The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-03-17

anger anu tue VOICE OF Ine Dlru uedTu
this morning. Give up, indeedr 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 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
ures 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 a 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 o.
grand concert before a chosen audience
then. and then only, would she consent
to sign contract for a 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 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 you$
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 a revelation to all
London next season. If only l had that
contract signed by that fairy hand,
would snap my fingers at Fate-a happy
man.
1t was the eventfuI night of Mary Per
civals 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 Percivals debut The
leading papers had each sent its reporter,
armed with pencil and notebook 10 jot
down his impression of the young debu-
tante
First of all there was an orchestral
overture, TO which every one listened
with well-bred composure and lack Of
enthusiasm; then followed a dashing and
brilliant pianiste in one of her own dash
inc 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.
Ii 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
I less than when she had felt them with her
that still April night. She heard the
opening chords of the accompaniment,
she saw the majors anxious face and could
not. for the life Of her Tepress the queer
feeling of amusement which took posses
sion Of her for the moment. Then she
sane--sang as never woman sang before.
! It was a song which the young Spaniard