Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-08-18
The Awakening
 of Ethel
Copyright, lso4. by Daily Story Pub. O.,
By H. M. PLACER

THRILL Olu not huOW WnSuCS SuS came or whither she was bound. All she knew was that she did not be- long to the Flannigans, who raised her In so kindly manner and understood her so little, and that she was impelied 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 im- pulse within her to sing.
 The F1annigans considered it little short of a 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- tion and made her different from the other children But the approval or dis approval of the F1annigans made not the slightest difference to Ethel and she went on singing, oblivious to surround ings.
 She was IA when Oppenstein, the great theatrical impressario, happened to drive through the street where Ethel lived and heard her singing. Oppen- stein stopped his cart at once. He. knew a voice when he heard 1t, did Oppen- stein, and he recognized the clements 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 sufficient before he put her on the stage. Still the two years gave the girl a 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 noth-. 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 year did Ethel win praise for herself and money for sOppen- stein, when the astute manager made a fatal error He had been watching her sing, from a box, and after the per- formance made his way to her dressing i room. She had thrown off her stage costume and donned her simple street dress. Oppenstein. who was suscepti ble both to music and beauty, had been i snthralled by the passionate power with which she had rendered 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 1 and she was his and he had come to claim his own. She did not understand him at first. When she did she turned ]. and fled Oppenstein pursued, but was , too heavy.
 Never mind," said he, to himself. "There is plenty of time" Then he went to the club and ordered wine
 But he had made mistake. Ethel did not return The bill was changed and Oppenstein cursed his luck.
 
 In a distant city-as far as EtheTs money could take her-she stood on the street and listened to beautiful voice :. An Italian boy was playing a violin and singing passionate love song. He had good voice, but the performance l lacked something People passed by, but few and small were the coins that | {v,&a %ho hoA xysr1 formance was nearly perlsct, but the lads voice lacked something.
 Let me sing it with you" said Ethel, 1 going to his side.
 Looking at her suspiciously and won- dering, he started again. Before half dozen bars were finished the violin rang with new vigor, the voice of the lad had steadied into more certain tone, while l passers by stopped to listen to the won l derful harmony. Before the song was