Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-08-13

prond of her voice, about which she hac
been highly fattered, and though she ant
Loula Parks were acknowledged to hav,
the finest voices in the school, Madge hat
.ever for an instant supposed that hel
own was inferior to Loula's, and the pro
fessor's words were a great blow to hel
pride. "But she shan't have the prize
anyway" she thought, with thrill o.
triumph.
A little later she had occasion to 60 into
the house and to her room. As she passed
Loula's room, the door of which was sjar.
she involuntarily paused as the sound Of
low, bitter sobs fell upon her ears.
"Hush, my darling" Mrs. Parks was
saying; "you may win it after oil. :"
'.No, no, it is impossible, mamma,
1 feel with all those cold, scornful. un-
friendly eyes fixed upon me. None of the
girls like me, you know; haven't single
friend among them all; and I can't have
any confidence in myself. 1t is SO different
with Madge Wilmer; they all love her, and
are ready to think the best of everything
she does. Oh, mamma, how can give up
the hope of my life? 1 feel that it is in me
to be a great singer, and l could make
money so that you and papa would not
have to struggle so hard. Do you think,
mamma, that Uncle John will really do as
he said if fail to win the prize?"
81 know that he will, DEAR" the mother
answered, sadly. "You see, he never
changes his mind, and he hates anything
like failure. He promised to send you to
Paris to have your voice cultivated. on
condition that you won the prize for vocal
music here; but he will not, I am sure,
darling, do so If you fail"
"And shall fall" murmured the girl,
with fresh burst of sobs.
Madge suddenly started as though she
had just awakened to the fact that she was
listening to what was not intended for her
ears, and, with crimson cheeks, she stole
away. But, for the rest of the day, bright,
merry Madge was very thoughtful and
silent, and, more than once, had anyone
loolred closely into the brown eyes, she
would have seen tears in them.
The exhibition.day of Broughton Acad-
emy arrived, and the big hall was crowded
with the parents and friends of the pupils.
Among them was Mrs. Parks, in her we'll
worn black silk and bonnet, and beside her
was little, dried.up man, with shrewd,
twinkljpg eyes, and thin, determined lips.
Mrs. Parks was very pale and very nervous,
and her anxious eyes wandered first to her
daughter, and then to Madge Wilmer
Such a contrast the former so pale and
sad in her plain, white dress, with her long
golden hair unbound and flowing round her
like cloud; and the latter, her pretty face
all smiles and happiness, clad in dainty,
lace. trimmed, white robes, with broad yell
low sash and ribbons, and spray of red
roses twined in her short curls. Was it
any wonder bitter sigh broke from the
mothers lips as she gazed?
At length came the singing trial, and the
two girls, Madge, still smiling, and Loula,
white as death and trembling like leaf,
assembled the platform.
Madge was the first to sing, and she took
her place by the grand piano. She looked
SO bright and pretty as she stood there,
that murmur of admiration went through
the audience. The professor had decided
that, to give the girls an equally fair
chance, they should both sing the same
song, and the sweet Scotch song, "Annie
Laurie" had been chosen.
The opening bars were played, and
Madge began to sing, and at once every
body was staring, while the girls looked at
each other in Mortified amazement. What
was the matter with the girl? Never had
numbering the song. 1t was relief to
everybody when the last note died away,
and very faint applause followed
Madge as she turned from the piano with
crimson cheeks, felt her eyes fill with tears
and her lips culver for moment but, as
she turned and faced the audience, there
was smile on her lips.
In the meantime Loula had risen and
taken her place at the piano. She felt
rather dazed, but her heart was beating
quickly, and she had forgotten her fright
in the new hope that was thrilling her,
Madge had failed; she could win now. She
listened to the opening chords without any
nervousness whatever, and the next mo-
ment her voice rang out clear, sweet, and
strong, as no one had ever heard it before.
When the last, sweet, lingering note
died away, there was burst Of enthusiastic
applause, and there was no doubt as to
who had won the prize. The girls all
stared in amazement as LouIa went down
the long hall to receive it. They could
hardly recognize their shy, pale schoolmate
in the girl with crimson checks and spark
ling eyes, who, with that cloud of golden
hair, was almost beautiful. There were
only two, however-the mother, trembling
with happiness, and brown.eyed Madge
Wilmer-who could fathom the happiness
in the girls heart.
And, when it was all over, Madge went
up to her, and bending her curly head,
kissed her.
81 am very glad" she said, simply.
The tears rushed at once to Loula's eyes;
she put out her hand timidly, to detain
Madge, and her lips parted as though she
were about to speak; but Madge turned
uu;nblu NOV onI in foxu vnnrnapta had
left the school. When she was in the car
riage which was to bear her away, to the
of her parents, she burst into
tears.
Some seven years later, new singer, of
whom wonderful things were prophesied,
made her debut in a concert hall in Paris.
She was slender, pale-faced young girl,
with mass of beautiful golden hair. AS
she came on the stage, pretty, brown
eyed young lady, evidently American, in
the audience, bent eagerly forward with a
smothered exclamation. The next mo-
ment she drew deep, long breath, as the
rich, wonderful voice of the young singer
echoed through the hall.
There was breathless hush until the
last note ceased, and then thunders of ap-
plause shook the building. In answer to it
the young singer came forward to sing
again. AS she stood for moment, irreso-
lutte, she happened to encounter the gaze of
the pair of brown eyes bent eagerly upon
her. A quick change passed over her face,
her blue eyes grew soft, and filled for a
moment with tears; then, in voice which
trembled little at first, she sang, as no
one there had ever heard it sung before,
the sweet song "Annie Laurie"
EMMA HOWARD WIGHT.
BALTIMORE, Md.
Both Ankles Crushed.
To- in 1QTR 7 haI