Middletown transcript., 1902-10-25

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voice Of uncommon purity and power.
Marie Maynard, = the bills announced,
when he considered her ready for first
appearances, sis the most lovely and ac-
complished artist ever introduced to the
British public" On the strength of this
assurance, cleyerly emphasized by Sin
spired' paragraphs in the newspapers,
crowd of eager, noyelty-loving pleasure
seekers hammered at the doors of the
Shakespeare long before the hour that
they were timed to open.
Julius Benson's anticipations were more
than fulfilled. The British public, or
that portion Of it which frequented places
OF amusement, were in raptures over the
new star. "She sings divinely," they
said, in boxes and dress circle. She's a
reg'lar topper, treat" was the verdict
Of the pit and gallery.
Of course, Mr.. Benson was hugely de-
lighted. "She's fixed by her engagement
with us for three years, and only receives
two pounds week." he said to his
brother directors. ''The Shakespeare is
made.n
'sHow did you manage to secure her so
cheaply?" asked one of the other direc-
tors.
'sOh, she's from the country; innocent,
you know" replied Benson, with a
chuckle.
Time passed on, and Marie Maynard's
fame showed no sign of fading. On the
contrary, her hold on the public grew
stronger and more certain. Of course,
she received offers Of engagements else
where, but Benson's agent had fastened
her. She was not her own mistress.
It was cold winters night in Decem-
Der. The snow had fallen heavily; but
the pavement and roads of London per-
sistently refused to allow it to rest, even
for an instant, upon their bosom. A cold,
piercing wind, wet ground, and air filled
with the fast-falling fakes made the
night air as comfortless as it well-nigh
could be. But the patient, all-suffering
public are not to be spoilt OF their enter
tainment. Marie Maynard was to appear
with new song. and the capacious hall
was crowded from pit to gallery.
The first "turnsn were not out of the
common, and failed to provoke the en-
thusiam Of the audience; low, continu-
ous hum Of conversation drowned the
efforts Of the artists. After she interval,
q silence, deep as death, fell upon the as
sembly. Opera glasses were leveled At
the stage from every part Of the house,
and, as Marie May nard advanced to the
foot-lights, spontaneous cheer burst
from the expectant audience. They had
excellent taste, indeed. Tall and shapely,
with long masses Of light brown hair that
hung untrammeled round her beautiful
head, Marie Maynard might well be the
envy Of her sex, and the admiration OF
all. And her voicel It's deep, thrilling
richness, its wonderful power was we'll.
nigh indescribable. Little wonder was it
that the Shakespeare was proud of its
t.star" artist. She commenced to sing;
but scarcely had she given dozen notes
when, suddenly, voice rose out OF the
pit-a voice whose every tone spoke the
pent-up agony of long grief and weary
waiting.
"It is she-my Jessie! I have found
theer'
Before he could be prevented, the black
smith Of Primrose Garth had sprung
upon the stage, amidst wild storm Of
Kisses Kisses and and similar i.pnlar DE-
rision and anger.
"He is mad; seize linn! Save the girl"
cried the indignant audience. But the
cry died away upon their lips, as they
saw the beautiful singer throw her arms
round the rough intruder's neck-and
then they wondered.
The curtain quickly descended, and the
members Of the directorate who were
present fastened to the back Of the stage
to learn what had happened.
"Are you going on with your songr
asked Julius Benson, as soon as the rela-
tionship existing between the two had
been explained.
''I am tired, father" said Jessie
'I'm tired; take me home"
But, nevertheless, Marie Maynard sung
every other evening in that week. Her
father told her Of his financial difficult
ties, and to Mr.. Benson she said:
II will sing for this week if you will
agree to relieve my father from his liza
bilities."
Vainly did Benson beg, expostulate,
and threaten. Jessie was firm, and he
had to submit. The engagement she had
entered into could-not have been enfor-
ced in court of law.
Jessie, it was explained had been
taken to London by Benson's agent, who
had come across her whilst staying in the
neighborhood. She promised to leave
home secretly, as soon as opportunity Of
fered, aud upon her fathers departure TO
Ironville whittier be had been sum
moned for reasons associated with his
business-she met the agent, and was
driven to tie nearest town, from which
they were soon whirled away to the big
city. you'll make your fortune" he
declared. land your father shall share
it with you"
Ransome told the girl Of his meeting
with Walter Haydn, and how he had ac-
cused him of spiriting her away.
you owe him an apology, " was his re-
ply,
aAnd he shall have it" answered the
blacksmith heartily.
The smithy was soon busy again, the
anvil stood in its appointed place; and
the fire blazed and the bellows roared,
and many a wayworn traveller would
pause outside the forge, amazed to hear q
voice 50 beautiful and so perfectly trained
in such a place. But, if report speak
truly, the smithy and Primrose Garth,
too, will soon lose the singer. Walter
Haydn has claimed compensation for the
blacksmith's assault on him; and he has
got it. 7,
"Jessie is thine, lad" be said, s'thongh
don't like parting with her again. May
be, though" he added slyly, THE parson
won't agree and them