Mountain advocate., 1922-03-24
MELODY ANN
BY FRANCES e. eoooRIcH.

As usual she was singing, otherwise
she would not have been Melody Ann.
"When Melody Ann takes them high
notes II makes shiyers go right up
your backbone" said Deacon Brown,
and the other villagers agreed with
him.
"Too bad Melody Ann Is so odd"
they said. III she'd only dress her
self up bit and not look so gawky
she might get fellow us we'll as the
other girls; but, lands sake, all she
thinks of is getting Off by herself
somewhere and singing
She was odd. When the other young
people were enjoying themselves with
lively country amusenents, Melody
Ann was roaming through the woods
or 10y the sea, singing in her high,
unframed voice.
Tie mist slowly dissolved itself in
pink, glisteniug dawn, and Melody Ann
caught her breath for n moment with
the beauty aud mystery of IT. Then,
like bird ciirolling the new day, her
voice rose sweet and piercing in n
hymn of praise.
She did not hear the automobile
that stopped by the gate, nor see the
heavily-buit, black bearded man who
left the car and walked toward the
| back Of the house, so she was much
! startled when gruff voice said Great!
! Do that over again, girl" Jumping
! up, she looked into black eyes that
shone with eagerneSS. She stood look
| ing Mt the stranger in astOnishment,
/ when his impatient command again
| broke his silence. "But-but--I don't
! know what | was singing" stam-
mered Melody Ann. IL just sing that
! way most all the time"
"Well, you can sing the scale, can't
/ you?" he asked.
"Oh, yes, sir. We are taught TO
sing that way in school" and, always
! glad to oblige when she could, she
| sang the scale. Then an octave high
er, then still higher, but the man
raised his hand. THAT will do. Where
are your parents? l want to see
them"
4
live with grandmother. Won't you
come IMP and she led the way into
the little Kitchen, where the table was
laid for breakfast. Mrs. Carwin ap-
reared and with simple hospitality
made n place for the stranger mt the
table.
With shy amazement Melody Ann
heard him tell her grandmother that
I her voice was remarkable one. 1t
was his business to find and train just
such voices as Melody AIMS.
Mrs. Carwin listened eagerly; then
with fears in her eyes slowly shook
her head ~ know her voice is DIFF
ferent from most, but we haven't any
money for to have it trained now.
Perhaps as soon as she gets to work
herself she can earn little and take
LESSONS"
But the man shook his head impa-
tiently. "POOf, we cannot wait untll
she can earn the money. The time to
start this training is now, and the
money will be provided. In New YORK
there is man Of great wealth who
gives literally to train such girls as
your granddaughter"
That evening the little house over
looking the valley was closed and Mrs
Carwin and Melody Ann went away IN
the big car to a new life.
Then began work such as Melody
Ann had never dreamed of. Ther'
were many nights when she crept int
bed, wishing with all her heart she
) WINS back In the little house on th'
hill, singing just as she liked.
For some time thought had trou
2 hled Melody Ann. 1t seemed so un
grateful not to see her benefactOr ant
> thank him, even if he would have T.
wait a long time until she could re
nav him. She brOached the subject Il
the teacher but he discouraged II
swat until your first public appear
anee, and then you shall meet him.
he said.
At last the day, the hour, the mo
ment. and Melody Ann, in a simpl
frock Of white, stood alone before tina
swaying sea of faces. A strange faint
ness held her for an instant, then tn
orchestra began the familiar air, tn
faces faded and before her lay tn
mist-Alled valley, and she was we
coming the dawn.
The music stopped and her eyes SAY
the lights again and the faces, an
she felt the tense silence. Then al
plnuse rolled like thunder through tn
great hall. She saw her teacher, ratf
or white faced, but smiling, an
grandmother nodding happily wit
tears rolling down her cheeks.
At last the crowd was gone an
Melody Ann stood face to face wit
the man who had made her succes
possible.
A year later Melody Ann sat on II
hack step waiting for the first pin