Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-08-25
The Awakening
of Ethel
BY H. M. PLACER
Copyright, 1901, by Daily Story Pub. Co.,

n THEL did not know whence she
r, came or whittier she was bound
All she knew was that she did not be-
long to the Flannigans, who raised her
In so kindly a manner and understood
her so little, and that she was impelled
by something within her to sing, sing,
sing-always and forever to sing. No
matter how much scolded for wasting
her time or discouraged by sneers,
naught could cover the irresistible i'm
pulse within her to sing.
The Flannigans considered 1t little
short of calamity, not so much that
she was permitted to waste any time
from the household drudgery, but be-
cause 1t seemed to distract her atten-
ton and made her different from the
other children. But the approval or dis
approval of the Flannigans made not
the slightest difference to Ethel and she
went on singing, oblivious to surround
ings.
She was IA when Oppenstein, the
great theatrical impressarto, happened
to drive through the street where Ethel
lived and heard her singing. Open
stein stopped his cart at once. He knew
voice when he heard 1t, did Open
stein, and he recognized the elements
of a great singer beneath the crude
methods of the girl.
The result was that Ethel was placed
under a great master and taught to use
her voice-at Oppenstein's expense. The
training was not so thorough as that
given to some of the darlings of for
tune, because Oppenstein wanted to
realize on his find. So two years were
deemed suficient before he put her on
the stage Still the two years gave the
girl training that could not be applied
to any of the darlings OF fortune under
Herr Heller's tutelage, because the tutor
found different material In Ethel to
work on, and this not only responded to
his direction but also inspired him to
his best work.
So at 16 Ethel appeared on the stage
and her wonderful voice brought her
plaudIts enough and Oppenstein money
in plenty. There had been heard moth
ing like 1t in years. The girl seemed
to have power and passion In her voice
which touched the finest chords In the
breasts Of those who understood music,
while the sweetness and purity of her
voice appealed to all who loved har-
mony.
For more than a year did Ethel win
praise for herself and money for Open
stein, when the astute manager made a
fatal error. He had been watching her
sing. from a box, and after the per-
Torrance made his way to her dressing |
room. She had thrown of her stage
costume and donned her simple street
dress. Oppenstein, who was suscepti- |
BILE both to music and beauty, had been |
enthralled by the passionate power with |
which she had rendered a great love |
song, and was also strongly moved by |
the budding womanly beauty of the girl. |
The thought had come to him that he
had discovered this beautiful creature
and she was his and he had come to
claim his own. She did not understand
him at frst. When she did she turned
and fed. oppenstein pursued, but was
too heavy.
Never mind" said be, TO himself.
There il plenty Of time" Then he
went to the club and ordered wine.
But he had made q mistake. Ethel did
not return The bill was changed and
oppsnstsin cursed his luck.
In q distant eity-as far - Ethsl's
money could take her-she stood on the
street and listened 10 9 beautiful voice
An italian boy vas playing a violin
and singing . passionate love song. He
had q good voies, but the performances
lacked sonsthing. People passed BY,
but few and small we're the coins that
dropped Into the hat The violin per