Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-06-25

Little turned idly to watch the group,
they began to sing the popular songs
of the day, after which the monkey
took off his cap and held it for con
tributions. As the crowd increased,
drawn by the shouts of laughter
elected by the monkeys begging, the
shower of coins grew too valuable
for the monkeys handling, so the
nan drew the little beggar to his
shoulder and took off his own hat.
handing his guitar TO his companion.
The woman, to Titles surprise, in
stead of continuing with the class of
music that had at first attracted the
crowd, struck a few chords and began
the serenade from Don Pasquale."
The voice of the singer lacked vol
ume, but was so pure and managed
with such consummate art, that the
listeners were from the first sur
prised and interested. Although at
times the oma seemed rather to
sigh than sing, the articulation was
so perfect that not a word was lost.
Even at his distance Little caught
the lowest notes, and their penetrat-
ing c%learness touched a chord in his
nature that had not vibrated in years.
Here was an ineXplicable emotion!
He sought to explain it by the dream
ing In which he had been giving him
self up, and which had worked upon
his Imagination. Nevertheless, he
pressed his way closer into the crowd
to get a better view of the singer.
When that song was finished, some
one called for a selection from Car
men, The woman shook her head,
fearing her voice was not powerful
enough for such dramatic music, and
chose instead a Miserere. The poor
soul had reason toavoid a score whose
impassioned strains surpassed the
range of her broken voice. BY the
time the Miserere was ended. some
of the crowd had moved on, giving
Little n chance to join the front row
One glance into the face of the art
list who had sung the serenade made
him draw back. Then he looked
again in horror. In spite of her age
(she seemed to have passed 40) and
in spite of the drawn features and
parchment. like skin, the woman bore
a strange resemblance to the beau
tiful Veronica Delmar. There were
the same loose locks of hair waving
| nuo,, , Iona fnrnJn,J t1a c,,,, lnn.
eyes, the same scornful mouth that
when the coins jingled generously
into the hat, frightened with a weary
smile. The sloping shoulders ant
graceful head were carried as proud
ly is in the old days. Was all this
merely Il trick of the imagination
Little asked himself, or was this in
deed the proud, ambitious girl who
had n been so cruel? The singer
was certainly about the age Veronic;
must be, wherever she was, but tn,
puffy eyelids, the sunken cheeks, thu
tawdy dress, all told of years of mis-
cry and debauch. Although he as
sured himself over and over this wa:
only u chance resemblance, he coult
not take his eyes off the woman's
face, so like and yet so strangely un
like was she to the beautiful girl o.
20 years ago.
When, in turn, the woman took tn,
hat to offer it for contributions Lit
tie drew slightly aside so that sh'
would have to go beyond the circle t.
reach him. Dropping a much heavie.
coin into the old hat than it had eve,
felt before, he caused the woman t.
look up quickly into his face, will
a smile of gratitude. This gave hin
a chance to settle his doubts.
Veronica" he said impulsively.
The woman started ~nervously, ant
fixed her great eyes upon him.
Il am one of your old friends" III
continued, 'do you remember me?"
At that moment the man came VI
to her to get his hat, and the fac
of the singer showed her fear O
him. She gave Little Il warming
glance, and turned hastily aside. Sh
seemed to be struggling between he
Inundated pride and aroused cu
riosity. At last, taking up the gui
tar, she moved a step or two to
ward Little, and began:
lie parlate damon"
Her clear, penetrating tones ros
in the stiffness of The night like
melancholy echo of the past:
"Oh care for
Ditele che Iadoro.'
The choice of ''The Flower Song
dissipated Titles last doubt. Thi
was the voice that had charmed hi
youth and shattered the dream of hi
first love.
When the crowd grew tired and be
gan to dispense, the singer turne'
down toward the Italian quarter. Lit
tie following at a short distance
The woman, too, loitered a few step
behind her companion, hoping, pei
haps, for one more word with thi
link with her happy past. But at tn
side entrance of a cheap little wine
shop the man stopped and turne
with an imperious Veronica vieni!
With a slight shrug, as if nothin
mattered much any way, the woma
FASTENED her steps and both disaE
peared behind the swinging DOORS
San Francisco Argonaut.