The Washington herald., 1906-12-27

and he hurried TO the dOOrkeeper for his
report
What did nademoisene say?" he de-
manded. eagerly.
'Stingy," grinned the unsympathetic
soul, and Award slowly passed out.
But The slight was forgotten the next
day. and only the memory Of that perfect
voice remained. From the press agent
be begged one OF her photographs, and
when he came home at night. tired and
dIsheartened. he looked upon her youth
full face and seemed 10 hear again the
liquid sweetness OF her singing.
1t was several months before she came
again. Award feared that perhaps the
hard work. The singing in smoke-hlled
music halls, had spoiled her tones, but
she did not strain for high notes. and
her voice retained its clarity and fresh
ness.
II seemed an intecminable time after
ne took his place before she came on,
ana again, after her appearance, the mo-
ments dragged woefully. but they were
TO b. endured for the sake of those mo-
menJary uplifts TO paradise, and he was
content.
Several times, when the sketches were
on, he left his place and prowled about
the stage in the hope OF gaining speech
with her, but she always was dressed
and out before the sketch brought him
an internission from his labors.
As the week progressed these repeated
disappointments preyed upon him, and
he grew more and more gloomy. Satur-
day night came all too soon, and II
was with an aching heart that he opened
her music to play her accompaniment for
the last time.
Gertie had put in a new song 10 try
the last night. II was a popular ballad,
one that had Just come out, cheaply
constructed, but with a slow melOdic
chorus They had tried It over in the
music room before the performance, and
he had liked 1t then. Now the melody
seemed to fiji his heart. and he put all
Of his artistic soul into the interpreta-
ton of the chorus. The other musicians,
as II by common impulse, lowered their
instruments, and the wailing tones Of the
violin formed such a perfect accompani-
ment 20 the voice that as the strains
swe!led out the audience suddenly grew
quiet. Twice the chorus was repeated,
and the bathos Of the words became
pathos when sung 10 the s0bbing accom-
pauiment 'of the violin. Now the chorus
was ended, and the singer looked up ex
pectantly.
For a moment the audience sat silent.
as If in the presence OF death Then
great outburst of applause swept down
from the gallery, to be met with dem
onstration from the lower floor. Three
times Benson played over the ''vamp'-
the short symphony between the verses
before the house became quiet again
Then Gertie began, and the house was
hushed. At the chorus the other players
settled back. and once more the duet be-
tween violin and voice thrilled the hear
ers. Again the applause Numbered out.
The singer bowed repeatedly, but still the
handclapping continued, and she leaned
over the foOtlights. Get Up and take
a bow" she shouted Push him up.
Benson
The leader guided Award to his feet,
and he stood there abashed by the SEN
sation he had created. Three times they
repeated the double chorus, and even
then the stage manager had to ring up on
the next act and hold the curtain up be-
fore the house would quiet down.
Presently the call boy pOked his head
through the trap and handed a note to
Benson. He turned to Award. Miss
Clayton wants to see You in her dress
ROOM" he said. Never mind this
act; can get along"
Weak and trembling from the reac-
ton, Award slipped out of the orchestra
pit and presently presented himself before
the singer.
What's your Manner she demanded
curiouSly.
Pierre Award" he said, hesitatingiy.
Sounds good for the bills" she said,
critically. Say, we'd make a great
team. Something like the three Du-
monds' stunt-street singers, you know.
I'll fix Benson all right. VIII you
conner"
''MademoiselIe wishes my services?' he
asked. haltingly. unwilling to believe that
such good fortune could be true.
Sure thing" she confirmed. I'VE
stopped the show. Well be headliners.
Want to double up?'
Double up?' he repeated, wonderingly.
''Mademoiselle does me the honor OF pro-
posing a matrimonial alliance7''
Gertie eyed him curiously. To double
I'D meant to form team. Then an idea