The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1883-06-28

4lOWAk description OF what her rec0D1
ton would be by the world; she had
seen herself in the crowded concert.
room. had heard the applause of culti-
vated audience; or, better still, had felt
tho raPt silence as her voice touched
And then Haroldl First to glory in
her triumph, hrst to share in her famel
How delighted he would be when the
wG 'hi. should ss ID render 70 her its homagei
this communion with her own thoughts
in the stiffness of her pleasant room.
Whatever might come hereafter, she
had worn her laurels.
When Major Burnett called upon her
In the morning he made known more
fully his plans. AS he looked upon her
lovely face and heard again her superb
voice, he was aroused to an enthusiasm
ona would have thought foreign to a
man OF his apparently phlegmatic tenn
When he left her she had agreed to all
his wishes.
She would receive the instruction of
the master he would procure for her:
che would study carefully the part of
Emilia; she would appear in one grand
concert before = chosen audience OF the
great in every branch of art; then, and
then only, would she consent to sign q
contract for regular engagement.
Because, after all !" she said, gayly,
You may find me condemned BY the
voice Of public opinion, and then what
would you do?''
AFTER had expressed my opinion
a. tot he merits Of your voice, my dear
young lady?" he said superbly. "You
will pardon me. but you show great
modestJ"-te hated TO say ignorance
OF his reputation as critic ard art
onnoisseur-great "modesty. I fear
you will not retain That humble opinion
Of yourself year from now; you will I've
like the rest of the world, then fully
conscious Of your merits. We allare', > he
added quickly, as he saw the swift
f1ush rise to her fair young brow. "Now
once more, If you will SO honor me-"
and he led her to the piano with the
courtly grace he had found 80 taking
with women.
''She Is wonder,'a marvel. Hail." he
said, enthusiastically to his friend that
London next season. If only ! had
would snap my fingers ut Fate hap
py mani"
It was the eVe.,tful night Of Ethel Fer.
rier's debut, the night would set the
seal Of public opinion upon Major Bur-
nett's dictim-the night which would
make or mar her prospects.
The great hall was filled with the Sc
lect audience come to sit in Judgment
upon the young singer. London bad
contributed its renk and fashion, its
learning and wealth. Certainly Ethel
could feel that nothing had been omitted
which could give elegance and tone to
her first appearance in public AS can"
didate for public favor.
First of all there was an orchestral
overture, to whlcI every one listened
with well.bred attention, but with a
slight enthusiasm; then followed DASH
ing and brilliant pianiste, who played
one Of her own clever compositions; but
every one had heard Madame Artljta be-
fore, and waited, therefore, with some
what unf1attering listlessness fer the ap-
pearance of the young debutante.
At last she came a slight, beautiful
girl, with a marvellous ease and grace of
manner.
Blase opera-goers reused themselves
to interest; languid fine ladies allowed
themselves to look eareriy at the lovely
creature in her floating white draperies
with great clusters of pale-pink roses al
her throat, leop el her e., dress and lying
Ear too beautiful" whispered one
passee Incidentally to her neighbor, "tt
have a good voice or any other ta
lent"
| "You think So" returned the other
smilinely, q young countess, noted alike
for her wit and beauty. There are few
of US gifted with your penetration, dear
Lady Flora. You really alarm me al
times, you detect SO quickly the slighes
flaw JIM Ones atmot."
"Her manner is the perfection of ar
since it admirably conceals what art hal
taught" said another, a long hairet
young artist, examining critically through
his lOrgnette the fresh innOce mt face ant
graceful form.
"Wait until we hear her." said the
fair counte> 8, gayly; 'better to keep ou7
wit and criticism until then. Her sue
cess or her failure may inspire us to "a,
something brilliant"
1t was the realization Of Ethel's dream
All those faces before her were merely
visions, such AZ she had seen that nigh
In her quiet room; she knew they wer,
around her, but their presence embar
tassed her less than when she had fell
them with het in the stiffness Of thai
April night,
She heard the opening chords of tn,
Accompaniment. she saw the major
anxious face just below her, and coul(
not, for the life of her, repress Quee
feeling of amusement at what his dis
comfiture would be- should she fail.
1h0n oon0-0QnU a 4
sang before.
| It was song which the young Italia
nad written for her, a song whict
breathed the soul of Italy in it's raptur
BUS sweetness. Eyes that HAD not wep
for years saw the white robed singer
:hrouRh mist; women dropped their
faces behind their fans to hide from 9th
er eyes the tears which filed their own
Fuller, clearer, sweeter the marvellous
voice rose and scared through the va.'
hall with the fresh, ecstatic melody of {
tark>s silvery notes, then 1t died down t
silence which can be felt-and Ethe
knew what is meant by swaylng ant
stirring the hearts of men.
The encore which followed she die
not respond to, but after awhile she
again came forward to receive perfect
ovation.
hktNn 6no SAuk-IlI0 1duAC eCoAC "ess
enacted: az she finished her song, those
nearest to her detected rich rose flusl
rise to her exquisite face, and noticed
that glance of recognition seemed to
| fash from her eyes to the eyes of soaI<
one in the audience.
/ Behind the scenes the ovation contin
Iued. With sweet, shy lips she answer
| ed the words of her great and talented
admirers, the rose still pulsins in hel
cheek.
But she cared for it all 80 little. for ,
few minutes before she had seen accOsl
the sea of faces that of Harold Carew.
Madame Ardira's brilliant playing EN-
piled the room of all save Ethel and Ma
Iior Burnett.
"You are satisfied that was not mis-
taken?" he said, exulting!y.
at mas been too wonderful" she an
swered. softly, straining her ears for thu
sound of that we]l-known step.
"You are not afraid to occasion me I
terrible loss now, l fancy" he went on
smilingly. "The world shall see yo.
and hear you as Emilia, after ALL"
But she was paying no heed to him
abe was across TIE room, her hand