The Natchitoches enterprise., 1912-10-31
so do 1. Then would sing for

so do l. Then 1 would sing for
you"
Mephisto turned from the instru-
ment, grinning.
There's a kid girl back in the
woods who thinks she can sing" he
said to Faust and Marguerite. I'm
going to let her blow off-then you
folks can hear, toe. (Then putting his
mouth to the phone.) would be de-
lighted to hear you, Can't you sing
over the phone?"
'T-I-I-you won't laugh at me?"
said the gentle voice, TREMENDOUSLY.
Sure not! Nobody will hear you
but me-"
What shall 1t be-a Christmas
carol?"
Eyes, yes-anything."
Those watching Mephisto noticed
his brows knit; then his eyes lighted
up and an eager expression swept
over his cadaverous face.
The song at the other end finished,
Mephisto thus spoke to the singer:
Little girl, / don't know you, but
let me tell you you've got talent
oceans of it! I want you to sing
that to a friend Of mine, Miss Has
tings, who plays Marguerite"
Marguerite, with a satirical smile,
took Mephisto's place at the phone.
Out of the depths Of the snow f1oated
tht gentle voice Of Cecil Of the
Woods"
"O'er the blue depths of Galilee
There comes a holier calm,
And Sharon waves, in solemn praise,
Her silent groves of palm.
GLORY to God! The sounding skies
Loud with their anthems ring,
Peace to the earth, good will to men,
From Heavens Eternal King"
yelling out of the blackness Of the
night, from some unknown spot in
that vast, mysterious wilderness, the
tender, well-modulated voice struck
deep into the heart of the woman of
the stage. There were the signs of
rain in her eyes as she released the
receiver and turned to her compan-
ions.
That girl is best where she is"
said Marguerite, "but think what that
voice would be with little training
Wouldn't it?" cried Mephisto, en-,
Enthusiastically, again going to the
phone. SThat's prize If we can get
her" Tin the instrument:) Hello"
Yes. sir" replied the voice OF c.
ell of the Woods.
How would you like to train to
travel with a great opera company
like ours?"
ooh, sir-I fear you are laughing at
me-" with an expression Of pain.
Never more in earnest in my
life," protested Mephisto. We're
snowbound for tonight and maybe all
day tomorrow, but / will leave the adj
dress with one of the railroad men
l.nx.d snssams~sf &at xa1R In The
city during the holidays. and then
wen taIk things over. You'll be play,
ing Marguerite yourself inside of a
year, and will be famous"
This terminated the interview, and
Mephisto hunted up Jim the elctri-
clan, and instructed him about
further dispatch to the paper concern
ing his remarkable find.
by George!" he said, Our Luck's
with us in spite of this internal snow.
Who'd although of striking prize
song-bird in this bleak region-and
while snow-bound, too! Facts beat
fiction every time"
Jim went into the forward car to
write up the newest developments of
the snow-bound troupe, under the in
spiration of cigar furnished by Me
phisto, who followed to suggest in
teresting details. AS he passed into
sthe car ahead Mephisto noticed Bessy
of the chestnut hair curled up in
seat, "soun3 asleep" Nailed to the
corner OF the car near her was tele-
phone, the same as in the rear car. A
horrible suspicion swept over the
manager, and he glared about with
CLASSY eyes. Seeing brakeman
snoozing in seat, with his lantern
beside him, Mephisto seized 1t and
ran outside. Holding the light up
near the corner Of the car he observ-
ed threa1-like strand reaching from
the ventilator off into the darkness.
Then he re-entered the car, and
YEARLY walked up to where Jim was
travelling with his press dispatch,
saying: "Since thinking the thing
the thing over, Jim, you needn't send
off that last chapter. It's too good
for them undertaking newspapers any
how"