The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-02
THE EVENING STORY
Robin Adalr.
(By Lester Martin.)

shall be much relieved Edith leaned
over the garden gate and laid a pro-
testing hand upon her lovers arm.
| Don't joke, honey" Jack drew her
| nearer to him. 81 am trying so hard
| to see your point of view and simply
can not imagine you all alone in Lon
don singing your heart out and no one
really caring as I do
| why, Jack, you silly boy, don
| spoil our last evening together. eX-
pect to be home for Christmas and L
! should think you would be glad 1 am
going to have such great opportunl-
i ty. Just think how good or the GEAR
old rector to pay all my expenses and
give me my training just because ne
| likes my voice and thinks will make
a famous singer. And here you are
| spelling it all!'' A little sob or sell
pity. a sudden sense of loneliness, and
the pretty curly head was hidden in
Jacks coat.
"Dearie, my love will help me to
understand, only-always remember II
things do not go just right and you
are not happy, why, I shall be longing
for you every minute, and the farm,
I am thinking, needs mistress badly"
"There, Jack, 1 know every word of
that story by heart, so don't worry me
any more,' she said.
A glorious morning and two whole
hours before breakfast! Quickly dress
ing she crept quietly past her aunt
door, realizing, with little eaten OF
her breath, that even this home so
grudgingly given her would be hers no
longer.
Suddenly, through the sharp. crisp
air, she heard Jacks clear whistle and
her mind unconsciously supplied the
words to the old, familiar strain, "And
for Bonnie Annie Laurie I'd lay me
down and die"
Hiding herself behind some shrubs
she waited until the melody died
away, then lifting her head she sang
Jacks favorite song, robin Adai'.
full of music and purity of tone sell
dom heard in so young voice. It
seemed as though the birds stopped
to listen. Haunting in its sweetness,
and yet, wanting-in what? And Jack,
wondering, hoped that the price to be ;;
paid for the something wanting"
might be paid by him if possible. Per-
haps he was paying a wee bit on ac-
count now, and smiling bravely he
whistled an obligato to the last few
notes:
"A rea' morning concert, sir. and
complimentary at that" said Edith.
Il am glad you sang the dear Ole
song, honey, and 1 think if ever you
needed me I should answer to it even
if you were far across the seas
Slowly the train drew into st. Pan
cras station. The rector, lowering ne
window, shifted the smoky London Al:
with real pleasure. 1t was neither
fresh nor clean, but it was London, and
there is nothing on earth like it to an
old I.ondoner.
A confusion of porters, luggage AMI
cabs and they were soon submerged IN
the endless traffic of Euston road.
Three months passed quickly for
Edith. Glowing accounts OF her Httie
triumphs found their way to Jack
lonely home and in the evening he
would walk to the rectory where the
two would spend many an hour predict
ing a glorious career for the girl so
dear to them.
And you thing all IS We'll with her,
e;,-o
..of course it is, my dear boy. You
must not mind the admiration of others
for her you of all men. And this !
agent, LAWYER, why, it is just her voice
he is interested in. And that is bust |
ness, just business"
"Oh, well, that's all right There
was great relief in the hand shake ana
the CHEEKY good night as Jack took his |
precious letter and climbed the home !
hill whistling for company
The rector stood listening to the mu-
steal voice as it twisted and turned the |
old melody of Annie Laurie into a |
good marching tune. Then with a whi5
pered .'God bless them BOTH he closed |
the door.
"And you really want me to sing to-
night at the Royal Albert hall in place !
of Madame Paula. Oh; Mr.. LAWYER DC !
you think I can do it?''
why, of course, you can do it. And |
if you look-well, the way you DO now
10 YOUR prettiest and who knows what
wonderful things may come your way,
and taking her little hand ne Kissed IL
in mock homage.
what a strange child you are" he
said, as she hastily withdrew her hand.
But that soon wears off, my sweet liz
tie wild flower. Well. I must be going |
now. Don't be late this evening"
AS the door closed Edith picked up a
fluffy little kitten curled up near the
open fire and buried her hot face in its
warm fur.
Not until Edith found herself in a
hanson on her way to the hall did
she realize how different was her
feeling from what she had imagined
it would be at this moment. Her
voice was in good form, everything
had gone right and yet she was not
"oh, here you are Miss Murden!''
exclaimed Mr.. Lawler. You will
find the ladies in there. Don't talk
much and keep your throat warm"
With a business-like wave of his hand
he indicated the artists room.
t'Nervous?" he added.
Not at ALL laughed Edith, so
grateful for his impersonal manner
land L hope shall repay you for all
your kindness"
As Edith disappeared a slight smile
crept around his thin lips.
Meanwhile Edith, feeling assured
her troubles had been wholly imag-
mary, greeted her fellow artists with
q bright smile and felt the warm
glow of anticipation that means sue
cess for the singer.
The audience had received the an
nouncement of the noted sopranos
Hines philosophically, and was pre-
pared to be pleasantly polite to the
SUI bstitute.
Edith Murden, who is she p Il
f'I never heard of her.