The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-11-19

bHE fACkD SEA OF UPTUHNED FACES.
Then, with one last pressure of her
mothers hands, the singer glided for
ward and faced the sea of upturned
faces.
From the first tremulous notes
through all to the hush that fell upon
the audience as they leaned forward
forgetting that the singer had ceased,
the mother, leaning forward In her
chair with tightly clasped hands and
lips apart, breathlessly followed each
curve and bend of that dearly famil-
lar voice, knowing that her child's puri-
ty of life, her trials and her joys had all
helped TO give her this power over her
audience.
A wave Of sound f1oated to them
that thrilling sound of the clapping of
thousands Of hands.
Away from it the singer turned
toward the figure in the invalid chair.
As the audience slowly wound its way
out. commenting upon and praising the
singer, a narrow-chested man with a
set ring on a slightly wrinkled right
hand remarked to his companion as he
lighted cigarette on the pavement:
by Jove! that singer looked like 1T
tie girl who used to be In ouh Office
years ago. I'm suah Duh Mistah Brown
would say So"
At last all was over. In the gray of
the early morning the coach containing
the singer and her mother rolled away
from the Auditorium.
They were both silent, busy with
their thoughts, for their return 10 Chi
cago had revived many memories Of for
mer struggles.
At last the mother said Daughter.
do you know this is the commencement
OF Thanksgiving day? How much we
both have for which to give thanks to-
day and always, haven't we?"
As Margaret did not reply, her moth
er laid her hand on her arm and said.
gently: 81 know how thankful you are
that your ambitious dream has come
true, but the thought often comes TO
me, my child, are you happyP"
And Margaret answered, ,thoughtfullv:
"Ies, there is much for which | am
truly thankful. The world saws can
sing to them, and you have been spared
TO listen, TO love the singer. IL there
are shadows in the picture, they are
cast perhaps by the musical heights vet
unclimbed.
is your music-box happy? wonder
II she is! With such a mother and sue
cessful music-boS in her throat she
ought TO be, gifted creature!
And yet you know, mother mine: III
none were sick and none were sad.
what service could we render?' think,
and so should you, IL we were always
glad we scarcely could be tender"
Then they were silent
In few minutes Margaret began 20
laugh (and 10 hear Margaret laugh was
a pleasant thing.) She sad: Now.
mamma. you know you object TO music.
al husband. Well. don't know but |
do myself. Often they are not promis-
ing, admit.
"A real musician with brains. one /
who thinks thoughts, who has "A tenn
permanent Is of this world, yet hears
lnheard melodies. etc. etc. IL that II? /
DO you imagine that's the sort OF n SON
n-law to make your daughter happy? /
Wen, since 30 many good things have
come our way let us be thankful for |
hem. IL YOU are longing for musical
doubtless he will come sing
ng along the road that leads 10 to-mor-
'ow or some day.
Now, there's Bruno Oscar, the "a
nous"-added Margaret. teasingly.
But the rest. after the mothers pro
esting "oh, Marparett' was lost as
he door closed behind them.