The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-06-11
The Princess
and the Tenor
By ETHEL POWERS

tne SOunu, III Stdttly CndItdu uocu
as royal summer residence, prin-
cess Christina spent most of her time
even during the busy season. She
was an accomplished musician and
often came to the chateau for the sole
purpose of pursuing her studies with
entire freedom from social restraint.
Il really believe" she remarked
one day to her vocal master, that
II l hadn't been born princess
should have chosen the career of an
opera singer"
Your Hlghness is a born musl-
clan and not one Of the noted singers
Of today has a voice that can equal
yours in purity of tone and sweet
ness of quality"
"oh, you would praise me even IL
you we're quite convinced / could not
sing at all. In fact, do not think
shall ever hear the truth about my
self" she added YEARLY.
"Your Highness, | am an old man
now. In my youth sang before all
the crowned heads Of Europe. My
whole life has been devoted to mu-
sic, and | love my art too well to
stoop to deceive or bestow unmerltcd
praise even on q princess
There. Monsieur Andre" said tne
princess kindly. you must not take
my careless speech to heart You
cannot blame me for being tired OF
1attery. If ! sing well, then I owe
1t to you. my faithful painstaking
master, who has exercised so much
patience on occasions when / was both
wayward and stupid"
"Your highness possesses a gift
that is a pleasure and an honor for
any master to develop" rejoined the
old musician humbly.
Eyes, but what is tho use OF a gift
when I cannot use 1t as freely as |
wish? I feel at times as though
should like to live incognito for at
least year. Think of 1t, Monsieur
Andre, to be able to go about with
entire freedom and be natural, In
stead of assuming a stilted dignity
and haughtiness until one becomes
entirely artificial"
"Your highness cannot complain
OF restraint these days. The long
rides on horseback, taken unattend-
ed by her highness, give plenty OF
scope for freedom OF action. DO you
not think, though, that it Is rather
daring your highness to ride away
from the chateau unaccompanled by
a groom or even one OF the women?"
81 want to dare; that is the rca-
son go alone" She drew deep
breath "Oh, feel so free as I gall
lop along in the open country, with
the cool wind blowing in my face
that sometimes | find myself wishing
that ! could ride on forever and not
have to return to-
She broke off and was gazing fix
edly out OF the window. with a tinge
OF melancholy in her eyes.
The old musician looked at her
with troubled gaze. he had been
her music master since her childhood
and had grown old ard gray In the
service Of the royal family. Her love
for music, which amounted to a pas
sion, had caused her TO make a faith
erly companion of her old tutor. To
him she went often for advice, and
many times he shared the secret OF
harmless girlish escapades. Not
withstanding her frank manner, there
hon kA,, 1,n1 Aa1
speeches gave him uneasy thought.
"Your Highness," he said gently,
you are princess Of the royal
house and much is expected Of your
future. You will not cause me to
regret that have kept the secret or
your long rides know your tenn
perament," he went on hastily. as she
Strengthened her figure hautily and
frown gathered on her brow. "and
II is one that must be guideu and con-
trolled."
She drummed her fingers impati-
emily on the window pane. "Oh,
Monsieur Andre. IL is all very well
for you TO speak in platitudes and
pledCn a. ptiuiOui puI you ldNt HtNol
been Gagged as ! am. You have new
er felt a desire to break through your
environment. You are free to come
and go. Why the poorest peasant
girl enjoys more freedom than l." she
added impetuously.
"And yet what peasant is there
who would not give her eyes to be
princess? Yours is only the dlscon-
tent prevalent with mortals A dis
content which must be controlled be-
fore II controls us. Princess" he con-
tlnued, do not try TO struggle out OF
your orbit. II will only mean un-
happiness. Take an old mans ad-
vice and remember II is best to live
In the sphere which we are familiar
with and among those who under
stand us. With you, Your Hlghness,
as with us all. a sense OF duty must
be the highest virtue. Your High
ness will live her life as princess
OF the royal house." he added proud
ly.
you need have no fear, my mas
ter, shall not forget my birth" she
said, looking at him with solemn eyes
and head erect, Surely there is no
wrong in my taking long rides on
horseback even II am unattended.