Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-05-07


iications. AS heart searching love
affair is supposed to be developing to
the human voice, especially of the tenor
variety, Marcia may be supposed to-
have rendered large numbers of rising
tenor singers valuable assistance ON the
road toward fame. She had grown
rather weary of this pastime and of
tenors when Philip Derwent made his
appearance in her world.
Most music lovers went wild over
Philip, praised him unreservedly, but
Marcia tossed her head in disdain.
Gold as the polar regions. that
voice. was her verdict. Not even
wine would take the chill off those top
notes"
Love" suggested the friend who had
most intimate knowledge of Marcia's
numerous but not, perhaps. utterly I'M
selfish efforts in behalf OF rising sing
ers
Perhaps" replied Marcia enigmat-
ically. but il takes n lot of trouble te
do some things"
Marcia was still undecided as to
what to do with her voice and her Won
derful vocal training. The friend who
knew her best was more puzzled than
ever. But for the time being she was
all enthusiasm about her music. The
pure enjoyment of singing possessed
her night and day. She appeared in
the little anteroOm of the big hall early
on the night of the concert. dressed to
perfection, all radiant and sparkling
and charming delightfulness from satin
slippers to shining hair. And her color
came and went in n fashion which set
Philips heart beating wildly as they
waited silently side by side for their re-
spectiye numbers.
Marcia's turn came first. and Philip
slipped into the side of the hall 10
listen. She sang as one translated,
she looked as one transformed. The
orchestra engaged for the occasion
was n 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 III a lifetime. 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 in
sist upon her returning. Thrice did
she repeat her initial triumph, with no
shadow of falling off or failure. And
Philip Dcrwent, listening and watch
ing. 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 it
lasted lie looked mt her dumbly, I'M
able to say n word of all that he long
ed to utter. When, just as the last
strong chord vibrated. he opened his
lips to express his admiration, she
slipped from the waiting room and
out into the side of the hall-to listen
TO him, as she realized with n thrill.
At first this knowledge threatened
TO hamper and hold back his powers
OF expression. His heart beat like
that of a child expecting to be chided
or of n novice facing an audience for
the first time. He wouldn't look in
Marcia's direction. He dared not.
Then suddenly n thrill of shame swept
through him-to he afraid Of a girl
who had steadfastly refused to con-
slider him as anything more than the
merest of acquaintances. 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 rumbled out the prelude to
his song again. and this time he lifted
up his voice and sang.
Something stirred i'm the back of his
throat. and it seemed as though bands.
hitherto unrecogniZed. were loosened;
something stirred under his heart. and
he felt like n 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 n state bordering on
what would have been exhaustion had
he not been so uplifted and happy.
Marcia met him, cheeks flaming, eyes
sparkling, yet moist and dewy. lips
parted in generous commentator and
sincerest praise. And Philip. still I'M
der the spell of that wonderful exalta-
ton, caught her in his arms and drew
her head down to his breast.
My darling! My dearestr' The stage
employee. waiting call in the corner.
smiled. sighed and considerably de-
parted. MY sweetest girl, know you
love me. as you know that 1 worship
you. We have told each other all to-
night in our singing"
And the friend who knew most of
Marcia, coming to the waiting room to
congratulate and accompany her home