The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1906-03-16

|
innocent as we are"
But she doesn't need this chance.
mother, and l do"
True, dear, you couldn' expect her to
refuse the invitation because of that
especially when she is ignorant of the
fact. You will look at the matter diff
ferently after the keenness of your disap
poIntment has worn off. lean trust YOU
to be good, dear, and when you find the
chance to do little kindness for Miss
Oils, it will help you more than it will
her."
"Kindness-never." declared Marion.
emphatically. But Mrs. Wood only
smiled wisely and waited
The evening Of the concert arrived.
Again the great stage was occupied by
orchestra and singers Evening dresses
and tiuttering ribbons transformed the
platform into a rainbow of delicate lines,
with background of somber black
where the gentlemen sat.
| Between the conductors rostrum and
the auditorium was seated Madame
| Scarlati, the visiting soIoist, whose fame
had attracted an unusually large audi
ence.
In the front row of sopranos sat Mar
guerite, respondent in silk and pearls.
Beside her sat Marion, without Jewels or
laces, yet looking very sweet in her
simple gown of white, with her abundant
brown hair arranged in coronal and in
its thick braids single crimson rose.
The opening chorus was sung magnif-
Gently, and at last Madame Scarlati
rose. High and clear her voice SCARED
| away over the audience sweet and soft it
| rippled back, to end in a burst of melody
that carried hearts by storm. TIE
listeners applaudcd with enthusiasm,
and Marguerite spoke.
81 can never do it," she said, tremulous-
ly.
'Do WHAT" asked Marion, withdraw
ing her fascinated gaze from the singer
and turning it to the pale face at her side
That aria. Could pipe up my weak
little voice after hearing herr"
Il think you will be obliged to-" re-
piled Marion, coldly.
ooh, cannot you do it tor me, please.
You sing it much better than /. You
should have been chosen in the first place.
Oh, do sing it! I've been getting worse
and wore all the evening, until now Pm
almost frightened to death. You mustn'
~ will not" was the decided reply.
81 shall not crowd myself into the pro-
gramme unlimited"
"Oh, l know I'm acting silly, but l
never realized what it would be- Look
at that dreadful sea of faces out therel
And Madame Scarlati And the Stabat
Mater comes next! Oh, can't can't.
Won't you, Marion?"
"Most certainly not. You are most
absurd
The baton tapped the stand for atten-
ton. The chorus rose, the orchestra
began. With grim satisfaction Marion
heard the shivering breaths beside her.
Maguerites pretty color had vanished
and her big, frightened eyes looked out
from pale, drawn face.
At last the solo was reached. Weak
ly her voice chimed in-weakly and tremu-
lousy. Professor Morosini glowered
darby and nodded fiercely. Madame
Scarlati put up her lorgnette and turned
to view the singer: She nerved herself
for the second phrase-she must do it,
But only little way ahead doomed
those intricate turns, and most awful of
all, that high c. She could never do it
if they killed her for the failure.
In terror she stumbled while chorus and
orchestra tried to make amends The con-
ductor's face was like a thunder-cloud,
and ripple of amusement passed over
the audience. In Marion's ears there
rang above erything else part of a
sentence: DO little kindness"
How could she swallow her pride and
sing unbidden the part that had been
denied her?
"Do little Kindness" she heard again.
A wave of pity for the poor young thing
beside her surged up and washed the
bitterness away. Suddenly under the
weak. faitering solo there slipped sup
porting voice, clear smooth round.
The agony on the conductors coun-
tcnance gave way, and the chorus re-
Taxed their tension and Madame Scarlati
dropped her lorgnette and smiled: On
through the difficult passage the velvet
voice went, true, unerring, reaching its
climax unfalteringly on the dreaded high
c.
She had her reward; The storm of ap-
plause from the appreciative audience
rivaled that which madame herself had
won. And after the concert was over
Professor Morosini thanked her with an
earnestness that left no doubt as to his
sincerity and added
by the way, Miss Wood, tomorrow l
have to meet a committee who who de-
sire competent soprano for choir posi-
ton. l think you will suit them; and the
salary is good. Two O'Clock tomorrow
my studio"
Then madame Scarlati came and took
her hand, and said:
at was beautifully done my dear.
Your position was most trying, but you
met the difficulty graciously. 1 am glad
| to know you, and l shall expect to hear
of you again"
| At home after the jubilee had some
what subsidized, and Anna and Alfred had
stopped talking at once and continuous
| ", Marion laid her head in her mothers
lap, and said, humbiy:
II came very near giving up to my
wickedness. But my mothers little ser
mon came to my mind and saved me.
Sermons are always more effective you
know, where the preacherexempli6ed his
ext."-Youth's Companion.
Varieties.
-He-"Millionaires are very common
| NOWADAYS" She-"So1ne of them al