Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 162, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 July 1911 — At the Crucial Moment [ARTICLE]

At the Crucial Moment

BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS

j When Muriel Landis found that, by dint of much saving and burning of {midnight oil, she had assured herself one term of vocal Instruction with the igreat Poppini, a conscious pride glowed warm within her. The master {had given her an appointment for the following Saturday.' ' At the appointed heur, Muriel approached the brown-stone house i which served Popplnl as a studio. Aside from an occasional tremor she seemed to be wafted along on the wings of success. The maid to whom Muriel handed her card led the way up one flight of istairs and the prospective pupil of Poppini found herself in a huge rqom, the tone of which was an appalling cold tan. Save for a few straight chairs and a grand piano of white mahogany the room Was bare Of furniture. The lone picture on the walls was a fine, brown carbon of the Beethoven Sonata, the one human touch in the strangely chilling environment Muriel’s sensatlve ear caught the sound of approaching footsteps and her heart thumbed painfully when she realized that she was in the presence of the great music master. A quick glance "at his massive shoulders and leonine head told the girl that she would always slightly fear him; his aspect was so compelling and powerful. A closer study of his face revealed to Muriel that, dominant In the expression of his large, shaded eyes and in the cut of his lips, was a passion, deep and refined —fils passion for music. “Miss Landis," he acknowledged her inclination of the head and remained standing; “Let me hear your "voice before we discuss the future." His directness appealed to Muriel. She arose and stood beside him at the piano and, although she already felt his- powerful influence, she was conscious also of her own individuality and personal strength. Her first 'tones, clear and resonant, vibrated through the room. Poppini turned to {look at her and in his eyes and glance Muriel recognized his acktknowledgment of her gift “You have the quality of a splendid ■voice," he said. “It will please me to bring out its full power." He arose. '“Sing not another note until I give you your first lesson." “Oh, "but I must sing!" Muriel exclaimed. “I must sing in order that I may study. The church quartette position I hold is necessary to my maintenance." Muriel stated her case frankly, but the wistfulness in her eyes told much to Poppini. His Insight Into human emotions was one of the secrets of his success. The skill with which he handled the artistic temperament was much to his credit “Tell me exactly what you will lose, by giving up this church work. You must have further support, have you not? Are you in an office? /If so, that must be stopped.” He spoke almost brusquely', but his kind eyes looked steadily into hers while he waited for his answer. Muriel laughed whimsically. “The choir work means my room and —anything I may need during the week. 1 live on that |15.” "Yes,” Poppini said abruptly. “What else do you do?” The girl hesitated for a moment, but there was no avoiding the man’s directness. “I —I write fiction,” she replied, “it is from that source that I have saved enough to make it possible for me to have at least one term with you. I have so wanted to study with you. Perhaps at the end of the term I may find that I have been successful enough to enable me to continue. 1 do not mind work.”

“So I see." Popplni spoke in a different tone, almost as it he were communing with himself. “Writing," he said slowly, “is not tiring so long as the candle is snuffed out before it exhausts itself.** He ran bls hands through his hair while his thoughts 'took definite form. r “Miss Landis,” said he, “you are 'in possession of a wonderful gift Walk serenely past petty obstacles and refuse to let prejudices and jealousies hamper you in your study. ‘Give up this choir position; it will retard your progress. In return for your compliance with tny wishes I want you to accept a seat at my table and a room in my house.” Muriel cast a startled glance at him. but Popplni continued without allowing her to speak. “My household is large. I have two women in charge and some pupils of mine, a Mr. Warren and his sister make their home with me. ■ There, you can write practically undisturbed. Miss Warren’s voice will be an inspiration rather than a hindrance." An accountable twinge of jealously stung Muriel. “You are very generous, Professor Popping Jbut I could not do that The very sense of my obligation would oppress me.** “Miss Landis, 1 am sure that you have the broad mind which is a glorious part of the musical temperament Let your nature respond to its meanling and demonstrative that worldly misgivings have no part in your life. 1 Accept this trifle from me.” \Muriel iras suddenly made con■pcious of the fact that this was a crisis in her lite—a turning point

