Norwich bulletin., 1916-06-01
The Singer and Her Reward.


 Miss Ames, won't you come up to the hospital this afternoon with me?" And the speaker pushed her head through the half opened door and smiled brightly.
 Helen Ames looked up drearily, a refusal on her lips, but she hesitated a moment before deciding. After all, 1t might do her good to get out in the sun and forget about her troubles.
 Helen had come to New York from small town in the west. Like hum dredS of other girls, she had a sweet voice and thought she would set the world on fire with it if she might have the study and the means to cultivate it. Her father had finally been per suaded to allow her to come to the city for a voice examination
 If I can sing before Madame Bron- te,' she had said, eagerly, T will abide by whatever she tells me"
 And that morning she had obtained hearing from the great prina donna and all her hopes and aspirations had been dashed to the ground.
 You have a very sweet voice, my dear" the woman had said kindly, after Helen had sung simple melody ] in her clear, sweet soprano, "but your voice is not destined to be a great one. You can sing yes; you have the quail ] ty, the tirnbre, but no great power. You might study for years, and your 1 singing would improve, your technique l might become perfect, but your power would never be great, your range would be mediocre and your sympa- | thetic tones, which are your greatest possessions, would not be greatly fm- ] proved."
 Helen's lips had tremlbled childishly. She had looked forward with all her heart to this interview. She had de- termined to work and study and show 1 her father and all of the Gainesville l Gfu c110 f l become. And now it was all over; she | had a sweet voice, but she would never | be a great singer.
 | t'Go on studying at home child; per- feet your technique, do church work l A voice like yours has its place in the 1 world. Do not imagine that, because you may never be an opera singer your place is not just as securely fix ed, for it is. Work our your own des- tiny in your own way and life will bring you much happiness"
 Helen thought it all over as she I walked up to the big gray hospital or the hill. The kindly woman who 11aG the room next her own in the board ing house had somehow suspected tht girls unhappiness and had said yer. little on the way up. Once inside tht great cool place, the quiet and peacl of it fell like cooling spirit on klt girls hurt feelings. She heard thu woman say:
 T have some flowers for the ltttl Gordon girl" and then Helen followed her upstairs and into the children, ward, where little hurt bodies were ly l ing in rows, following the stranger with their eyes, as Helen and he friend walked between the cots, Tn
 little Gordon girl had something tn
 matter with her spine and she smile as Helen's companion laid the flower
 down beside her.
 Wouldn't you like to sing then i something?" said the woman gently
 T have heard you in your room an i" your voice is soft and sweet" a Helen flushed, but she began a 1ttl
 sIunber song and followed 1t with children's nonsense rhyme. Laughte < echoed over tEse long room, and tn little Gordon girls thin fingers tight $ ened on Helen's own.
 \ You have such sweet bird in you
 throat" she whispered. "Sing som n more" And Helen silently stroked th a little hand and began the song she ha ], sung for Madame Bronte. LILLIAN M. BREHAUT. East Norwich, N. r.