Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-02-12

while, and you shall see that in
woman's heart is no love like the
love of fame The applause of kings
against the tame commonplace of a hus-
bands affection! Nonsense, Guy, you
are behind your age! Fred Browning,
late of the-the, old Grey, with a glitter
ing bait can give the odds to handsome
Alfred Temple Still, will be generous /;
he shall have a complimentary ticket
during the season."
'Most kind, most noble. But we shall
see what we shall see."
(Which will be Miss Percival as Julia,
the new prima donna with the face of an
angel and the voice of the bird | heard
this morning. Give up, indeed !" The
gallent majors face of disgust was study
as he left the room.
In her own room Mary Percival sat
alone pondering over the strangers
words. The one regret her proud heart
had ever experienced since she had be-
came Alfred Temples promised wife, was
that she was a pennileSs orphan. Now,
while he should be toiling for her in his
far Mexican home, she, too, could win
laurels and wealth. She had never been
farther from her quiet village home than
to the neighboring county town; she
knew as much of the world and its pleas
urcs and miseries as her little baby-cousin
sleeping peacefully in its mothers arms
in the next room.
She had listened to Major Browning's
description of what her reception would
be by the world; she had seen herself in
the crowded concert room, had heard the
applause of cultivated audience, or, bet
ter still, had felt the rapt silence as her
voice thrilled all hearts. And then
Alfred! First to glory in her triumph,
first to share in her fame-hOw delighted
he would be when the world should rem
der its homage to her.
When Major Browning called upon
her in the morning, he made known more
fully his plans. As he looked upon her
exquisite face and heard again her rich
voice, he was aroused to an enthusiasm
unusual to man of his somewhat phleg-
matte temperament
When he left her she had agreed to all
his wishes. She would receive the in
struction of the master he would procure
for her; she would carefully study the
part of Julia; she would appear in one
grand concert before 4 chosen audience
then, and then only, would she consent
to sign contract for specified length
of time
Because, after all" she said gaily,
''you may find me condemned by the
voice of public opinion, and then what
would you do2"
"After l had expressed my opinion as
to the merits of your voice, my dear
young lady" he said superbly." "You
will pardon me, but you show great
modesty''--he hated to say ignorance Of
his reputation as art critic and connois-
seur--"great modesty. | fear you will
not retain that humble opinion of your
self a year from now; you will be like
the rest of the world then--fully con-
scious of your powers. We all are" he
added quickly, as he saw the swift flush
rise to her fair young cheek. "Now,
once more, if you will so honor me, " and
he led her to the piano with the courtly
grace he had found SO taking with women.
"She is a wonder, a marvel, Guy" he
said enthusiastically to his friend that
night; 'she will be revelation to all
London next season. If only | had that
contract signed by that fairy hand, I
would snap my fingers at Fate--a happy
man.
1t was the eventful night of Mary Per-
cival's life--the night of her debut; the
night which would set the seal of public
opinion upon Major Browning's dictum;
the night to make or mar her prospects.
The great hall was comfortably filled
by the select audience hidden to Judge
of Major Browning's discovery London
had contributed her rank and fashion,
her learning and wealth to give elegance
and tone to Miss Peraivals debut. The
leading papers had each sent its reporter
armed with pencil and notebook to lot
down his impression of the young debu-
tante.
First of all there was an orchestral
overture to which every one listened
with well-bred composurc and lack of
enthusiasm; then followed q dashing and
brilliant pianiste in one of her own dash
ing compositions; then blase opera-goers
reused themselves to interest; languid
fine ladies allowed themselves to look
eagerly at the beautiful young creature
who came forward with all the ease and
grace of manner born of mate refinement.
A lovely girl in the floating white drap-
cries with clusters of red berried holly
looping her dress and lying against the
chestnut waves of her hair
1t was the realization of Mary's dream.
All those faces before her were merely
visions she had seen that night in her
quiet room; she knew they were around
her, but their presence embarrassed her
less than when she had felt them with her
that still April night. She. heard the
opening chords of the accompaniment,
she saw the ma ior's anxious face and could
not, for the life of her, repre- Is the queer
feeling of amusement which took posses
sion of her for the moment. Then she
sang-sang as never woman sang before.
1t was a song which the young Spaniard
had written for her. song which breathed
the soul of music in every rapturous note.
Eyes that had not wept for years saw
the white-robed singer through mist;
women dropped their faces behind their
fans to hide from other eyes the tears
which filled their own. Fuller, clearer
sweeter the marvellous voice rose and
scared through the vast hall with the
fresh ecstatic fullness of lark's silver
voice. then it died down to silence-the
silence which could be felt, and Mary
knew what is meant by winning ones
laurels.
She did not respond to the encore, but
later in the evening she again came for
ward to receive perfect ovation