Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1930-06-13

/ with the powerful shoulders was on
his feet. He bowed to Ernestine, and
he bowed around the room, and every
where hands began to dap and there
were shouts OF joyous approval at
sight Of him.
With gesture indescribably COM
placent, he held up his hand for silence
and got 1t instantly. Standing so, his
chest pushed out like pouter
| pigeons, his body rocking back on his
heels, his napkin In his hand, which
he flourished from time to time, he
began to sing.
1t was Sfegfried's cry Of Joy, when
he passed through the flames and
found the sleeping Brunhilde. Ernes-
tine recognized 1t, as she recognized
the man. He was Mostane, one Of the
worlds greatest tenors. And she had
criticized his mannerl But now, all
else was swept away, and she lived
only through her ears, on which fell
each perfect note. She knew in de-
lightful anticipation what his golden
voice would do next, and her heart
scared with his voice.
He stopped abruptly, rocked mo-
ment on his heels and then gently,
softly, poignantly he sang without ac-
compartment:
Still vie die Nacht
Tief vie das Nicer
Sol define Liebe sein.
The tears rained down Ernestine's
cheeks. He sat down in a storm of
excited applause. Ernestine could not
stop crying. She leaned on Wills
shoulder, for he came and sat beside
her and put his arm about her. When
at last she could breathe steadily she
rose and went around the table to
Mostane and took his fat face in her
two hands and kissed him.
There was a cheer from all the
tables, and Will cleaned at her with
approval for her spontaneity.
Nothing else was adequate" de-
clared Mr.. Poole.
The hours passed in trance. The
patronage in the dining room changed,
grew noisier, more turbulent. Girls
came and went on the stage, and
danced and sang, and twinkled pretty
feet, and flicked bare knees. 1t was
all an unreal blending of sight and
sound and color, and Ernestine's heart
was far away, in some lonely space
with VIII. Her being still trembled
with that last swelling note. Dimly
in her mind she felt an awakening of
artistic comprehension, spiritual I'M
Outstanding of the strength and power
of perfect performance. VIII had
latent in him some such force, but 1t
was far from impulses to such finished
authority. Her thought was not that
clear, but cropping.
1t was time to go home, and Ernes-
tine wanted viii to take her away
from the others. But she saw that
Mr.. Poole was not himself at all any
longer. VIII always took him home,
from the Office, from such affairs as
this, to his fiat. Ernestine felt that
she could not bear to be parted from
VIII tonight.
She became conscious of a man
standing behind her, little to one
side, regarding her gravely, quietly.
She glanced up at him but did not
know him. He was huge man, with
great dark head and clear dark
skin. He wore sack suit, and his
narrow tie glittered with ruby OF
enormous size, set IL gold circle.
On one Of his big brown hands, which
were covered with coarse black hair,
was another such gem. Ernestine re-
membered with a feeling Of faintness
all the wild stories she had heard
about Pastano's place being so disor-
derby. VIII. at least, was sober, as
he always was.
Mr.. Poole now saw the stranger,
greeted him and called him to the
table.
"And this is Mrs. Todd, my young
friends wife. You. know VIII, of
course, and the others. Ernestine,
this is Ruby Pastano, jewel merchant,
ward boss, and the owner Of this dive.
A bad mana terrible man. Shake
hands with him."
Mr.. Poole was enjoying himself and
looked up at Pastano with glee. Mr..
Pastano did not smile. He still fixed
on Ernestlne that queer solemn look.
He bowed above her.
''Sit down, Ruby, sit DOWN." COM
manded Mr.. Poole thickly, and mo-
toned for a waiter to bring chair,
which was produced instantly.
Mr.. Pastano sat down between Mr..
Poole and Ernestine, and she felt his
gravity spreading about the table, SO
that all were little Quieted.
"This is my birthday" Ernestine ex-
planned graciously. Il am twenty-one
years old today. and Mr.. Poole was
kind enough to have a party for me.
Now that you have come, it is more
charming"
"Your voice" he said, his own tone
soft and silky. 'Where are you bornY'
She told him, naiyely, the address
Of her mothers house.
49,