Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-08-08

my song!"
Nan was not in an amiable mood
when Stuart led her to the box in the
millionaires playhouse which New
York society built to exhibit its gowns,
jewellery and beautiful women.
| He had insisted on coming early.
| Nan had always entered late and no
woman in the magic circle of gilded
splendor had ever attracted more at
tention or received it with more queen
ly indifference. 1t was acknowledged
on every hand that she was the most
beautiful woman in New York's exclu-
sive set.
Northern men had exhausted their
vocabulary Of fiattery in paying hom-
age to the perfection of her stately
southern type. Those big northern
business fellows had often shown a
preference for southern women. Many
of them had married poor girls Of the
south and they had become the lead
ers of their set. Mans opportunity
for intrigue and Irritation had been
boundless, but so far not a whisper
about her had ever found it's way into
the gossip of the scandalmongers Of
high life.
Tonight she was bent on creating a
mild sensation by entering late and
placing Stuart in a position so con-
spicuous, the presence of her tall dis
tinguished escort would at once COM
mand attention, and provoke inquiry.
He had quite innocently frustrated this
little plan by insisting on the unusual
and vulgar procedure of entering the
box in time to hear the opera.
But Jim,' Nan protested bitterly,
Its so cheap and amateurish."
Come, Man," he answered, you're
too beautiful, too rich, too powerful,
and too much envied to be afraid Of
the opinion of small folks. It's the
privilege of the great to do as they
please. Only the little people must do
as others. AS a special favor l ask
you to be there at the rise of the cur
tain. l must see my little friends en-
trance and hear the first note she
sings"
She had yielded gracefully on the
outside. Inwardly she was boiling
with rage.
They were the first to enter a box.
Stuart eagerly scanned his programme.
The manager had inserted a slip of
paper on which he said:
Owing to the sudden illness of the
prima donna, the audience will have
the unexpected privilege this evening
of hearing an accomplished American
girl, native of New York city, sing
for the first time in Grand Opera. Miss
Harriet Woodman will appear in the
role of Marguerite"
The real audience had gathered unu-
sually early to hear the great Euro
pean prima donna. Every seat in the
orchestra and balconies was packed
before the rise Of the curtain.
Nan had placed Stuart in front Of
her on purpose to watch closely his ex-
preston.
AS the moment for Harriet's appear
ance drew near, his nervous tension
became a positive agony. Yet he dis
unctly felt from the subtle impression,
which the intelligent single mind can
always receive from the collective
mind of a crowd. that the people were
in a friendly mood of expectancy. The
fact that she was an American girl
and from New York was greatly in her
favor
The audience greeted her appear
ance with a burst of applause and
waited for the first note of her open
ing song.
Stuart was charmed with the effect
of her personality in the character,
before she moved. The long, beautiful
golden hair, the innocent young face
and her simple girlish costume mad"
an instantaneous impression in her fa-
vor.
With the first sweet note from her
throat every fear. vanished. She sang
simply, quietly, eXquisitely, without
effort, as a bird sings because the song
bubbles from within.
A ripple of surprised comment swept
the audience and burst into vigorous
applause at the close of her song.
She looked into Stuarts face and
smiled sweetly.
Isn't she glorious!" he cried, turn
ing his flushed face toward Nan.
| Fine" was the quiet answer. but
please, Jim, don't climb over the rail
and try to get on the stage"
| Stuart settled back in his seat with
a resolution to be more careful. But
i'm a few moments his resolution was
forgotten From start to finish Har-
riet received a continuous ovation. In
the great songs of the last act her
voice swelled into a climax Of thrilling
spiritual power. The audience rose In
their seats and greeted her with such
tribute of enthusiasm New York had
rarely seen. Wave after wave of ap-
plause swept the house. Her fellow
singers were compelled to lead her out
a half-doZen times before the tumult
ceased.
The manager, in ecstasies, fell on
his knees, and kissed the tips of her
fingers.
When Stuart had fought his way
through the crowd and reached the
stage, he found her alone with her
father in her room. Her head was
resting on his breast and he was strok-
ing the fair young forehead with ten
der caressing touch. His eyes were
dim with tears and his voice could find
no words.
He turned away from the scene and
left them alone for q few moments.
He found Nan and asked her TO wait
for him at the stage door in her auto
mobile until he could give Harriet his
congratulations.