Guy Hammersley; or, Clearing his Name — page 51: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

42 GUY HAMMERSLEY. startled at he knew not exactly what, and all his prej- udices against Colonel Starr reasserting themselves in force. ‘‘What did Miss Stanwix tell you?” ‘¢Something that the colonel told her on the way down stairs this afternoon. You know they are old friends and neighbors, and in mentioning to her that he had heard me sing that morning in church, he added that he was surprised I did not seek a larger public, and intimated, so Miss Stanwix tells me, that as soon as I recovered from the shock of the accident he would formally propose an engagement to me for a series of concerts.” “ Oh, mother,” cried Guy, ‘‘ surely you would not think of accepting! Lower yourself to go about the country likea combination show. Itis preposterous.” ‘‘Guy, you are absurdly prejudiced,” responded Mrs. Hammersley with considerable asperity. ‘‘ Does Patti lower herself? Was Jenny Lind preposterous? But wait till you hear more. It has nothing to do with a theatrical venture. Colonel Starr—who won his title by most honorable service in the war—is a member of a prominent firm of piano manufacturers, and is therefore intensely interested in musical mat- ters. He is very anxious to form a company to travel with Miss Ruth Farleigh, an English girl who has just come over here, and who is a marvelous performer on the violin. As I told you, he more than hinted he was going toask me tojoin the company, and I think should he do so I would accept. And I dare say that he could find a position for you with the organization. Indeed, he must do so, or I will not consent.” It was months since Guy had seen his mother so EOMMIC OOS (c@) m