Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-09-06
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Hints
THE INSPIRER
The Disheartened Singer Is Gicen
Nem Courage
(By Lucille CaIne.)

n chance TO sing for tina public for many
months. Since the public pays for
singing when II wants IL. and since
she mad to live by that pay. the sttua-
ton was serious
But what was most serious was that
tho singer was discouraged. She had
begun to sit alone all day in her little
hotel room and brood. Her face had be-
come downcast Her eyes werc sullen.
She hid from her friends in part be-
cause her clothes were shining where
they should not. at the seacrs. and be-
cause the hens were showing decid-
ed tendency to change into fringe But
more because she was learning TO dis
like people and TO find her only pleas
urc in solitude. Far sight was turn
ing inward.
Sharp-cyed persons in tho little hotel
were trying 10 look when they met her
rs though nothing had happened, but
were whispering among themselves.
"Things are in bad way with Miss
Blank"
Then she met the Insptrer She had
met her before, but only In the outward
aspect They had drunk tea together
ut brushes They had exchanged
few conventional words at church and
at the opora And they had passed on.
closing tho doors, rs II were. upon each
other. You have had glimpse of the
real man or woman. through his or her
eyes for the space OF second. and
then that real person has disappeared
behind door. the door OF reserve.
These women had met and passed on.
had known each other. but had not
known The lnspircr was passinE
through deep waters herself. this day
when she CHANGED upon Miss Blank. She
was troubled and uncertain what should
be her next step. But that did not pre-
vent-truth to tell, il caused her 10 de-
tect with greater certainty that tiny
tla, Of distress hung out by the woman
The Inspiicr stopped squarely in
front of her and said cheer!ly: u
haven't seen you for go long that I'm
going 10 carry YOU on to my nat. ~,
never kidnapped anybody and / shall
enjoy the experience. Don't struesl".
1T Is useless. Come.
Miss Blank surprised her muscles ~
smiling II had been SO many weeks
since they had relaxed. She Went 20 me
plain, sunny little home, and soon. by
n process Of thawtng. had told her
story. When she had finished tho In
spirer left her little chair by the WIN
dow and shook her guest by tho shout
dcrs as though she were small girl
whom she was trying to frighten.
Look ut me. Lucy Blank, she said
~ am ashamed Of YOU. With that
glorious voice. With sound health.
with good friends. With Your life
only half-lived-wcll trinc more than
half pcrhaps. hut not enough more TO
matter. Ana YOU aI' LdihIhe VI Ci'
ing w. OF fake being against YOU.
Now stop it."
.That.s all very we'll" Miss Blank
was sobbing now in II spiritless way,
the tears trickling between her fingers.
hut my clothes are bad and I haven't
n cent 10 buy new ones. can't look
for q concert engagement In 'atters
like these"
That sobered tho Inspirer for an
instant. hut not longer You showed
ne a trunk full Of lovely things ,ha,
had belonged 20 your mother They
are az rich material handsonIer than
you or could buy now And the style
IS almost UP 70 the moment y few
afternoons \ your room trying on and
altering and youll look like a million
dollars
/, Was done and Miss Lucy Blank
went proudly forth ana signed con
tract for the ueyt season Withhold the
first manager she called upon. that Is
the way Of novels hut not OF ltte no.
tina pr!zas ot l!te 10 not come 10 us
quite - "asil, as that-but with the
tNirE [anaEer she called upon.
ShtIwcnt up 20 the sunny !ittle fat
and TOOK the wenan's hand in hers and
-. but d,Me.en,ly than AT her las,
i believe would have Enled ny
born lusr:re-"
Tas Inspirers esio2s Win ?,, the "'n .ss
bere CCeNt agents, the oi!IGefS, the
heaters the .ccns"rvavors, high in the
rlan- ~ ~ sStr ,isetu!ness
We are.N ~ and aatten now and
then into tlut1, mood ot discourage
rryr- states OF urhelef in ourselves
and tae 2i',- modes, though they be.
that came VITO being WITH us that
were ru- cradle mates What We need
= ,fue~ ;~ cot the builder. We are
o. -aro5 TOO weak 10 follow MIN in his
49, a,d plans SOY me healer, FOR
sick No. The couserya,ors for Ne are
firmly az the Convection that We have
nothing 10 he saved and arc no, our
sclvcs worth saving Our need Is Tor
the lnspire- Il" w.N pump new moral
courage into Us, a new consignment Of
sci: esteem ana round us gu, with
abundant seH-rcllance At times like
this he Is a divine mission.