The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1922-03-09
MELODY ANN
BY FRANCES {. GOODRICH.


"When Melody Ann takes them high
notes Il makes shivers go right I'D
your backbone" said Deacon Brown,
and the other villagers agreed with
him.
TOO bad Melody Ann is so odd"
they said. IF she'd only dress her
self up bit and not look so gawky
she might get fellow as we'll as the
other girls; but, lands sake, all she
thinks of Is getting of by herself
somewhere and singing"
She was odd. When the other young
people were enjoying themselves with
lively country amusements, Melody
Ann was roaming through the woods
or by the sea, singing in her high,
unframed voice.
The mist slowly dissolved itself In
pink, glistening dawn, and Melody Ann
caught her breath for a moment with
the beauty and mystery of It, Then,
like bird carolling the new day, her
voice rose sweet and piercing in a
hymn of praise.
She did not hear the automobile
that stopped by the gate, nor see the
heavily-built, black-bearded man who
left the car and walked toward the
back Of the house, so she was much
startled when gruff voice said "Greati
Do that over again. girl" Jumping
up, she looked into black eyes that
shone with eagerness She stood look
ing at the stranger In establishment,
when his impatient command again
broke his silence. "But-but-I don't
know what ! was singing" STAN
mered Melody Ann. II just sing that
way most all the time"
swell, you can sing the scale. can't
your he asked.
"Oh, yes, sir. We are taught to
sing that way In school," and, always
glad to obllge when she could, she
sang the scale. Then an octave high
er. then still higher, but the man
raised his hand. "That WIN do. Where
are your parentsl want to see
them"
my father and mother are dead and
live with grandmother Won't you
come inT and she led the way into
the little kitchen, where the table was
laid for breakfast Mrs. Carwin ap-
peared and with simple hospitality
made a place for the stranger at the
table.
With shy amazement Melody Ann
heard him tell her grandmother that
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 tears in her eyes slowly shook
her head. II know her voice is DIFF
ferent from most, but we haven't any
money for to have 1t trained now. |
Perhaps as soon SIS she gets to work
herself she can earn little and take
lessons"
But the man shook his head impa-
"Poof, we cannot wait until |
she can earn the money. The time to
start this training is now, and the
money will be provided. In New York
there is a 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 There
were many nights when she crept into
bed, wishing with all her heart she
was back in the little house on the
hill, singing just as she liked.
For some time a thought had trou-
bled Melody Ann. 1t seemed so I'M
grateful not to see her benefactor and
thank him, even II he would have to
wait a long time until she could re-
pay him. She preached the subject to
the teacher, but he discouraged it.
"Wait until your first public appear
ance, and then you shall meet him."
he said.
At last the day, the hour, the mo-
ment, and Melody Ann, In a simple
frock of white, stood alone before that
swaying sea Of faces. A strange faint
ness held her for an instant, then the
orchestra began the familiar air, the
faces faded and before her lay the
valley. and she was well
coming the dawn.
The music stopped and her eyes saw
the lights again and the faces, and
she felt the tense silence. Then ap-
plauss rolled like thunder through the
great hall. She saw her teacher. rsth-
q white faced, but smiling. and
nodding happily with
tears rolling down her cheeks.
At last the crowd was gone and
Melody Ann stood face to face with
shs man who had made her success
possible.
A year later Melody Ann sat on the
back step waiting for the nrst pink
aush to waken the gray mist to life.
but she was not slons. A strong hand
held her own tenderiy. and Melody
Ann looked into her husbands eyes