Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1901-07-26

she looked as one transformed. The or
chAstra engaged for the occasion was a
magnificent one; the music swelled out
nightly In wonderful, sOul-stirring
waves. Marcia leaned her voice on Its
beauty and grandeur and sang as one
sings only once or twice in a life
time. Something. she knew not what,
took possession OF her that evening and
glorified every note. The faithful old
singing teacher, who had prayed for
her to fall madly in love and suffer
sharply in order that the power might
be brought out and fullest expression
made possible, would have wept with
joy to hear her. Three times did the
enraptured audience insist upon her re-
turning. Thrice did she repeat her in
itial triumph, with no shadow Of fall
ing of or failure. And Philip Derwent,
listening and watching, felt something
awake within him which was different
from any feeling or experience he had
previously known.
An orchestral number separated his
song from her number, and while 1t
lasted he looked at her dumbly, unable
to say word Of all that he longed to
utter. When, just as the last strong
chord vibrated, he opened his lips to ex-
press his admiration. she slipped from
the waiting room and out into the side
of the hall-to listen to him. as he real
ICED with a thrill.
At first this knowledge threatened to
preston. His heart beat like that Of a
child expecting to be chidden, or of a
novice facing an audience for the first
time. He would not look in Marcia's
direction; he dared not. Then suddenly
thrill of shame swept through him
to be afraid Of a girl who had stead
lastly refused to consider him as any
thing more than the merest of &C.
Quaintances! Shame! He faced her
daringly, his heart beating faster than
ever, and almost lost his breath over
the great surprise which followed his
movement. She was watching him
anxiously, eagerly, her eyes dilating
with something like fear as he stood
there, hesitating. The orchestra rum
bled out the prelude to his song again,
and this time he lifted up his voice and
sang.
Something stirred In the back of his
throat. and 1t seemed as though bands,
hitherto unrecognized. were loOsened;
something stirred under his heart and
he felt like god rather than man.
The marvellous burst of song that fol.
lowed was but the natural expression
Of this new Joy and freedom. And all
the "chilliness" had vanished from
those wonderful top notes.
| He. too. was recalled three times. and
he reached the waiting room again, the
last recall over. In state bordering
on what would have been exhaustion
had he not been 50 uplifted and happy
Marcia met him, cheeks flaming. eyes
sparkling. yet moist and dewy. lips
parted In generous commentator anG
sincerest praise. And Philip. still UNI
der the spell of that wonderful exalta
ton. caught her in his arms and drew
her head down to his breast
MY darling! My dearest" Thu
stage employee, waiting call In thu
corner, smiled, sighed. and considerable
" departed. MY sweetest girl. know
you love meas you know that l wor
ship you. We have told each other al
tonight in our singing"
And the friend who knew most o.
Marcia, coming to the waiting-room tt
congratulate and accompany her home
ward. was treated to the greatest sur
prise of her life. For Marcia lay ii
Philips arms quite meekly. and tn
light Of a newborn gentleness and af
lection almost TRANSPORTED her face
Chicago Tribune.