Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-03-16
FROM OVERTURE TO FINALE.
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER
As Philip Vane-tall, of fine figure,
handsome, elegantly but tastefully
dressed-was conducted to a seat in St.
Marks, Burton, one pleasant Sunday
morning in August, many lady turned
her hes d to look at him admiriDgly.
Wealthy, highly educated and thor
oughly conversant with the world, from
extensive travel, he had come, a few
days before we introduce him to the
reader, to this town away down in the
Pine Tree State, hoping it would afford
him the quiet not attainable at those
fashionable resorts which he had been
In the habit of frequenting previous
summers. But one glance around the
little church-disclosing rustling silks,
flashing jewels, .'paint and powder''-
convinced him that Fashion had made
An inroad even here.
That he was an object of favorable re-
gard he also noticed; and ready as he
was on most occasions to show by his
manner that such regard was not lost
upon him, in the present instance he
gave it no heed. For with him music
was a passion, and, as he entered the
church, among those chanting the
''Gloria Patri'' his cultivated ear caught
the tones of a soprano so sweet, round,
full, his eyes involuntarily wandered to
the choir.
The singer he readily distinguished
from the rest; and, fully expecting to
look upon some distinguished vocalist,
possibly passing a short season in the
place, he was surprised to find her a
girl evidently not more than sixteen
years of age. There is every reason to
suppose he gave more attention to her
than to the s'preached word" as most
of the time during the service his gaze
was fixed upon her; and, somehow, her
features reminded him of Raphael's
'.St. Cecilia which he had seen in a
foreign art-gallery countenance
wearing the same mild, peaceful, gentle
expression that characterized the paint
ing. Certainly, her voice proclaimed
her well-fitted to be a patroness of music
and musicians, as was Cecilia.
sWho is tho leading soprano at st.
Mark's?" he inquired of Mrs. Earle
his boarding mistress-directly he had
returned to his temporary home.
"Florence Alling."
"Is she resident of this village?"
"Her home is just opposite here"
"She is one of the finest singers /
ever heard. Where did she study
music as
"Her mother was a music teacher,
and was the only instructor Florence
had"
"You said her family live across the
way?"
II said Florence lives there Her
parents are both dead, nor do 1 know
that she has single relative on earth"
"Does she support herself by teach
ing music?'
"She works in the factory"
"Works in the factory!" repeated
Philip, in establishment!
"Her father was q miserable fellow,
and at his death left her nothing; so
she depends entirely upon her own eff
forts for support. She prefers the life
of an operative to any other, as she thus
has her evenings to herself"
The subject was discontinued at this
point, but by no means did Philip Vane
cease to think of the girl. Indeed, she
was in his mind most of the day, and
more than once did he wish there was
an afternoon or an evening service at
St. Marks, that he might again hear
her voice-but there was not.
As he was about retiring to his room
for the night, Mrs. Earle remarked:
"Florence usually comes in every
Sunday evening to play on our organ,
but presume the knowledge that a
stranger. is here kept her away this
evening""
al am very sorry if such is the case.
Please tell Miss AIling, when you see
her, that am in no wise formidable
and that 1 shall be glad to hear her
sing at any time; also, that l sincerely
hope my presence here will not cause
her ABSENCE" smiling.
"I will do as you request. By the
way, do you play?"
IS little."A
"Shal 1 seem presu,nptuous if l ask
you to play q short time now? My son
he was killed in the army-used to
play, the last thing he did Sunday even
ings, and perhaps, if close my eyes, [
can make it seem like old times,' her
voice trembling as she spoke.
ait will afford me great pleasure to
accommodate you," was the response.
.tArtificial light never appears to me in
harmony with music. Are you willing
that turn down the lamp"
ssGertainly."
Il It was done; then, seating himself at
the instrument, he improvised such har-
mony as only one can whose being Is
peryaded with those delicate instincts OF
which music is the grandeSt exponent,