The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-09-10


cheeks she stole away. But for the
rest Of the day, bright, merry Madge
was very grave and thoughtful.
The exhibition day at Broughton
Academy arrived, and the big hall was
crowded with the parents and friends
Of the pupils. Among them was Mrs.
Parks, In her well-worn black dress
and bonnet, and beside her a shabby
looking little dried up man, with
shrewd, twinkling eyes, and thin, de-
termined lips.
At length came the singing trial, and
the two girls, Madge, still smiling ana
perfectly at ease, and Loula, white as
death and trembling like a leaf,
ascended the platform.
Madge was to sing first, and took her
place by the grand piano. She looked
so bright and pretty as she stood there
that a murmur of admiration went
through the audience. The professor
had decided that to give the girls an
equally fair chance they should Dotn
sing the same song, and the sweet
Scotch one of "Annie Laurie had
been chosen.
The opening bars were played and
Madge began to sing, and at once every
one was staring, while the girls looked
at each other in Mortified amazement.
What was the matter with the girl?
Never had she sung so wretchedly;
she was simply numbering the song. IL
was a relief to every one when the last
notes died away and a very faint ap-
plause followed. Madge turned away
from the piano with crimson cheeks.
Her eyes filled with bitter tears or
modification for a moment, and her
lips quivered, but, as she turned anu
faced the audience she braVely sup
pressed all signs of emotion.
In the meantime Loula had taken her
place at the piano. She felt rather
dazed, but her heart was beating
quickly, and she had forgotten her
fright in the new hope which was
thrilling her. Madge had failed; IL
was in her power to win. She listened
to the opening cords without any ner-
vousness whatever. and the next mo
ment, her voice rang out clear, sweet,
strong, as no one had ever heard be-
fore.
When the last, sweet, lingering noe
died away there was burst OF enthus-
iastic applause, and there could be no
doubt as to who had won the prize.
The girls all stared in amazement as
Loula went down the long hall to re-
ceive it. They could hardly recognize
their shy, pale schoolmaue in this girl
who, with crimson checks and spark
ling eyes, and that cloud of yellow hair,
was almost beautiful. There were only
two, however, who could fathom the
uepth of the JOY throbbing in the girls
heart. -.
And. when it was all over, Madge
went up to her, and kissed her. r.,xz,- =
Il am very glad you succeeded" she.
said quietly. - =.
'"Thc color rushed in hot tide all
over Loula's face and the, tears sprang
to her eyes; She put out one hand tim
idly. to detain Madge, and her lips
parted as though she were about to
speak; but Madge turned quickly away
and in few moments had left the
school. When she was in the carriage
which was to bear her away, to the
conservation OF her parents, she sud
denly burst into tears.
Some seven years later a singer, OF
whom great things were prophesied,
made her debut at a concert in Paris.
She. was a slender, pale-faced girl. with
a mass CT beautiful golden hair. AS
she came on the stage pretty, brown
eyed young girl, evidently American,
lent forward in the audience with
smothered exclamation. The next mo-
ment she drew long, deep breath as
the rich wonderful tones OF the. singer
floated through the room.
There was a breathless hush until
the last note died away, and then
tnunders of applause. In answer 10
the enthusiastic encores the young
singer came forward to sing again. AS
she stood for a moment irresolute she
harpened to encounter those brown
eyes fixed so eagerly upon her. A
cuick change passed over her face,
her blue eyes grew soft, and filed, for
a moment, with tears, then, in voice
tremulous at first, she sang, as no one
had ever heard it sung before, the
sweet song annie Laurie. ."-Chaper-