The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-03-04
ROBIN ADAIR

the open fire and buried her hot face
in it's farm fur.
Not until Edith found herself In
hanson on her way to the bali did
she realize ht,w different w5ts her FRET
ing from what she had imagined 1t
would be at this moment. Her voice
Was lit coed form. everything had gene
right and vet she was not happy.
ooh, here you are Miss Murden,"
exclaimed Mr.. LAWYER. You will find
the ladies in there. Don't talk much
and keep your throat warm. With a
bnslness-ike way, of his hand he in
dicated the artists room.
Nervous" he added.
Not at all laughed Edith. SO CRATE
full for his impersonal manner, "and I
hope | shall repay you for all your
kindness"
AS Edith disappeared slight smile
crept around his thin lips.
Meanwhile Edith. feeling assured her
troubles had been wholly imaginary,
greeted her fellow artists with
bright smile and felt the warm glow
Of anticipation that means success for
the singer.
The audience had received the an
nouncement OF the noted sopranos ILL.,
ness phiiosophicaily. and WAS prepar-
ed to be pleasantly polite TO the subs
stitutc.
Edith Murden. who is she
Il never heard OF her.
Il hope she is good
The orchestra had just finished
with a brilliant climax and the aud
ience looked with mild curiosity for
the new soprano.
From behind tho ferns and palms
came Edith, the very embodiment OF
youth and beauty in her simple whita
gown, her little head held high and
a brave smile for this her first audi
ence.
III she sings as well as she looks,
she viii be n great favorite." an
nounced one critic.
softly and sweetly that true ring
ing voice sweiled through the hall,
reaching TO the uppermost gallery,
generous in tone. perfect In pro-
daction. and the critic, whose good
word all musicians coveted. nodded
commendingiy. Rut--lacking In soul.
was his criticism. Perhaps nervous.
and he waived Judgment until her
second song
Captured by her charm of voice
and manner. the audience expressed
itself In recall after recall. until.
breathless. but happy. she found her
self alone with Mr.. LAWYER in the
artists room.
"A great success. my dear" and
before Edith realized his intention
he had put his arm around her.
Frightened. but furious at the in-
suit. she tore herself away and she
looked like little queen In her In
How dare you.' she half sobbed.
dignation.
y "h>weasdT ssart again to see you
look like that" he laughed. and his
eyes expressed his open admiration.
Thankful for the interruption of
the accompanist, Edith hurriedly led
the way. great sense Of loneliness
enveloping her. Surely months had
passed since she had faced that audi
ence.
Jack. Jack. want you. need
you'' And she gazed heiplessly into
that sea OF faces.
Angels ever bright and fair"
Take me. oh. take me to your
care,'
Her voice. full OF entreaty and In.
tensity and forgetful OF all save her
need OF love and protection. reach-
ed the very hearts OF her audience.
A wave OF emotion swept over the
house and tears strcamed down the
faces OF men and women.
One breathlen minute. then came
the thunderous applause.
Was this for her? Through her
dazed senses came the sharp COM
mand. Pick up your fiowers." In
stinctively obeying she stood silent
for moment. then. Encore. En-
core!"
The accompaniat looked at her.
Robin Affair." she whispered.
And like the call Of a bird to it,
mate she sang the song Tack loved.
A man tightly graphing the arms
of his chair. with teKse face. and
eyes aglow with love. ga1ed at hts
little sweetheart and knew that she
WAS his. There was nothing want
Ing now. She was calling to him-to
him. As the last note sank into his
heart he quickly found his way to
the artists. room. Quietly he await
ed her ~ she received the nnstinted
applause.
Honey. am here. You called
me-" he whis"c~ad Ard with q clad
~ she took his cutstretched hands.
Take me home, Jack! Oh. take me
home. want only you and your
love"