Connecticut western news., 1900-05-10
HIS TOP NOTE.

Miss Mary Emerson was acknowl- edged to be the prettiest girl in Brad ford
 Among the many who sighed for hen were two who seemed so far advanced in the court they paid that they might be called suitors. One, Charley Norton, was toward the front because he de- served to be there, for he was @ good fellow, bright and earnest, albeit guilty of harmless vanities, not to say the self conceit with which some people charged him. His one dangerous rival was the tra, Theodore Schreiner. Schreiner' ap- parept lead in the race for Miss Elmer sons affections was due wholly to his boundless assurance. The proof of this came to him with unpleasant clearness on the day when he proposed. only to be rejected. Mary let him understand dis tinctly that she was promised to C.ar- ley Norton and that her accepted lover had her entire affection and trust. For a day or two Schreiner was mo- rose and inclined, so he said, to suicide. Then came the annual charity concert, for which a long programme had been arranged Norton, who was 8 popular fellow and good singer, was down for song, and the piece he had chosen was one of his own competitions As manager of the enterprise I mad encour- aged him to sing the thing hadn't heard it and, to tell the truth. cared very little whether or not it was meri- torioua It struck me simply as a good feature to advertise 8 song by a popular local composer, written for the occa- sion," as unblushingly announced in big type on the billboards
 The fact was that Charley had ham, mered out the music in the ecstasy fol- lowing his acceptance by Miss Emerson. and the piece was privately dedicated to her. The accompaniment was ar ranged for the string band. and as it was simple thing there was no neces- sity for . conductor. Schreiner, as first violin, marked the time from his desk as well as played his part in 1t.
 At the rehearsal the song went well. The violinists read their parts without an error, and Charley sailed up to the climax, a very high note, in the most effective style. We were all sure that it would be the hit of the evening and that Charley would score brilliant success with that fetching top note.
 "I hope 30. he said good naturedly, flor if they want @ higher note than that they will be disappointed. It's my limit. couldn't sing a half tone high CT to save my life.
 Evening came and there was crowd ed house. Miss Emerson was in a con- spicuous box with the members of the family. There were an overture, two or three arias by important talent. and a violin solo by Schreiner before 1t came Norton 8 turn Norton was in the green room while 6chreiner's solo was in progress, and then he was approached by Gustave Mollenhauer, the first clar- inet of the orchestra. Mollenhauer looked worried.
 Charley" said he, "did you mean 1t when you said you couldn't sing higher than that top note in your songf" Fact" replied Norton composedly. ''It is B flat Why do you askf" Because those fool violinists, led on
  won't let you sing B fat" "What the mischief do you mean, Gusf"
 "You may we'll use the word mis- chief. Charley. Schreiner has put up . l job on you. When it comes your turn, | every stringed instrument in the band will be tuned upa whole note. Sohrei- ner tells 'em that you want it that way in order to make 8 more brilliant eli max. He wants you to break
 Mollenhauer stopped abruptly, fos Charley was pale as ghost. He had awful visions of the bresk in his voice, if he tried his top note at the high pitch set by Schreiner, the laughter ot the audience, the modification, but, above all, the exhibition of himself b. fore pretty Mary Emerson in the pro scenium box.
 Cant it be stoppedf" he gasped.
 Mollenhauer shook his head. II tried to say something" he answered. ''bui the conductor called me down for mak ing noise. The thing wasn't cooked up till after the men got on the stage You'n have to sing some other note. '"
 And ruin the climaxf It won't do It would spoil the songl But, confount it, what can dof'
 For a moment Mollenhauer wee in q great despair as Charley was Then hil face frightened.
 Have you another copy of the cong r he asked. Charley shook his head gloomily.
 "How many measures is 1t from thu beginning to the top notef'
 | The composer singer counted hil manuscript and answered, "einey seven"
 "All right, then" said the clarinss ist, lyon go ahead and sing your sonI for CT measures; then open your mSufl @ if you were going to lift tho roof an1 keep still. I'll do the rest. Here, let m, zee your copy"
 Feverish With excitement, Mollen hauer examined the song, committing iss final measures to memory. .Charle. saw what he intended to do, and. thougl the singer was somewhat cheered. h
 was yet very nervous What if Mollen
 hauer should count wrongf What if h
 should come in a half measure too sooi
 or 8 measure too latef What if every