Marion Marlowe's Courage: A Brave Girl's Struggle for Life and Honor — page 25: what you’re looking at

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~ One was a man of thirty, of Hebrew origin, whose affluent circumstances were plainly ap- parent. ; ei 4 The other was a German, well dressed, but lgar in appearance, and wearing a diamond stud that resembled the headlight of an en- rine. ~ “T tell you, we’d beat them hands down if it wasn’t for Carlotta,” the German was Ssay- ing. “We open the same night, and we've got to beat them! And we can do it if we can get one more first-class singer.” “Tf I could only have got Carlotta to sing my song,” said his companion, sighing, “‘it would have been the hit of the evening, but it was just my luck not to get her.” _ “She’s their winning card,” began the Ger- man again, but with a sudden exclamation his companion interrupted him. | 3 “Great Jerusalem, Otto, just hear that voice! Who’ the mischief is she? Quick! She’s down_here with that preacher !”’ , aes regular Patti!’ cried the German, hur- “Bosh! Patti isn’t in it with that girl!” was the answer. “Why, her voice is like a lark—it’s as fresh as a wild flower! that’s about what she is,” he added as “he ~ caught sight of the singer- 4 . _ Both mem stood-spellbound as Marion fin- ished the hymn. They had removed their hats almost involuntarily as they listened* _ As Marion’s last note died away she looked around in embarrassment. The spell of ex- altation had left her+-she was almost fright- LS ES IE A Be SALES — “Thank you,” said Mr. Hal way. “That was a treat, deed aks .a grand one.” » ~~ “T couldn’t help singing,” said Marion, sim- _ ply. “It is one of our old hymns that we ‘Sing up in the country.” v The crowd stared at her curiously as she ¥ “aa ¥ : in his cordial and the hymn re a _ turned away, and would probably have ap- ___ plauded had not the preacher objected. “No! No! Not now! Not at this time!” he said, smiling. “The child is a friend of mine; she only did it to help me.” “She'll make more converts than you will, Mr. Haley!” called a jovial voice in the _ « The preacher laughed good-naturedly as he answered. . F __._ “I hope’she will, I am sure, Mr. Smythe. It would be a pity if that voice could not _ cheer the soul of some poor sinner.” _ Marion was hurrying away, when two men . stepped up to her. _ _ I beg your pardon, miss.” said Marcus : Rosen, the song writer, politely, “I have just _ been listening to your beautiful singing. You By MY QUEEN. And | ep ft maybe you will find that I am waser.than Zid haveta magnificent voice. Pray tell me who trained it.” Marion looked up at him sharply an the eagerness in his face. ) “Tt has never been trained, sir, by any one,” she said, simply. “I sing as I feel—l know nothing of method.” “Well, you are one in a thousand,” said the man again. “But tell me, are you engaged to sing anywhere at present? Would you ac- cept an offef if my friend here should make you one?” Marion stared at the speaker in_ blank’ amazement. She could hardly believe that such good fortune could come to her. “T will, indeed,” she said, very timidly; “but as I told you ‘at first, I know nothing about singing.” ) The German, whose name was Otto Von- dererift, took a card from his pocket and handed it to her. “Call.on me to-morrow morning at ten o’clock,” he said. “I have a dittle song that IT want you to learn, and then if you will sing it at my opening concert I will give you one hundred dollars.” ¢ se. a. Marion ttied to thank him, but burst out— crying. 2 “T will, be there without fail,’’ managed to stammer. “Sou could have got her for a tenspot, Otto,” said the younger man as'they walked along. “‘Can’t you see, she’s from the coun- try and mighty hard up? You must be get- ting a little reckless with your ducats.” “Perhaps so,” said Vondergrift, smiling, d saw # you. That girl’s voite is phenomenal. She wil! make a fortune for me! Amd she’s just green enough, my boy, to’think that I’m an anga”” oon a | “You. mean. that. shell appreciate your handsome offer so highly that the manager of the ‘Ohio’ will not be able to buy her over! Well, if she does she’ll be the first singer to do it,’ was the answer, “and after she sings for you one night she'll have plenty of offers.” “That’s exactly why I made my price so high,” said Vondergrift again; “I have antici- pated these offers and bagged my prima donna!” 3 “You may be right,” said the other, slowly, “and, anyway, it’s your money, not mine. She certainly can sing, and that is what we are atter. Why, Carlotta is a mere croaker compared with our rustic.” Marion sped home like the wind to carry the good news to Dollie, and for a time the two girls were almost radiantly happy. In the first mail the next morning Marion received a letter. It was from her sister Sa- mantha, the first she had had from her. Ao aD she finally | COMmMicdoo € SS (G (0)