The Holt County sentinel., 1918-12-06
ESTHER'S
CAREER,
an
N PAIL. FAY
Dy PAUL FAY
i9is. by tile Mcclure Newsps
per eyndicate.D

per syndicateJ
'Miss Moore. you have wonderful
voice. You can easily win a career
with IT," J. Edward Rulifson, in.
structor In vocal music. In u wide.
awake western town, spoke with u
warmth he rnrcly showed.
Esther Moore listened with q flush
on her cheek and u brilliant gleum In
her eyes. And as she listened. she
smiled In anticipation Of the honors
che would win.
That evening Esther pnd Roland
Lewis went to the theater together.
For sose rcason Or otl,cr. there
seemed n 4A<rcnce be-.
tween evenings.
Esther wus in her
conversation. 1tJs-. plainly
puzzled. He strove to 1iSpei the cold.
ness. But he wns not successful.
A light supper wns no morc sue
cessfui. when they reached her home
they sut down In the living RON. For
d while the conversation Jagged. At
last, Roland could stand II no longer.
lie spoke up impatiently.
ESTHER. what on earth is the mat
Ter tonignf You net rs II you had
swallowed I'M iceberg"
She hcsitnted a moment. then stnm.
mered out: Il think we had-well.
hud better break our engagement"
Roland did not move muscle.
However. his fuce became ny white
NJ marble; his jaws snapped iirmly
shut; his lips were a thin, colorlcss
line.
'linye you such thing Ms u reason
or did you forget to provide one for
the occusioni" lie spoke slowly.
coldly.
Seeing the result OF her anr ounce
ment on Roland. the girl was little
conscience stricken.
"licnily. Roland. ! did not think
you would tukc Il that way. But Mr..
Rulifson snid ! could win career
with my voice. Aud would you have
me give II w and get murricdi"
"Not nt all. Of course. u career II
a great deal better than mere love. !
wish you success Ia II. Good.bycW
lie got W nnd went Out. Esther
expected, yes. she hoped. he would
kiss her goodbye. but he did not
do No.
As time passed. Esther grew more
and more pruilcIcht III her work. licr
teacher became Very enthusiastic
about her. lie introduced her iuto
eUcl.ty. uud she CAV. many private
rcciinls. Sh" was IN continual de-
mand for dinner parties. II WAS the
fad oi suclriy IL hear her singing. Mn
sicluns of note listened To her aud
praised her voice.
Thus. II wns no great wonder that
the girls hrnd brcnnr slightly turned.
She forget her old friends. forget iu'
land, forgot everything except TINT
she hnd II wonderful nna successful
career before her.
one dny Esihcr's happiness reached
Its climax. She was Invited 10 lunch
con nt the home of the most popular
soclni leader of the town. Mrs. De
Lnmnter wns not only popular but
wealthy. a man of foreign appearance
was also nt the luncheon. The hostess
introduced him TO Esther ns one of
the cOuniry's greatest vocal teachers.
The girl sang for him. When she
was through. he said nothing. but
nodded his head TO Mrs. DE LnmateI
The conversation. Of course. wns
chiefly about music. Tho musician
seemed pleased ut Esther's knowl.
edge.
Finally. the hostess called Esther
TO her side.
"Aiiss Moore" she said, show would
you like To study u few years In New
York with Professor Rinardof"
"Why, Mrs. DE Lamater, LOT
course. l." The girl stopped In con.
fusion. She did not know what to
say. The question astounded her.
The woman smiled and continued I:
'Of course, II IL not compulsory. but
] would like to have you go. Pro-
fessor Rinardo considers your voice
exceptionally fine and worthy Of
training. viii send you to his school
until he says you're perfect. VIII
you g0f'
II would love to-" Esther sank on
her knees beside her benefactress,
elbow Gun ! ever thank your"
"By winning honors In u SUCCESSFUL
career. BE ready to start Saturday
night. ! will see about your ward.
robe"
Esther left with her head ina whlrl.