Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-10-06

She could not have fold why, oXccEt
that she had been overcome by mis-
crably forlorn feeling. All the mental
props she relied upon were knocked
out from under her. Somehow those
few scrawicd words had flung swiftly
before. Hike Il picture on II screen, Il
vision OF hcI baby toddling uncertain
ly across the porch OF tEc white bungn.
low. And she could not bear to think
OF that
When the elm before her window
broke into leaf and tho soddcn winter
skies were transformed into warm
spring vista of blue Stella was singing
special engagement In Il local vuude-
Vile house that boosted Il big time"
bin. She had stepped up. The silvcry
richness OF her voice had carried her
name already beyond local boundaries,
as the singing master under whom she
studied prophcslcd 1t would. In proof
thereof she received during April
feminine committee OF two from Van
courcr bearing an offer OF $500 for her
appearance In series of three con-
certs under the auspices Of tho Wom-
oi q "uSiAoi IihD, W given Ill Tic
ballroom of Nnncouvcrs new million
dollar hostclry, tho Granada. The date
was mid-July. She took tho offer un-
der ndviscmcnt, promising decision
In ten days.
Tho money tempted her. That was
her greatest need now, not for her
daily bread, but for IN accumulated
fund that would enable her to reach
New York and ultimately Europe, IL
that seemed the most direct route to
her goal. She had no doubts about
reaching 1t now. Confidence came to
abide with her. She throvc on work
And with increasing salary her fund
grew. Coming from any other source.
she would have accepted this further
augmentation Of 1t without hesitation
since for comparative beginner It
was Il liberal offer.
But Vancouver was F!f $ h.u.,
town. 1t had been hers. Many pc. rl.
knew her. The local apcrS would fra.
turc her. She did not know how Fyfr
would take 1t. She did not even know
If there had been my open talk of
their separation. Money. she felt, was
biAihii NiiiiitS oltllllS oNl SoIcS.
For herself. she was tolcrnbly indifrcr-
cnt to Nnncouvcr's social estimate Of
her or her acts. Nevertheless so long
as she bore I'yfc's name sic did not
feel free to make herself public flg-
ure there without his sanction. So
she wrote to him In some detail con-
corning the offer nnd asked point blank
If 1t mattcrcd to him.
His answer came with uncnnny
promptncSs, rs If every mail connec-
ton had heen made OH the minute lie
wrote;
II II Is to your advantage to sing here
by oil means accept. Why should It mat
tor to mc2 would even DO glad TO come
and hear YOU sing II could do so without
stirring UP vain longings and useless re-
grcts. As for tho other considerations you
mention. they arc Of no weight at all.
mover wanted t. keep you In n glass case
; Even If oil were we'll between us wouldn't
have any feeling about your singing In
public other than pride In your ability To
command public favor with your voice.
It's q wonderful voice. too big and fine
thing to romain obscure. JACK.
Stella sat thoughtfully gazing at the
letter for n long time.
II wondcr?" she said aloud, and the
sound Of her own voice galvanized her
into action. She put on cont and
went out into the mellow spring sun
shine and walked TIL the aimlcSs stray
Ing OF her feet carried her to n little
park TINT overlooked the far reach Of
the sound and gave westward OH the
snowy OlymricS. thrusting hoary and
nloof to II perfect sky, like their broth
er peaks that hinged Roaring lake. And
all the tim" her mind kept turning on
question whose asking was rooted
neither In fact nor necessity, an inquiry
born OF II sentiment she had never OK
pectcd to feel.
Should she 20 back to Jack Fyfc?
She shook her head impnticntly when
she faced that squarcly. Why tread
the same bitter road again? But she
put that self interested phase OF 1t aside
and asked herself candtdly IL she could