The Confederate generals
slid from Miss Emmeline's lap and lay face downward, forgotten.
Westmacote's faded little wife, who had no children, crept closer to
her big husband; and gently, unobtrusively, he reached out and took
her hand in his warm grasp.
Why did you promise love to me
And not that promise keep?
Why did you swear mine eyes were bright,
Yet leave those eyes to weep?
Why did you say my face was fair,
And yet that face forsake?
How could you win my virgin heart,
Yet leave that heart to break?
I am sure there is no lovelier and more touching ballad in all our
English treasury than that sad, simple, and most beautiful old song.
And he had set it to an air as simple and as perfect as its own
words, an old-world air that suited it and his rich and flexible
voice.
"Why, Jelnik!" exclaimed Doctor Geddes, in a voice of pure
astonishment, "I knew you could tinkle out a tune on a piano, but,
man, I didn't dream it was in you to sing like this!" And he stared
at his cousin.
"I'd make bold to swear that Mr. Jelnik has a dozen more surprises
up his sleeve, if he chose to let us see them," The Author said
pleasantly.
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