The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1879-02-28
"Bien! We will try zis," said he.

He struck the chords, and rising up on
the wings ofthe sublime harmony, Mabel's
voice scared like bird.
Signor Severe nodded when the aria
was over, and rubbed his hands glee-
fully.
Madame" said he, it is strong-it
is sweet. You have one idea of time
and tune-you know how to manage re
voice."
"And you will give me trial 2"
Mabers heart was beating so rapidly
that she could hardly speak. The Signor
nodded.
sand if re musical committee accept
you-mind, madame, do not say zey will,
for Of all committees, musical committees
are re most capricious-we will give you
re salary of six hundred dollars re year.
plays re organ leads re choir, when it
will be lead at ALL" with shrug of his
shoulder, "and shall most cordially re-
commend
| Six hundred dollars Mabel tripped
home as if her light feet were flying over
rose-clouds instead of muddy pavements.
Why, that was as much rs Messrs. Stint s.
Scrape paid Gerald for his drudgery work
behind the book-keeper's desk. Six hun
dred dollars! 1t would double their income
at once and enable them to lay something
| by for rainy day that comes to every one
| sooner or later. Oh could it he posi-
BILE that such good luck was in store for
her
1t was late on Sunday night, when Ger
aid May sat yawning before his solitary
fire. Mabel had been spending the day
and evening with a friend-or at least so
bo go;d Garol5 vyo, hooon,;no. 10 80
alize how lonely home was without its per-
vading spirit.
At length the door opened and Mabel
came in, rosy and dimpled and wrapped
in huge shawl.
"Have you been very lonesome, dear 2"
she said, radiantly.
"I've felt just exactly like Robinson
Crusoe ON his desert island' said Gerald
with grimace. "And what sort of day
have you had, little woman9"
"Oh, pleasant enough" said Mabel eva
sively.
"But tell me, Gerald, how have you Will
ed away your time ?"
"Ive been to fashionable church," said
Mr.. May "St. Eudocia's, in Magnolia
Square. And must take you there Ma
bel, to hear the music. Why, it's equal to
an oratorio. The tears came out of my
eyes as listened-it seemed as if my soul
was floating up on the current of that d.
vine melody"
"Was it very tines" Mrs. Mays face
was turned away as she was fastening a
loose button in her boot.
"The finest soprano I ever heard !" cried |
Gerald enthusiastically. "You must listen
to her, Mabel"
The young wife turned to him with |
trimming eyes and cheeks suffused with |
crimson.
Gerald" said she, ~ must tell you a
secret. l too was at st. Eudocia's this
morning"
"And you heard that delicious sopra-
no2"
"Yes-no-I don't know whether did |
or not, Gerald" tlinging her arms around |
his neck. 81 was the soprano at st. Eudo
cia's; oh, Gerald forgive me for keeping
you in ignorance SO long, but dared not
tell you until l knew positively that
should either succeed or fail. And Heaven
be praised l have succeeded"
Gerald's eyes, too, were full, in spite of
assumed stoicsm.
my little darling" he whispered car
essingly.
"And suppose they pay you some tri-
fling salary 2"
"Six hundred year, Gerald" she an
swered with innocent triumph.
"What 2" he involuntarily exclaimed
"That's something worth having. Why,
you must be genius, little wife,"
1--WE can save little money now, DEAR"
she said lightly; "you needn't take any
more of that tiresome law copying, and l |
can hire piano to practice with, and and |
oh Gerald, I'm so happy"
For Mabel May had at last succeeded in
attaining the goal of feminine ambition,
and would not have envied England's
Queen that night.