The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1907-03-28

ed disappointments preyed upon him,
and he grew more and more gloomy.
Saturday night came all too soon, and
it was with an aching heart that he
opened her music to play her accom-
paniment for the last time.
Gertie had put in new song to try
the last night. 1t vn.s popular bal
lad, one that had just come out, cheap
ly constructed, but with slow melodic
chorus. They had tried it over in the
music room before the performance,
and he had liked it then. Now the mel
ody seemed to fill his heart, and he
put all of his artistic soul into the in
terpretation Of the chorus. The other
musicians. as If by common impulse.
lowered their instruments, and the
wailing tones of the violin formed such
a perfect accompaniment to the voice
that as the strains swelled out the
audience suddenly grew quiet. Twice
the chorus was repeated, and the ba-
thos of the words became pathos when
sung to the sobbing accompaniment OF
the violin. Now the chorus was ended,
and the singer looked up expectantly.
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 a
demonstration from the lower hoor.
Three times Benson played over the
"vamp'-the short symphony between
the yerses-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 between violin and
voice thrilled the hearers. Again the
applause thundered out. The singer
bowed repeatedly, but still the hand
clapping 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
sensation he had created. Three times
they repeated the double chorus, and
even then r. stage manager had to
ring UP in next act and hold the
curtain up .fore the house would
quiet down.
Presently the call boy poked his head
through the trap and handed note to
Benson. BE turned to Award. miss
Clayton wants to see you In her dress
ing room," he said. "Never mind this
act. I can get along"
Weak and trembling from the reac-
ton, Award slipped out Of the orches-
ira pit and presently presented himself
before the singer.
whats your name?' she demanded
curiously.
"Pierre Award" he said hesitatingly.
Sounds good for the bills" she said
critically. "Say, we'd make great
team, something like the three Du-
monds' stunt street singers, you know.
I'll fix Benson all right viii you
come"
"Mademoiselle wishes my servicesT
he asked haltingly, unwilling to believe
that such good fortune could be true.
"Sure thing!" she confirmed. 1--WE
stopped the show. Well be headliners.
Want to double up?"
Double up?" he repeated wonder
ingly. "Mademoiselle does me the hon.
or Of proposing a matrimonial alli-
ance?"
Gertie eyed him curiously. To dou-
BILE up meant to form team. Then
an idea came to her. II guess SO"
she answered carelessly. It'll keep
some other dame from getting her
hooks on you"
Benson summed up the situation lat
er over his nightcap.
Its a good thing for both Of them,"
he declared oracularly. Hell keep
her straight and do something with
her voice. He's too much in love with
her to realize what silly little fool
she is. BY the time she's really ready
to fall in love he'll be there to be fallen
In love with. Here's luck to 'em."
And they all drained their glasses.