The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-27

Winnie Andrews gazed at her wonderirgly
just as Herman and Grant appeared They dis
cussed the girls plight and decided to work out
some plan Of saving the girl and breaking Herr
man. Mona and Mary took the girl to their home
The next morning Mary appeared at Herr
mans studio.
II have called to whether it would be
possible for to be enrolled of your
students?' she hesitated bashfully. MY name is
Roberts,"
The Professor smiled, and rubbed his hands.
I'VE are always looking for promising stu
dents" He looked at her again appraisingy.
Have you had vocal lessons before?"
Mary shook her head. "No-but I have been
told so often that have remarkable voice. and
that it ought to be developed that l would like
to have the opinion of expert like yourself"
Just So just so! You are acting wisely.
1t will be pleasure to test your tone qualities
and infections, Miss Roberts If you will follow
me, l will take you to our private conserv atory
and will do myself the pleasure of examining
your possibilities myself, rather than entrusting
YOU to assistant"
Professor Herman closed the door. twired
the piano stool with flourish and seating him
self at the instrument asked Mary if she had
any favorte piece of music that she would like
TO sing The girl named popular melody at
random, and the Professor ratified off the refrain,
playing with the exaggerated flourish of yaude
Vile artist" Mary sang through the opening
verse. and the chorus, She quite well aware
that Nature had not given her voice and that
the most expert teaching in the world could never
have developed any vocal ability in her. But
she sang with all the eagerness and trepidat ton,
which she imagined young woman, hoping for a
musical career, would display. When she finished,
the Professor swung around his stool and
again rubbed his hands
Marvellous. Marvelous!" he cried Permit
TO congratulate you, my dear young lady
Assuredly you have a tremendous future before
you'll l great credit to from your
enrolment a student Yes, l can see that you
have done wisely, very wisely in coming to u.s."
After the necessary arrangements regarding
money, etc, Mary left.
Several days after she had been given her
first lesson, Mary felt it safe enough to venture
on intimate footing with Herman. AS
they were concluding their lesson" she said in
sudden burst of confidence, "If | only had the
money | had year ago, could organize my
opera company, and win fame easy!"
As the Professor expressed his sympathy, she
explained that her father had been swindled of
a large fortune by two unscrupulous SPECTATORS
who had visited her home town, and that she had
suddenly found herself thrown on the world, with
the necessity of making her living instead
of looking forward to a life of ease and luxury
She dropped the subject abruptly, though
able to endure the bitter memories which it
called up Two days later, however, she returned
to 1t excitedly.
What do you think has happened today
Professor" she asked.
II am SURE ! have no idea" the sym
pathetic answer Tell mer'
You remember the story telling you
of the two swindlers who had stolen my fathers
fortune?'
Certainly! They ought to be put behind the
bars"
We'll. they are in town now, and they have
brought with them a girl. who used to be my