Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-08-09

girl like you must have sweetheart"
Gretchen FLUSHED. "Yes. htghness.
am to be married soon- He is q vint-
ner. would not trade him for your
king, highness," with spice Of bold
ness.
Her highness did not take offense.
Rather she liked this frankness. 1t
was taste Of the old days when she
herself could have chosen a vintner
and married him with none to say her
nay. She surrendered to impulse.
Gretchen, I do not think I shall
marry the king Of Jugendheit."
Gretchen grew red with pride.
"You love some one else, hlghnessT
Her highness did not blush.
"You must not ask questions He
that, Gretchen"
This was not understandable TO
Gretchen, but locket the princess
wore pleased her eye. Her highness,
observing her interest, slipped the trim
ket from her neck and laid 1t in Gretch-
ems hand.
"Open it." she said. cit is picture
Of my mother, whom l do not recollect
having ever seen. l will 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 hooked. Indeed. being sensible
and not given much to conjuring, she
had rarely bothered her head about it.
Still, as she gazed at this portrait the
sense Of her isolation and loneliness
drew down upon her, and she in her
turn sought the flowers and saw them
not. After awhile she closed the lock-
ct and returned it.
$50 you love musicT picking up the
safer thread.
'-Ah, yes, highness."
II will give you an opera ticket for
the season. How can reward you for
bringing this message? Don't have
any false pride. Ask for something"
"WeIl, then, highness. give me an
order on the grand dukes head vintner
for place.
husbandy'
Eyes. highness."
''You shall have it tomorrow. Now.
come with me. am going to take you
to Herr Ernst. He is the direktor Of
the opera. He rehearses in the court
theater this morning."
Gretchen followed the princess. AS
her hfghness entered the Bijou thea
ter the herr dtrektor stopped the mu-
as the royal box sat several ladies and
gentlemen Of the court, the grand duke
being among them.
Il have brought you prima donna.
Herr Direktor.' pointing to Gretchen.
Herr Direktor showed his teeth.
what shall she sing in, your high.
ness? We are rehearsing The Bohe-
mian Girl" he jested
The chorus and singers on the little
stage exchanged smiles
II want your first VIOLIN" said he1
highness.l
"Antonv'
A youth stood up in the orchestral
pit.
"Now, your highness," said the herr
direktor.
Try her voice"
And the herr direktor saw that she
was not smiling. He babe the violin
list to draw his bow over single note.
Initiate it, Gretchen" commanded
her hfghness, '.and don't be afraid"
Gretchen lifted her voice. 1t was
sweeter and mellower than the violin.
"Againv' the herr direktor cried.
Without apparent effort Gretchen
passed from one note to another now.
high, now low, or strong or soft; a
trill. run The violinist Of his own
accord began the jewel song from
Faust" Gretchen did not know the
words, but she carried the melody
without mishap. And then II Dreamt
1 Dwell In Marble Halls" This song
she knew word for word. and. all. she
sang it with strange and haunting ten
derness. One by one the musicians
dropped their instruments to their
knees. All realized that a great voice
was being tried before them. The herr
direktor struck his music stand sharp
~.
"Your highness has played fine jest
this day. Where does madame your
guest sing-in Berlin or Vienna?'
I'm neither" answered her. highness
"She lives in Dreiberg. and till this
morning never saw her before"
The herr direktor stared blankly
from her ilighness to Gretchen and
back to her highness again. Then he
grasped 1T. Here was one Of those
moments when the gods make gifts to
mortals.
"You have a great voice. fraulein. I
shall teach you. shall make you
great singer"
But Gretchen never became prima
donna. There was something different
on the knees Of the gods.
(To Be Continued.)
Would Make Their Own Iron.