The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-24
THE EVENING STORY
Behind the Choir Curtain.
(By Virginia Blair.)

There had been an immense amount
of irreverence in the choir before the
new Soprano came. The Tenor and the
Contralto and the Bass and the old
Soprano had 1irted from the opening
anthem to the benediction, and as they
We're hidden from the congregation by a
green baize curtain there had been no
scandal. although certain members of
the session had complained of weird
sounds that had seemed to echo from
the organ loft and die in the steeple.
With the advent of the new Soprano,
however, came a different state of af-
fairs. Both the Tenor and the Bass fell
In love with her at sight, and the con-
tralto, being 40 and fat and fair, sub
mitted comfortably to the new singers
conquest and smiled on her in a way
unprecedented in choir history, where
the green-eyed monster is supposed to
rage rampant.
and hence 1t came about that romance
was succeeded by religion, and the
Tenor and the Bass paid strict atten-
ton to the responses and to the sermon,
and bent their heads during prayers; al
though so earnest were the Sopranos
meditations that the Bass was con-
strained now and then to glance at her.
and after intercepting the Tenor's ard
ent observation would again seem wrap
ped in his devotions.
At the time of the opening prayer the
sun came through the rose window. A
white dove spread his wings against
the stained glass background, and as
the Soprano stood up for her solo and
seemed to hover over her head, and her
shining hair made a golden halo.
"Oh, she's too good to be true" the
Bass told the Tenor as they went home
together one Sunday in May.
''She is perfect" the Tenor declared,
fervently; I'VE are a lot Of sinners, and
she has come among US like little
saint to make us ashamed of our
selycs."
that the Bass had given up smoking.
In five weeks the Tenor signed the
pledge, and in six the Contralto stop
ped bleaching her hair and came to
choir practice with her head tied UP
crepancies as to color.
"Shes a dear little thing" she con-
fded to the Bass. "She is poor and
takes care of her mother"
I'll take care of them BOTH" the
Bass declared, ardently, off she will
let me-
The Tenor having made the same
statement, the Contralto carried the
news to the Soprano.
"They are both in love with you,
my dear" she whispered one Sunday
morning when the green curtain had
been drawn and the congregation had
settled down comfortably to hear the
sermon.
I'D rather not talk about such
things in church if you don't mind"
tralto agreed hastily and gave her
earnest attention to the preacher
But tell me one thing" the Tenor
said to the Contralto, confldentially, at
choir practice, how are we going to
ask herr Her mother walks home
with her after all the services, and she
hasn't asked US to call, and she won't
talk about secular things in church,
and there you arei''
els love a secular thing?" the Con-
tralto questioned, sentimentally. ,a Il.
t'She says it is" the Tenor stated,
'fbut 1 think it is divine"
Things came to something of a
climax when the Sopranos mother
was taken sick.
Now is your chance" said the Con-
tralto, all in ~f1utter, as she leaned
toward the Tenor.
But the Bass was already begging
the privilege.
81 had hoped you might let me-"
the Tenor said. as he stumbled over
two chairs to get to her.
why not both of you?" said the
Soprano, tits on your way home. and
you will be company for each other
the rest of the way"
"Oh, tho aggravation of her."
groaned the Tenor. as he went to get
his hat and the Bass said things to
himself in a dark corner.
The Soprano invited them in, and
they found her mother sitting up in a
big chair, and they had tea and
mullins served by the angelic hands OF
the Soprano. who seemed more de-
sirab than ever in this setting of do
1--WE might as we'll meet it like
men," the Bass told the Tenor as they
went home afterwards. I'VE both
love her, and If we are ever going to
have to stay away next Sunday night,
and the other one can take her
home"
We'll" the Tenor agreed. "but how
shall we decide who will take herr"
I'll toss a nickel" said the Bass.
Heads 1 win And he forthwith
Ripped one, and it turned up tails.
"Just my luck" said the Bass,
yloomily, but if you have the good
looks I have the brains, and 1 shall
know how to plead my case when the
time comes"
The Tenor was jubilant.
81 shall have first chance" he said.
When he talked to the Contralto on
Sunday morning the Bass was not san
yuine THE Tenor is young and hand
;ome and 1 won't be in it,
The Contralto comforted him.
eff I had the choosing / should pick
7ou out" she said, and something in her
'oice made the Bass turn and look at
Ter. She had on her new summer hat, |
md her hair was prettily brown where |
t had grown out, and there was about |
Ter an effect of youth and jauntiness |
hat belied her forty years, and that |
made the Bass with his weight of for
y-five, feel old.
You are always my good friend" he |
aid, and squeezed her hand ever so |
lightly, as he rose to sing a duet with |
he Tenor.
In the solo part the Tenor's voice !
ang out with such note of triumph |
hat the Soprano caught her breath as |
he heard it. 1t was If she had sang
I love. love, love-" and yet the words |
we're sacred. Within the breast of the |
tile Soma Eonnathinc stirred 1