I drew as near as I could, and took my stand on her left. She ran her fingers rapidly over the keys and then asked me what she should sing. “‘Give us something to remind us of olden times!’ “‘Very well, here is one of my own invention: “‘In the happy days of yore A hero loved me then. Let my tears of sorrow pour, My happy days are o’er, For he loves me now no more-- He loved me truly then. “‘Oh, what bliss it is to know A hero loved me then! His young heart was all aglow, And as pure as driven snow; I must let my hero go. He loved me truly then. “‘All the happy days are past-- A hero loved me then. This poor heart is o’ercast With sorrow’s consuming blast, My hero broke it at last, He loved me truly then. “‘I remember every vow-- A hero loved me then. It crowds my memory now, For he kissed me on the brow, Then he sweetly told me how He loved me truly then.’ “Every time she lingered on the words ‘A hero loved me then,’ her eyes were raised to mine for a moment and I thought I saw an appealing look in them, and a glance of inquiry. When she came to the last three lines her voice trembled slightly, and when she fixed her beautiful eyes on me I saw that they were moist, though no tears fell from them. She repeated the last three lines in a low, plaintive tone. “For a few seconds after the last sweet sound had ceased not a word was spoken. Lottie declined to sing any more, notwithstanding she was urged to do so by the entire audience, but she rose from the piano and made her way to me, and running her arm under mine, said: “‘Come, Eddie, take me out where we can get a little fresh air--I am smothering in here.’ “The proposition suited me admirably, for I was anxious to be alone with her, and went out on the portico and began to walk up and down the floor, while Lottie leaned on my arm, with her face turned up toward mine. I was too happy to talk; my heart thrilled with delight, and I remained silent. After making a few rounds on the portico without speaking, we took seats on a low wooden bench, where a thick cluster of honeysuckle vines formed a canopy that would conceal us from the prying eyes of Mr. Heartsell and two other young men who were apparently watching us. “‘Now, Edward,’ said Lottie, ‘I want you to tell me what is the matter with you? Come now, don’t try to deceive me, for you know you cannot do it. I have not seen you smile to-night. You don’t look or act as you did in the happy days of old. You were always cheerful and pleasant then, but you look pale and serious now.’