San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-04-23


the people had suddenly sprung into the
light Of fame.
Nor did they cease tn marvel and to inquire
about the singer vino had 50 much Ia do with
Guys success. Whence came he and why
had he never been heard of before? What
was his name? Was he tOwn-bred or straIIg-
or?
The general opinion was that he was a
prOtcgC OF the young composers, kept pur-
pOsely in the dark. in order more effectually
to dazzle and bewlder his hearers.
But as usual general opinion was wrong
and Guy was as completely in the dark as all
the rest. He scarcely waited to hear the last
vibrations of the organ before he turned to
where the young singer had stood, only TO
find his place vacant. He passed through
the congratulating thTOng which surrounded
him, and sought, but sought in vain, for the
vanished boy. As he had come, so he had
departed. The chOristers, on being question
ed, one and all diSclaimed any knowledge of
his whereabouts and, more strangely, de-
clared that were they to meet him, they
should not recognize him. Every inquiry
seemed to be futile, and at last Guy Hallam
went home to his lodgings, with feeling Of
disappointment in his heart quite dispropOr-
tiOnate to the occasion.
After all, he had achieved a signal triumph,
and it was sheer abSurdity, he reasoned, to
feel himself debarred from the full enjoy
ment of it because he who had so greatly
helped was not there 10 share it.
Waiting in his rooms he found his sister
She took both his hands, and her calm eyes
filled with tears.
"Ah, Guy she said simply, 81 thought it
was almost good enough for me to know your
genius: but find am much happier now
the world acknowledges it too
lie kissed her tenderly.
"YOu have always helped me, my dear,
and have been mother to me ever since we
lost our own. Most of the good that is in me
| owe to you. and the greatest joy have in
my success comes from the knowledge that
very soon | sha! b. able to offer you a home
with me. 1t has been cruelty bitter to me to
feel indebted even to you. and to know that,
from my having spent your money, you have
had to live on charity"
''Fidess charity has been by no means
cold, Guy returned his sister, smiling; land
| should not like to leave her now, much as |
love you. She has been 80 good to me.
Was she there" ne asked, turning away
abruptly and lifting, as if absently, the pho
tOgraph Oh the piano. Did she think well
of it?'
''She had a special engagement" his sister
answered, land did not care TO accompany
me-"
There was sudden crash. The picture
had fallen, and the frame and glass were
broken.
1T does not matter, Theo,' he said, as she
made movement to pick up the portrait;
"lrt it lie. It's yaluclcsS to me
His sister smiled slightly. She seemed
cTiOusIy Obvious Of the trouble in his face.
even We're | willing to leave Fides, she
resumed, Il know that a home with you
would be only temporarily established Now
that you have the ball at your feet and a
glorious future awaiting you, you will be sure
TO marry soon; and then | should be turned
adrift again
He sat down mOodly and pushed away the
picture with his foot.
II shall never marry he declared.
Nonsense! Guy" she added, after
pause, don't you think it would be good
thing to fulfil the old mans implied, if not
expressed, desire, and try for Fides?'
'TheO, can you imagine that | could ever
be guilty of so mean an action? You know
she must if ask her-thank Heaven for that
ifl-marry me, or forfeit her fortune. Sure
ly you must see how that precludes man of
honor from even thinking of it. Ordinary
fOrtune-hunters are bad enough, but the
baseSt among them would not stOOp to put
girl into such false position. If | hated
her | could not, and, if | loved heT'-his
voice SOftened, and he bent and picked up
the pOrtrait-''if | loved her thousand times
less, could put before her the two alterna-
tiveS?'
But, if you loved her, Guy''-his sister
laid emphasis on the wOrdS-'why should
the happiness of yOur-and perhaps her-life
be sacrificed to the folly of an old and the
false pride of young man?'
Better sacrifice happiness than honor,
my dear, as you know as well as do, what
ever you may say. Let her keep her fortune
in peace and cOntenment, never guessing
that anything could shake her in its posses
sion; and, whatever she does, may Heaven
bless her! She shall never be troubled by me,
Unless what, my foolish brOther?'
UNLESS should know that she loved me.
There-it's out now, TheO-what | dare say
you have guessed long agO-that FideS is the
only girl have ever cared for or am ever
likely to love! But there is no use in talk
ing about it, and you must put away my Sc
cret in the farthest corner of your heart"
His sister crossed the room and laid her
hand on his hair.
my poor boy" she said very gently, Il
thought knew the symptoms, and, though
am sure you are wrong, honor you for all
you say. Tell me-" she went on abruptly
"whO was that boy who sang SO eXquisitely
to-day? Is he a DOwnbury lad?'
Her brother shook his head
81 wish | knew. If / were superStitiOus, [
should be inclined to say he was not mortal.
He came to me last night in the dusk, and this
morning he appeared and disappeared as by
enchantment."
And his namep'-Miss Hallan was max
ing preparations for departure.
HE calls himself Harry SssOn; but, curl
Ously enough, he seems to be utterly I'M
known. Such voice as that can scarcely
waste its sweetness altogether on the desert
air: and yet"
Yet dare say it is doomed to be cracked
in shouting to the plOugh-hOrses, or chOked
with the river-mists, or something equally
unrOmantic. Now | must 90. leaving you
my advice in the matter-whch is to be con-
tent with results. letting the means remain
uninvestigated."
"Uninvestigated! shall never be happy
till have found him. There is nothing on
earth would not do for the boy who sang
my music as he did. | should be genuinely
unhappy if | thought was never to hear him
sing it again. would do anything and 90
anywhere TO find him.
Goodbye, enthusiast! Now that you be
come excited, shall leave you. Blythe
way" she added, turning as she reached the
door, there is Harry Sisson at Deepdene,
who may be the one you are in search Of.