Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1912-09-27
Q oOO0o0OOOOOOOOOODO00OOOl
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 diftidently at his nod OF
Invitation. ~
II IN NIargaesite Rainersa- shc-ans
nounced simply, "and would like to
take singing lessons. WIN you kindly
tell me your prlceT
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
young musician with poverty. Profess
sor Brunn was not even now as pros
porous as this luxurious studio would
seem to imply; therefore he made a
hurried mental calculation, and then,
as 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 n 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-
BILE himself because Of hardshlps he
feared she might be secretly enduring.
Her pretty ways and little tricks of
speech lingeEed 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 cOnfldant and ad
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 "Dalsy,
dear" instead OF the formal Marguer
lite.
Her CHEEKY greeting as she entered
the studio could not blind him TO the
fact that the plquant face grew paler
more transparent, as time passed. and
he wondered painfully II she was de-
privlng herself Of proper food In order
TO further her ambition. And one aft
ernoOn when the hours dragged slow.
ly and no laughing face appeared In
the doorway the professors anxiety
became uncomfortable. and no 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
hnr mt nf oil q
not 80 bad as he had feared, for the
small sitting room, with its wide win
dow, faced the street, and, though its
only noticeable piece Of furniture was
an old plano, still 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 81 merely
have a cold, 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 lnughed. II was shaky
sort of laugh. YES" she replied, 81
have been keeping my fire-too low"
"You must not let It occur again." the
professor said sternly. zone cannot
afford to take risks with Il voice like
yours"
what Il 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
ut Is quite the CUSTOM" he assured
Marguerite. watching with satisfaction
her hungry enjoyment Of sugared
roll while the dull pupil poured the
ten, and afterward he sang TO them. IL
was an old fashioned air which Mar
guerite chOsen song OF lOve-1nd his
voice found its half forgotten strength
and sweetness as he bowed low above
the dusky head OF his accompanied.
When he had finished she looked up
at him. her eyes shining.
ct carries me back to my home"
she unused drcnmily "A-a boy used to
sing this song"
The professor could not speak. He
was watching her face with tense
earnestness. 1T IL hard for him also,
making his way here Ia the CITY," she
continued, but we try to console each
other, Billy and |. He came when I
did, you zee. and 1t was he who ran
about coaxIDg the mothers TO let me
take their children TO teach. Billy has
such n pleasing way that he managed
It much better than could possibly
have done" Marguerite jumped up
and ran for her cloak; then she c0me
back, looking with concern into the
mans white face.
"You are not WELL" she reprOved him
"You are working too hard"
IL am quite we'll" the professor nm
Bwered duly. She paused moment.
still vaguely troubled; then her face
frightened.
Mother IS coming to sec me tomor.
row." she said. "She has heard 80
much about you, Professor Brunn. 7
would be very glad 10 have you pay
w visit" The professor arose
YEARLY
every well" he replied, II will come"
He would not confess to himself Just
yet that this numbIng heart heayiDess
bespoke the hOpeessness Of all that he
longed for and desired. Yet what else
Uaaa