The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-05-21
A Virginian PAGE for Each Member Of the Family.
THEGQOSE GIRL
"A Romantic Story By
kJHAROLD MAGGRATH -
s. >4HJ1s0S az
observation-disclosures. the kNfpg f-deHGak, ETC.,
opurtaAt The RohhaKefru
on Aze6gx HekuAeak-HeH asA,
Copvr1oAf 1909. Thc BoobsKerrtu Compdny

L
Gretchen turned 1t about helplesely.
II viii open It. for YOU" Click!
Gretchen sighed deeply. To have
had a mother SO fair and pretty.
She hadn't an idea how her own
mother had looked: indeed. being
sensible and not given much to con-
juring. had rarely bothered her head
about It, Still. as she gaZed MT this
portrait, the sense OF her isolation
and loneliness drew down upon her,
| and she in her turn sought the fiow-
ers and saw them not After d while
she closed the Ionket and returned
lit.
so you love music" picking UP
| the safer thread.
"Ah. yes. Highness.
DO you ever go to the opera Z"
AS often az can AFFORD am
very poor"
Il will give you a ticket for the
season How can ] reward YOU for
! bringing this message? Don't have
any raise pride. Ask for something
We'll. then. Hishness, give me an
order on the grand dukes head vint"
ner for a place"
- tf1e-fnnrs-s-s, r-ts-sf'-beeeafa&
yeur husband? =
Yes, Hixhness,"
You shall have II tomorrow.
Now, come with me. | ain going to
take you to Herr Ernst He Is the
director of the opera. lie reneafses
In the court theater this morning
Gretchen undetermined whether
she was waking or dreaming. follow
"a the princess. She was serenely
ttnafraid to her own great wonder
Who could describe her sensations as
she passed through marble haiis, hp
marble staircases. over great rugs so
soft that her step faitered? her
wooden shoes made chatter when-
ever they left the rugs, but she step
ped as lightly as ahe could. she
heard .1usic and voices presently, and
the former she recognized As her
highness entered the Bijou Theater.
the Herr Dlrektor stopped the music.
In the little gallery. which served as
the royal box, sat several ladies ana
gentlemen Of the court. the grand
duke being among them Her high
ness nodded at them brightly.
GOOD morning, Herr Direktor'
Good morning. your highness."
II have brought YOU prima dom
ma" touching Gretchen with her
whip
The Herr p,rektcr showed his
teeth: her higtsiess was always play
ing some jest
What shall she sing in, your high
Eessp We are reheasssug The Be-
homtnn Girl
The chorus and singers on the little
stage exchanged smiles.
II want your first VIOLIN" said her
hishnes=
Anton
A youth stood up In the orchestral
ri;
wow. your hiEhness@" said the
Herr nirektcr.
And the Hsrr nirekior saw that
che was not smiling. He babe the
viollnist to draw his bcw over
single note.
.'Imitete IL. Gretchen" commanded
her highness: and don't be afraid OF
the Herr lJirektor or of the ladies and
gentlemen In the gallery"
Gretchen lifted her voice. II was
svseater and reiiower- than the Nso-
lin
Again the Herr Direktor cried.
no longer curious.
without apparent effort, Gretchen
passed from one note TO another, now
high. now low or strong or soft: q
triii, C run. The violinist, Of his own
accord. began the jewel song from
Faust. Gretchen did not know the
words. but she carried the melody
witho cut mishap And then. Dreamt
| Dwell IN Marble Halls. This song
she knew word for word, and ah. she
sang II with strange aud haunting
tenderness One by one the must
clans dropped their instruments 10
their knees. The grand duke in the
gallery leaned over the velyet-buf-
fered railing. All realized that a great
voice was being tried before them
The Herr Direkfor struck his music
stand shaply. 1t was enough.
Your highness has played fine
jest this day Where does madame
your guest sing. In Berlin or VIENNA
I'm neither" answered her high
ness. nightly gratifed with Crotch
ems success. She lives In Dreiberg.
and tin this morning / doubt If
ever saw her before
The Herr Direktor stared blcnkly
from her highness to Gretchen, and |
back to her highness again. Then |
he grasped 1t. Here was one OF
those moments when the gods make |
gifts TO uiurtafE.
: Can you read muslcr' he asked. |
"No, Herr" said Gretchen.
That ts bad. You have a great |
voice, Fraulein. Well. / shall teach |
you. ] shall make you a great sin |
ger 1t Ia hard work