Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-11-05
THE MASKED SINGER.

For the tenth time Ethel Hartley lald
down the scrap of paper on which she
had drawn out balance sheet.
"There it is, mother" she said. Worse,
steadily worse. Assets equal liabilities,
not one halfpenny more"
Mrs. Hartley sighed. She was frail,
and lived chiefly by drawing on the
dauntless spirit of her only child. For
years the Hartleys had known prosper
ity. But one black day Mr.. Hartley
died A financial upheayal swept away
their competence. Ethel'c courage rose
with the reverses.
Mother" said Ethel. Summer is
here, the time when the doctor ordered
you to the coast. What do you say to
us packing up and going to Scarbor-
ough, My chance OF employment might
be as good there as here
Mrs Hartley resisted. But Ethel pre-
vailed
1t was the height of the season. Scar
borough was crowded.
Mrs Hartley retired early that first
night.
But the night is still young, dear.
You might have an hour in the open
yet"
Ethel assented. A soft, black mask
went into her pocket, her waterproof
went into small bulk. She quilted the
house.
Under the trees on the dark side OF
Royburn square she donned cloak and
mask Then, she stepped into the center
of the square.
Next moment her clear, liquid notes
echoed on the still night. Pedestrians
halted. Windows were thrown open.
This was not the ordinary street singer.
Though quiveTing with excitement
Ethel sang to the end and was silent.
One stepped forward and slipped a coin
into her hand. Another and another.
1t was the third night. Ethel had
finished and was stealing off amid the
darkness, when young man addressed
her.
Pardon me. l wish to speak to you
In harpier circumstances | was counted
tole.able singer. Your songs are all
my old favo5ites. Would you care to
| let me Join you? I am poor and must
earn something. | think | could increase
the advantage to you. Many hear you
who do not help you. | would make a
collection. In that way your earnings
would greatly increase. Let me try for
one night | would be content to ac-
cept whatever you cared to pay me.
wish to keep my identity as secret as
you evidently wish to keep ours"
Ethel listened in amazement. The
suggestion was extraordinary But she
instinetiyely trusted the speaker.
Il should be quite willing, but it must
be on the ungracious condition that we
remain absolutely unknown to each
other
Next evening. when she took up hel
customary position, the unknown stepped
to her side. He had understated his Gift
In the first few notes Ethel recognized
a tenor of rare quality. She almost
forgot that she was a street singer ap.
pealing to public charity.
The unknown collected. The delighted
listeners gave ungrudgingly. Every
night, therefore, they met and sang anC
separated
The moment came at last when Fat,
made a mighty unheaval of the strang,
materials that combined each night il
Royburn square, The expectant crowC
that now regularly assembled had never
been so large Near the end of the houi
Ethel stood singing alone. The unknown
I
round the end of the square. He wa.
dashed to the ground, white, motionles!
and bloodstained
At an early hour next morning Ethe
entered the hospital inquiry office. "Ht
is still unconscious. Bad conclusion
Weeks of danger. Doctors hopeful.'
Ethel withdrew, to return every fore
noon at the same hour.
1t was imperative she should continut
her nocturnal singing. but she avoide,
Royburn square, and found new venu
in Bedford road 1t was her second ap
pearance there when Il maid servant ap
; preached her.
Pardon me. but Mrs. 0sbourne. a Wis
itor in Leighton villa, hopes YOU vii
speak to her for a little"
She accompanied the maid A lady
whose winsome features instantly in