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

tne eoncert-hall and listens critically to
London ''Stars"-eyen now IT remembers aud
speaks of that marvellous singing.
The story which Guy Hallam had taken
for his canata was the beautiful story OF
Ruth and the words which the wonderful
voice took up were the tender ones which
have been loved for centuries and will be
loved while the word lasts" Intreat me not
70 leave thee, or 10 return from following
after thee; Tor whittier thou gocSt will go
and where thou lodgest ! win lodge; thy
people shall be my people, and thy God my
God; where thou dlesL will ! die, and there
will be buried
AS the last sounds died away, there was
the sound as Of Sobblng amidst the vast con-
course Of people throughout the great Cathe-
dral; but the composer OF the music which
had so moved them neither heard nor needed
the Involuntary tribute 10 his genius.
Among the crowd that passed ont OF the
huge doors OF Downbury Minister that day
there was not one dissentient voice. Even
would-be cayillcrs were silenced, feeling il to
Dc impossible to say anything which would
not be condemned rs unjust and assigned its
lrue motive The town rang with applause,
and the wires flashed the news to all-ahsorh-
Ing London OF this young genius, this won
derful composer who from the very midst Of
the people had suddenly sprung into the
light of fame
Nor did they cease to marvel and to Inquire
about the singer who had so much to 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 a strang.
err
The general opinion was that he was a
protcge of the young composers, kept pur-
poSely in the dark, In order more eilecmally
to dazzle and bewiider his hearers.
But as usual general opinion was wrong;
and Guy was rs completely In the dark rs all
the rest He scarcely waited 10 near the last
vibrations OF the organ before he turned TO
whore the young singer had stood only to
find his place vacant lac passed through
the congrtulating thrOng which surrounded
him, and sought, but sought in 1sin, for the
vanished boy. As he had come SO he Lad
departed. The chorlsters, on being question
ed, one and all dsclaimed any knowledge OF
his whereabouts, and, more strangely, de-
clared that were they 90 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 signal triumph,
and it was sheer absurdty, he reasoned, to
feel himself declared from the full enjoy
ment Of it because he who had SO greatly
helped was not there to 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, II thought IL
was almost good enough for me 10 know your
genius but | find am much happier now
the world acknowledges il 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 10 you, and the greatest JOY have In
my success comes from the knowledge that
very soon shall be able TO offer you 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
"Fides's charity has been by no means
cold, Guy" returned his sister smiling; "and
] should not like to leave her now, much as |
lbNt Sbus Dlt HAS bttil 80 Htuu W ilNs
WAS she thereg' he asked, turning away
abruptly and lifting, as II absently, the pho
tograph on the piano. Did she think well
of itp'
"She had a special engagement" his sister
answered land did not care 10 accompany
me-
There was a sudden crash. The picture
had fallen, and the frame and glass were
broken.
ut does not matter Theo," he said, as she
made a movement to pick up the portrait;
"let it lie. It's yaueless 10 me-"
His sister smiled slightly. She seemed
curiouslv ublyious Of the trouble In his face
Gwen were willing 10 leave Fides she
resumed, ~ know that home with YOU
would be only temporarily established. Now
that you have the ball at your feet ana q
glorious future awaiting you, you will be sure
to marry soon; and then l should be turned
adrift again"
He sat down moodily and pushed away the
picture with his foot
II shall never marry" he declared.
"NOnsensel Guy" she added, after a
pause don't you think il would be good
thing to fulfil the old mans implied, If not
expressed, desire, and try for Fidesw
"TheO, can you imagine that | could ever
be guilty of so mean an action? You know
how by the terms Of our grandfather's will,
she must If ask her-thank Heaven for that
'ifl--marry me, or forfeit her fortune. Sure
ly you must see how that precludes "A man Of
honor from even thinking Of IT, Ordinary
fortunehunteB are bad enough, but the
basest among them would not st0op 10 put
girl into such a false position. II | hated
her, could not and, If ] loved her'-his
voice softened, and he bent and picked up
the portrait-'if loved her a thousand times
less, could put before her the two altena-
tiyes2'
"But, II you loved her, Guy'-his sister
laid emphasis on the words-"why should
the happiness Of your-and perhaps her-liie
be sacrificed TO the folly of an old and the
false pride Of young mauY
"Better sacrifice happiness than honor,
my dear, as you know a well as do what
ever you may say. Let her keep her fortune
IN peace and contentment never guessing
that anything could shake her in It's posses
sion; and, whatever she does, may Heaven
bless herl She shall never be troubled by me,
uness-unless-
"Unless what, my foolish brother"
"Unless / should know that she loved me.
THERE'S out now, TheO-what | dare say
You have guessed long ago-that Fldes Is the
only girl have ever cared for or am ever
Al O.. Haa .. H.