Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-08-22
NOT MERELY A VOICE.

concerts with triumphant success, Tor
l never knew what stage fright meant
l suppose it was because | never
thought of myself at all, but merely
listened to the tones of my voice, feel
ing thrills Of delight and JOY as 1t
echoed through the great halls.
Yes, ! gloried in my powers, and in
the appreciatiye applause Of others
And that made trouble between Larry
Wilson and me. | loved and was
willing to marry him, but ! would not
give up my career, as | delighted 10
call it, merely to please his fancy.
For | thought it very selfish fancy,
and said 50, plainly.
If YOU really loved me, Phyllis,
was his invariable reply, you would
yield willingly to my wishes" And
at that point silence at once reigned
1 profound.
| But something happened that put
an effectual quietus on my voice for
some tine. | slept in 4 pretty room
on the ground floor, for | never lad
been nervous in my life. But one ex-
ceedingly sultry night. Wien the win
dows were wide open, | was awak-
ened fror a sound sleep by The sud
den fash of light in my face.
opened my eyes, and there stood a
man. as huge as a giant, it seemed 10
/ my bewIldered gaze. He held the
/ lamp above his head and glared with
great, cruel eyes directly into mine.
4 gave a piercing shrek, which sent
the man headlong out Of the window
Still | kept on screaming. until every
member of the household came run
ming to my room.
Tie next morning ! could ut SPEAK
above Il whisper. and it seemed to ME
1 that my neart would break. Could II
! be that ] never should hear myself
sing again? 1t was too cruel! My
parents sent for a physician. who
made me open my mouth while ne
peered inside, talking of my larnyN
and epiglottis, until he frightened me
quite as much as the burglar He
said ] must have patience; that when
my talking voice returned, probably
my power to sing would also be re
stored.
cried nearly all the time for three
days. Then Larry came and asked ne
to marry him right off. Men seem
to think that proposals of marriage
must BE wonderfully soothing; they
may be so at times, but rot always
Yet loved Larry dearly, and his
! tender words were very satisfactory
I and sweet to hear. | vas humble jusl
then. and talked in what | am sure
must have been a touching way about
my being poor, MANNED, miserable
creature. very different from the cir
l had formerly been
Larry 4ombatted all ] said. an
afraid lie did not regret the loss Of my
voice very much. But such magnan
Unity could hardly be expected, ever
Of him. OF course, he was sorry FOL
me. but then the obstacle in the way
Of our marriage was now removed
He could he eloquent when he chose
and finally i whispered in his ear 4
could not do anything but whispet
that | would marry him in month
Then all was hurry and confusion
in the excited household in prepare
ton for my wedding. My twi
younger sisters were all eagerness
and so full Of merry life and tail
that | almost forgot my great afilic
ton. and grew more cheerful. Bu
one day. as sat sewing in my room
/ happened to think of an operatii
mir | was fond of. and forgetting my
recent misfortune in good earnest.
gave utterance TO the sounds tina
haunted me. the rich, full notes swell
ING higher aud louder as in wondei
and ecstacy | tested my returning
powers. Springing from my seat
threw back my head and expressed
my delight in one loud strain of tri
umphant melody. Then my mothei
and sister appeared with words q
eager congratulation.
..can II be that your beautiful voice
has come back for goodf hey al
asked. and in reply ! allowed ,anothe
happy paen 70 confirm the glorionl
truth.
phyllis said Maud. the nightin
gales themselves will envy YOU"
They Rugged and kissed me unit
Ruth suddenly drew back saying:
Now, she viii not he married, 2nt
All those lovely dresses nave beef
made for nothing.
No. ndeedrs answered quickly
VT Larry objects II me because
have my voce again. those dresse
viii do for concerts, as | shall accep
the first offer receive 70 sing IN pub
liz. want all my friends to know
that | am no longer . mute, But
must send word To the boy at once
shall pretend that think he u De
lighted.