Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-03-14

llIoueh the huSkY SKIN or MS COMPANIONS
cheeks a red glcw burned.
DO not add that 10 your troubles" he said
quietly; Mr.. Lutirell knows where he has
g0ne.'
Luttrell knowsl The yillalnl Are you
sure2'
The boys own mother told me 500
Guy made a movement as ii to leave the
room. His companion laid his hand detaln-
ingly on his arm.
1T is not Of any use, Mr.. Hallam," he said;
"they would not tell You where they have
hidden him, and, even il they did, he is sent
too far away to be Of any service to you to-
morrow"
The young man sat down again in his old
deSponding attitude. He was presently
reused by a gentle touch on the shoulder.
Don't despair, sir" the boy added-and
the words were spoken in so jubilant a tone
that he looked up in establishment, to see his
companions face flash into beauty with his
words-"don't despair, sir, and with Heay-
ems help We'll triumph over your enemies.
What l came tonight to ask is that you
should allow me to ill the missing boys
place, and take the solo"
"YouW Hallam sprang from his seat in
amazement and, Selling the boys shoulder,
gazed deep into his clear eyes. Your he
repeated, and then released himwith laugh.
"Why, my boy, did you not hear me say that
ii has taken months to teach young Estwick
the part? No no; you are q kindly lad, but
this is no simple hymn-tuue 10 be sung at
sight 1t is the whole soul of the cantata."
Il know" the boy persisted. 81 have
heard ii more than once. / am not bad
musician in a small way My schoomaster
used TO take a good deal of pains with me.
Trust it to me, and think may promise to
do it as well rs young Estwlck."
In spite of himself Guy lallam hesltated.
There was something reaSSuring in the boys
evident sincerity and confidence, and the rich
tones OF his voice themselves pleaded for
him
AT least let me hear you sing few lines
Of It," he requested.
But the boy drew back and refused pos
lively.
mo" he said; "if you accept my Offer
will do my best and l think you will be salts
fed; but you must take me on trust Re
member what you yourself said, that there is
absolutely no one TO sing the part, and con-
slider that you waver between possible failure
and positive defeat Already have stayed
here longer than | ought; you must make
your decision at once
The young man stood for moment in
doubt, then he took step forward and inn
pulsiyely laid his hand on that OF his compan-
ion.
"My boy" he said, "if trust you, you
won't deceive me2 You don't know what
depends on my success tomorrow. II will
kill me If my work proves failure, or, If 1t
does not shall kill myself This is not an
other trick to ruin me and break my heart"
mo, no. STRIP the boy exclaimed hotly.
Give me your confidence, and will lay
down my life sooner than forfeit it, II |
don't sing your music as it deserves TO be
sung, 1t won't be for want of doing my best y
The young man was quite carried away by
the boys enthusiasm.
II believe you" he said, land trust you
with what is dearer than life to me, If we
fail, / shall thank You all the same. And
now, by-the-bye, what is your nameY'
For moment his companion looked as II
the simple question embarrassed him.
"Hauy Sisson," he muttered at last; and,
before Hallam could interrogate him further,
he had slipped downstairs, and was lost in
the night
q The production Of Guy Hallam's cantata
was the most fashionable event which had
taken place at Downbury for q long time.
Amateurs of music who knew nothing about
the new cantata-for Guy had worked in the
strictest secrecy-spoke OF 1t as being q work
of marvellous genius and one which, not
withstanding its slender proportions, would
take rank among the classics. Other musi-
clans who professed to be well informed con-
demned it In toto and would not grant 1t
one redeeming point OF these the ex-organ-
Isl, the offended Luttrell, was the leader
But friends and foes agreed as 70 their in
tention of hearing the first rendering either
TO praise or to condemn. The novelty Of its
being produced for the first time In the Ca
thedral was an additional inducement to
throng TO witness 1t, and the comments were
many on the foolish self-coniidence or the
proper trustfulness, according as the speakers
viewed it, Of the young composer who could
submit his maiden effort 10 such q crucial
test, with the knowledge that there could be
no bursts of applause TO carry away the pub
lie, but everything would be Judged without
the prejudice derived from enthusiasm, and
in cold blood
The day which was to be OF such Import
ance in Guy Hallau's life broke serene and
beautiful, and, later on deepened into per
lection. The afternoon sunshine fell scorch-
ingly on the multitude Of people who wound
their way through the old Cathedral close;
but, as they passed into the long nayes OF the
Minister, the brllancy of the day was tenn
pered by the long shadows that fell as the
peace of the place fell on the spirits of the
crowd.
The supplied choristers were in their
seats, and by the organ sat Guy Hallam, as
white as death, bet, now that the moment Of
trial was come, cool and resolute. He look
ed down at the crowded church; and pres
entity he saw his sister eater. A hasty glance
at his watch showed him that The appointed
hour was almost reached lie turned round
quickly, and saw that the place Of the boy
who had come 10 him on the previous night
was empty Cold drops gathered on his
brow.
~ might have expected it," he muttered;
and yet his heart was full Of a surprise and
disappointment he could not account Tor.
He turned again 10 his organ with feel
ing of hopeless despair and raised his hand
to close the now useless score; but, as he did
so. it was arrested by the light touch on his
arm which had detained him before; and,
looking up, he started, seeing that the choris-
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