Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1912-06-06
A VOICE IN
THE NIGHT
Or, the Professors
Mistake
BY AGNES G. BROGAN

head OF the dull pupil, saw the girl
standing in the doorway. She entered
the room half difiidently ut his nod of
invitation.
II am Marguerite Rainor," she an.
nounced simply. and would like to
take singing lessons. VIII you kindly
tell me your priceT
The professor was fully aware of the
anxious note in her vibrant voice as he
drew forth chair. No one knew bet
ter than he the constant struggle Of IA
young musician with poverty. Profess
sor Brunn was not even now as pros
porous as this luxurious studio would
seem to Imply; therefore lie made a
hurried mental calculation. and then,
rs the girls eager, questioning eyes
sought his. he deliberately cut his
teaching price in two. Her delight was
very evident
81 am so glad" she said. with Il sigh
Of relief, for feared the lessons
might be more than could afford"
so Marguerlte's lessons began, and
the three afternoons each week when
she appeared for instruction came to
be bright spots in the professors life.
He grew to know her moods, to glory
In her advancement, to fret and trou
bic himself because of hardships he
feared she might be secretly enduring.
Her pretty ways and little tricks of
speech fingered with him long after
she had gone. until 1t seemed that the
professors very life had become one
long thought of her. while Marguerite
calmly accepted his devoted friendship
and installed him Confidant and adj
wiser TO him she read the home let
ters. looking up through tear bright
eyes as she told Of the invalid sister,
the mother who called her DAISY,
dear" instead Of the formal Marguer-
tie
Her CHEEKY greeting as she entered
the studio could not blind him to the
fact that the piquant face grew paer,
more transparent. as time passed. and
/ he wondered painfully If she was de-
priving herself of proper food In order
to further her ambition. And one aft
ernoon when the hours dragged slow
~ and no laughing face appeared in
the doorway the professors anxiety
became uncomfortable. and he went him
self to ascertain the cause of her alb
sence He had some difficulty in find
ing the quaint side street and the old
| fashioned house where Marguerite
made her home. But. after all, 1t was
NJ I'M hn hn1 fnn fA lxn
small sitting room, with its wide win
dow. faced the street, and, though its
only noticeable piece of furniture was
an old piano. stiIl an air of comfort
pervaded the room. She came to meet
him wrapped In her heavy cloak and
shaking her head In mock reproval
You should not have come all this
way to find me-" she said II merely
have a cold. n very slight cold, which
will not let me sing"
The professor glanced at the dark.
ened CRATE. you have been keeping
your fire too low" he accused
Marguerite laughed 1t was Il shaky
sort of laugh. Yes" she replied, II
have been keeping my tire-too low"
"Iou must not let it occur again." the
professor said sternly "One cannot
afford to take risks with voice like
yours"
What n troublesome luXuryw the
girl exclaimed but she was smiling
He regarded her closely when she came
again for lessons, and that afternoon
/ Professor Brunn instituted the fashion
OF serving afternoon tea In the studio
1T is quite the CUSTOM" he assured
Marguerite, watching with satisfaction
her hungry enjoyment of sugared
roll, while the duh pupil poured tn,
tea and afterward he sang to them 1t
was an old fashioned air which Mar
/ EuCrttr Chose-a song of love-and his
voice found its half forgotten strengtu
aud sweetness ms he bowed low above
the dusky head of his accompanies
When he had finished she looked vi
ut him. her eyes shining
1T carries me back to my home
she muSrd dreamily "A-a boy used t.
sing this song"
The professor could not speak He
was watching her face with tens,
carncStncsS 1t is hard for him also
making his way here In the city" SHE
continued, but we try to console cacl
other Billy and |. He came when
did, You see, and it was he who IN,
about coaNinE the mothers to let mt
take their children to teach Billy ha,
such pleasing way that he managed
1t much better than could possibly
have done" Marguerite jumped III
and ran for her cloak: then she cam,
back, looking With concern into til,
mans white face
You are not we'll" she rcproved him
You are working too hard"
Il am quite Well" the professor an
swercd duly She paused moment
>ttl vaguely troubled; then her fac,
frightened
Mother is coming 10 see me tomor
row." she said "Shc has heard $,
much ahOut Won prnfaSSor Druun