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

Through the dusky skin OF his companions
checks a red glow burned
DO not add that to your troubles" he said
quietly; MIR. Luttrell knows where he has
gone"
"Luttren knowsI The yillainl Are you
sure2'
The boys own mother told me So"
Guy made 4 movement as IL to leave the
room. His companion laid his hand detair-
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 ii 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 gentle touch on the shoulder
Don't despair, sir the boy added-and
the words We're spoken in so jubilant 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 Wen triumph over your enemies.
What / came tonight to ask is that you
should allow me 30 I'LL the missing boys
place and take the solo"
Your Hallam sprang from his seat in
amazement and, seizing the boys shoulder,
gazed deep into his clear eyes Your he
repeated, and then released him with 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 a kindly lad, but
this is no simple hymn-tune to be sung at
sight 1t is the whole soul of the cantata."
IL know tie boy persisted. 81 have
heard il more than once. / am not bad
musician in a small way My schoomaster
used to take good deal of pains with me-.
Trust it to me, and | think may promise TO
do II as well as young Estwick."
In spite of himself Guy lallam hesitated.
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 sen sing few lines
OF IT," he requested
But the boy drew back and refused pos
lively.
NO" 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 WAIVER between possible failure
and positive defeat. Already have stayed
here longer than | ought; you must make
your deciS on at once"
The young man stood for moment In
doubt the he took a step forward and I'M
pulslyely laid his hand on that of his compan-
ion.
my boy" he SAIL, "if trust you, you
Npr tyh n
depends on my success tomorrow 1t will
kill me If my work proves failure or, If it
does not, l shall kill myself. This is not an
other trick TO ruin me and break my HEARTH
mo, no, STRIP the boy exclaimed holly.
Give me your confidence, and will lay
down my life sooner than forfeit it, If
don't sing your music as it deserves 10 be
sung it won't be for want of doing my best. "
The young man was quite carried away by
the boys enthusiasm.
~ believe YOU" he said 'and trust you
with what is dearer than life to me. IL we
fail, shall thank you all the same. And
now, by-the-bye, what is your namew
For moment his companion looked as II
the simple question embarrassed him
'Hary Sisson," he muttered at last; and,
before Hallam could interrogate him further,
he had slipped downstairs, and was lost in
the night
The production of Guy Hallams cantata
was the most fashionable event which had
taken place at Downbury for a long time.
Amateurs of music who knew nothing about
the new cantata-f0r Guy had worked in the
strictest secrecy-spoke of II as being work
of marvellous genius and one which, not
outstanding It's slender proportions, would
take rank among the classics. Other musi-
clans who prOfessed to be well informed con-
demned il In toto, and would not grant 1t
one redeeming point. OF these the eX-organ-
list, the offended Luttrell, was the leader.
But friends and foes agreed as TO 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 induccment to
throng TO witness it, and the comments were
many on the foolish self-conhdence OF the
proper trustfulness, according as the speakers
viewed it, of the young composer who could
submit his maiden effort 10 such a 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 Ilallam'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 brilliancy 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, but, now that the moment Of
trial was come, cool and resolute. He look
ed down at the crowded church; and pres
emily he saw his sister enter. A hasty glance
AT his watch showed him that the appointed
hour was almost reached He turned round
quickly. and saw that the place Of the boy
who had come to him on the previous night
was empty. Cold drops gathered on his
brow.
81 might have expected It," he muttered;
and yet his heart was full Of surprise and
disappointment he could not account for.
He turned again TO 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 chors-
Ter stood beside him. At the same moment