The Crittenden press., 1920-08-17
Ice Cream Supper
Brown School House
Saturday Night, Aug. FL
KIDNAPPED
BY REBEccAr. FARNHAM.


his watch and qulckened the speed Of
his ear as he swept on toward the
lights Of Greenville showing In the dis
tance. As he entered the town the tig-
ure OF a girl walking along the side
walk caught his eye. Suddenly sweep
Ing down beside her he stopped the
car.
"DO you slngf"
She turned and stared somewhat
dumbly. Then she nodded
Jump IN then" And before she
knew exactly what had happened she
WAS sitting by his side as they rolled
on nearer and nearer the center OF the
town.
Finally the ear stopped before a
building with the words "Greenville
theater" In blazing letters above II.
The girl gave a sigh OF relief as she
saw that this was her captor's destlna-
ton. A few minutes later she had
passed with him through the stage en-
trance into the theater and was lis
tening TO the explanation Of his mystic
rlOus conduct.
ITS vaudeville act-singing. My
sopranos gone back on me. can't
sing alone tonight. It's something out
OF the ordinary. and I've got TO make
good impression. Can't change my
I program now. DO you know all these
songsy'
She glanced through several sheets
/ OF music thrust into her hands. "All
right" she said calmly. ~ know them
ALL"
Good Here's the costumes and
makeup. Wear the Irish one. Green,
you know. Four minutes"
Grant had cause 10 be excited. Out
there In the audience. as he had scarce.
ly - hours ago learned through
I nd.about means, a scout OF IA
nous opera company was sitting. He
had come there to hear him sing with
his soprano. Suddenly Grant felt a
chill Of horror and fear creep over
him. Wbat.if this girl were really in
competent. after nll. and caused the
| act To he failurel What chance then
would he have OF making a good i'm
preston upon that scout and becoming
singer In opera instead OF mere
vaudeville artistf He turned to the
girl with some vague Idea OF telling
her that she wasn't wanted after all
But Just then the curtain went up and
he heard the piano begin the opening
measures Of the song
He forgot all about his fears In the
next moment as her strong. thrilling
voice r'se with his. Man alive! Had
he ever thought he had good so
prano before? The applause rose In
volume OF sound AS the last encore was
finished. Behind the scenes Grant
found words very inadequate to eX'
press his emotions.
"You can't know" he began. what
you've done for me tonight. You have
wonderful voice. You ought TO d.
something with II. Have you ever
thought OF III"
ayes, have thought OF IT," the girl
answered slowly.
Suddenly Grant realized that the fig
ure In clInglng green was most ador
able bit Of girldom.
II don't even know your name yet.
he said. "My name Is Grant Fisher.
III you don't mind" replied the girl
IL think ] will get dressed"
"Tm u foot" he exclaimed. "You
had some important engagement ant
I've made you break II, Is II some
thing that can still be attended toi"
Il was only coming here" she an
swered with little smile. Il was to,
late. anyway. To see but half the
show, and ! had the rare eXperienc,
OF taking part In the vaudeville. Thanh
you for that"
She bowed In farewell aud wen
away. leaving him In u state Of bewil
derment.
For the next few days Grant spen
; half his spare time IN securing IN,
streets Of Greenville In his roadster
anxious for another glimpse Of the girl
The other half he was riding ban
| from Greenvllle To his headQuarter
In the city. always on the wntch 70
the longed.for message from the oper,
company.
At last the summons came and a
the appointed hour he was being ush
cred into an Office where were tw,
desks. ut one Of which sat the might,
parsonage.
"Mr. Fisher" said Mr.. Towpsend
I should first like 10 introduce yo,
TO my rlght.hsnd man. Miss Elols
, Radlin."
Grant turned toward the other des
and--there sat the girl. Somehow h
managed TO pull himself out of hi
Hmazement long enough TO make th
necessary polite remarks. Mr.. Town
, send went on:
"Nliss Radlin is the chief cause O
your being here. MIR Fisher. We nee
another tenor and when I heard ,
you sent Miss Radlin as a scout Sh
has Informed me that we can't d
, without you;' and us she herself Is q
important soprano. who sings unn
times In combination with u tensr.
, think she ought to know"
Grunt looked toward Eloise and w
delighted to see her blush. Thee.
|. Mr.. Townsend went into the next ros