened with amazement The hands of the steersman held the wheel listlessly

Brandon's own soul was filled with the fullest effects He stood watching her figure, with its inspired lineaies of ht of Orpheus hushi+ng all ani

At last all thoughts of his own left hi of Beatrice swept over his spirit

But Beatrice saw nothing and heard nothing except the scene before her, with its grand inspiration and her own utterance of its praise

Brandon's own soul was more and more overcome; the divine voice thrilled over his heart; he shuddered and uttered a low sigh of rapture

”My God!” he exclai like this I never drea Is there on earth another such a voice as yours? Will I ever again hear any thing like it? Your song is like a voice fro It is a new revelation”

He poured forth these words with passionate ihetti used to praise me,” she simply rejoined

”You terrify me,” said he

”Why?” asked Beatrice, in wonder

”Because your song works upon me like a spell, and all ness”

Beatrice looked at him with a mournful smile ”Then you have the true passion for music,” she said, ”if this be so For ive up all hetti when you reach England?” asked Brandon, abruptly