The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-02-09

! lVu mAehh hAN ~
| slightly dry" he suggested.
"Its S.sllly Of me to start or thi'
matte gasp, never was 80 surprr-r,
In my lifa told him didn't know
/ what was the matter-rd never hat
such an attack before. He said he hat
! often had candidates for positions Ii
the choir get so nervous they couldn'
sing ut first and for me TO rest few
minutes and try again,
But thought how hard had trict
for that position as soloist and how
hard had studied with you for the
last six months. when the people a'
home had scrlmpcd and saved to keet
me here IN the city, and | don't know
how lost my grip. but great big tears
commenced running down my cheeks
not nice ladylike tears, but the great
big splsshy kind that YOU can't swal
low and that real ladyllke hand&cr
| chief will rot soak up"
| She had hung the ladylikc haudker
chief before the fire TO dry, and the
big blond professor. who looked more
| Ike 4 Norse sea king than French
4-rner of voice handed II to her with
way again. The director told mo to
come again next week and he would
! hear me-that II | could sing In half
the whole souled way cried l ought
to make good. You ought to be asham-
ed to laugh at me-" reproachfully, 'T'll
never have the courage to 50 again,
and I'll always be afraid to sing in
public now. My voice might act that
way again. and l wanted so to make
my living by singing"
He leaned toward her and spoke ear
nestly.
you must 60 again. mademoiselle.
In my country we always drive horse
back and make him look at the object
that has given him the fright It Is SO
with this nervous terror Of yours, pc
tite. 1t will grow larger day by day
until you will be so sensitive you can
not do the solos In the church or the
concert. Will you try It again next
week.
II feel that l couldn't-positively
couldn't" she gasped. trembling at the
thought Of second fiasco.
The professor got his hat and coat
to walk down the street with her to
her boarding house.
Il 60 with you next week, mademoi-
selle. ! play your accompaniment for
you. You must forget yourself, and
when he hears you sing the place as
soloist at ST. Johns Is yours for the
accepting. Monsieur the director will
implore you to accept"
The next week an elated girl entered
the professors studio. She was not
alone. The professor himself threw
the roll Of music on the piano. with a
little whoop of enthusiasm.
Never have you sung SO well, and |
do you not feel glad that the horse that |
baked was led back to try again7"
''I don't mind being called horse a
bit Pm SO happy" she exclaimed.
you couldn't offend me even II you
called me donkey. And It's you-you
who have done 1t all. I found out
yesterday that you have been teaching
me for practically nothing when your
other pupils are paying outrageous
prices. 1t was good-so good-of you."
and she held out her hands impulsiyely. |
The professor took them In his, and
the blueness Of his eyes sparkled into
hers.
ut was not goodness, petite-it was
He led her to the chair by the fire.
place and stood looking down at her
II have been here so long, petite, in
a country where have not the home
feeling. There are FIVE years that |
have taught, at first to few, then to
many, much; yet petite, have not the
home feeling. And your voice loved
first, and then you. wanted to make
you succeed so you would not despair
and go back to the country before |
had the time to try to make you care.
Petite, may I go to your country home
tomorrow and ask the honor Of your
hand from madam, your motherY
The girl laughed softly. "That is
not the American style. If you want
to settle in America for life, don't you
think it would be well for you to con-
form to our customs"
"And will you tell me the best way?7
he pleaded
Suppose you should go-not by your.
self, but with me-to see my mother,
and them
Eyes, yes, and then, petiteF'
you might say, 4 love your daugh-
ter and-and your daughter loves me-
so she has brought me to see my new
mother" she said, keeping her gaze
on the fire.
He knelt beside her and turned her
face gently toward him.
"The beautiful home we'll have-and
your beautiful voice will be with me
always. We go on the early train, the
most early train, to see madam, the
new mother, mon ange.'