■Here was her opportunity. Should she take It or lenve it? She faced him and looked squarely into his eyes. will come,” she said, “and I will try to make myself worthy of your generosity.” She arose. ‘1 shall have to find a substitute for tomorrow’s service at the church." “Miss Warren, my pupil, is ready for such practice—let me send her," suggested Poppini. “And now, waste no time. Make your arrangements to come to my house and begin your work at once." Muriel extended her hand in grateful acknowledgment of his kindness and in that moment when his great hand closed over her she realized that here was a man whose magnetism she felt keenly, Muriel was only half finished with her term of lessons when she was forced to acknowledge to herself that she was In love with her music, master. Also, she was poignantly conscious of his indifference to her as anything but a pupil. Knowing this, she spent her energy on her literary work and as if in subtle reward acceptances literally poured upon her. For a year she fought against the love which she had for him. At the end of that time a great success came to her. She sold her novelette for an unexpected sum. This made It possible for her to take a coveted trip abroad. With this in view she sought an interview with Popplnl. She found him in his studio literally crushing out a great volume of tone on the plana. When she entered he finished With a tremendous clamor and turned to face her. Muriel went to him and stood elose to the piano, calm and composed even in the face of her difficult mission.

he finished with a tremendous clamor and turned to face her. Muriel went to him and stood elose to the piano, calm and composed even in the face of her difficult mission. "Professor Popplnl," she began, "I sail for the continent at the end of the week." Poppini turned his great, dark eyes upon her. Only for a moment did he show surprise. Save for a shade of white about his eyes and a feeling that he had suddenly donned a suit of armor, Muriel, could detect no mark of the effect of her words. “Will you study—over there?” he asked. “I—don’t know—as yet I have not made up my mind.” She met his eyes and th© pain in his own brought a flush to her cheeks. “Do you tell me that you are giving up your music? —you, with your' wonderful voice?—you whom I know to be wholly wrapped up in it? I will not permit it As my pupil I forbid you to go. Stay with me only six months more, if you like —but stay! Then all musical New York shall hear you and you may leave If you please.” He arose. “Now, get on your things and go for a long walk to think it over." The girl sought relief from the strain of her emotions in a peal of laughter—laughter that savored of hysteria. “There is no use in any one’s tuylng to have a mind of her own in this house,” she said.” “Not when that mind discloses flagrant weakness.” Poppini turned to the open window and Muriel, once more defeated, left the room. During the next six months it seemed to Muriel that the music master and Miss Warren were unnecessarily friendly. The lesson hours when Miss Warren was the pupil seemed unusually long and Muriel was forced to fight her jealousy as well as her love. At the same time, she made wonderful strides in her music and she could not help but realize that a glorious future awaited her. When, at last, the night of her debut arrived, she bad never been more beautiful. In her gown of white which she wore at the suggestion—nay, command—of Popplnl. she was a lithesome figure penciled In the lines of creamy chiffon. Her great blue eyes and her dull gold hair and the confidence of youth In her manner all lent charm to the picture as she stood In the dimly lighted alcove off the stage. . At this moment she was thankful to Popplnl for having, all unconsciously, carried her through the gamut of emotions; It would aid her in her power of expression. Also, she knew, that fulfillment alone would set the seal on her name In the world. So long as she knew that he loved no one. she could bear it; if he loved another — At the sound of his footsteps she turned and a deep color surged to her temples for very'fear that he had read the thoughts he interrupted. Wlthoiit preliminaries, Poppini took Muriel in his arms. “It has been thus from the beginning,” he said. “Did you not realize it?” Muriel looked up. She had never seen so great a light in the eyes of any man and all In that brief moment it came to her. " For her sake —for her art. her future—he had suppressed, his own love; he had kept from her the knowledge that be knew her secret. It was wonderful —the power this man bad to realize what a perishable quality Is ambition. Had be spoken of his love before, she would no longer have been bls pupil; she would no longer have held her art first It would have taken a secondary place In her life and this great moment might never have been here —this double triumph of love and achievement. -