The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-03-25
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE
CURTAIN.
By Gertrude Cushing.

Copyright, 1921, by Wheeler Syn
dictate, Inc.)
The snow fell as though it would
never stop. On the outskirts Of
the city a woman with tear-dim-
med eyes watched her little son
plunge into the whirling storm to
win with his violin the sHstenance
she could no longer obtain
All day the snow fell. Sometimes
so gently that one could fancy q
great mantle was spread over the
earth to. hide all unsightly objects
under its Disgusting whiteness.
Then again, tossed and swept into
tall drifts which held man and
beast shrinkingly at bay. At 8
O'Clock the lights in shop windows
blinked dimly through the shroud-
ed panes.
In 4 lull OF the storm Eugene.
tempted by the hope of winning a
few last coins, had sought refuge
in. sheltered doorway, and taking
his violin from its case, drew the
bow lovingly across the strings.
A few low, sweeping chords and
then out upon the air foated the
strains of Gounod's ave Maria"
The boy stood we'll back out of the
range of the falling flakes, and the
sound, coming thus from an un-
seen source, reached the ears of be-
lated shoppers, who were now hur-
rying homeward, with startling ef-
feet. AS the music rose and fell
one after another paused and stood
spellbound, held by the magic OF
the boys art. When the last notes
dropped lower and lower, the final
AVE" fell like long-drawn sign
upon the listeners ears,
A young girl stepped from
neaIby flower shop. The music
caught her. too, in its spell, and she
waited until the boy, carefully
tucking his violin under his shah
by coat, had passed his cap for the
silver, which fell in a tinkling
shower. Impulsiyely she thrust a
banknote into his hand.
The boy made movement to re-
fuse. 1T is too much, >mademois-
ellie"
A sudden thought came to aid
them both. Her flowers were for
Monsieur Trouvere at the opera
house. will you take them and
put them into his own hands? You
| can earn the money So"
Eugene promised. He would have
done much more for her.
Inside the opera house all was
light and movement. A new opera
was to have its first presentation.
The air was punctuated by a myr-
lad of confused sounds. Two OF
| three. members of the orchestra
were scraping and blowing doubt
full phrase here and there. Seems
shifters, coatless and perspiring
scuffied about the huge stage, and
everywhere the voice Of the direc-
| tor could be heard Cabling and
swearing. There was little hint
of the dismal conditions outside.
Shivering with cold, hunger and
excitement, eugene maze MS way
to the stage door. A kind-eyed old
man answered his knock. The boys
unusual request amused him
I"Afraid to trust me, Ell? Well
come along. The big man isn't
here yet but you can put them Ia
his dressing room. We'd better
knock, Just the same. Oh! give q
good one, like this: and bent upor
bringing q smile to the boys sobel
lface, the man struck an attitude
and gave tho door q vigorous blow
with his fat fist.
/ There was a startled ,exclama
ton from within and the man sour.
Tried down the passage. The dool
was flung wide and the boy, tot
frightened to run, faced the grea
tenor.
/ At sight of the little viollnist
Monsieur Treuyere smiled broadly
'ee twas 5eu attsfins dawn my