Lewis Clark State College - Yearbook (Lewiston, ID)

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At last the set day for the little journey to Berlin arrived. Alircda was ready with her pretty but simple outfit- Her mother SlI0Od at the gate, waving good-bye, as big tears rolled down each cheek. Frau Schnellman felt as she did on. the day of her husband's leaving, which was now almost fifteen years ago. She remembered the day well, and the song' Alfreda had sung. Dont worry, mother dear, I will take care of you until father comes, she called, and then she was gone from sight. III. I ' it was all so strange-to be alone in Berlin without her mother, or even a friend-Alfreda had never been away from home before. The first week was a very long and lonely one for her, and she suffered much from homesickness, but she soon made many new fflU1ldS arnvong those who also were studying for the opera. Most of her time she spent energetically on her music at the conservatoire. She was de- termined to make a success. At her trial performance the ll1?1UZ1g'CI' was delighted with her voice and spoke very encouragingly. Although Alfreda was tired wlhen her dayls work was over, she did not forget her mother, and each night before retiring, she wrote a letter, telling of her work and friends, and there were always cheery passages to gladden the heart of the reader. A few days before Alfreda's first appearance at the Royal Opera, she was taken seriously illg too ill to go to her studio She was greatly alarmed for fear she would be unable to make her appearance, and so be discharged. Then what would she do! A caller to see you, Fraulein Schnellman, announced the land- lady. A tall, dark, well-groomed young man entered the rofom- Alfreda recognized her manager, Herr Carl VVeb.er, I-Ivow do you do, Fraulein Schnellman? Not very well- apparently, he said, as he advanced- toward her.', I am very sorry indeed to hear of your illness, but I have been afraid that you were bringing this upon yourself. You are too concerned about your work. You have been exerting yourself beyond the limitations of your strength. Oh, Herr Weber! I must make a success. My mother - There is no need of your being disturbed. You have a remarkable voice and one you need not fear to test. I should have told you before and saved you from this, he said frankly. Your recital has been postponed until you have regained your health. I hope you will soon recover, he said, picking up his hat and walking stick. Alfreda did soon recover and was at her work again with renewed vigor. I-Ierr Weber had given her a few orders. One was that she should not spend more than five hours a day at the conservatoire. Thursday had been the day set for Alfreda's recital. It came as all eventful days do- Alfreda was feeling confident. She was not tired or nervous as she feared she would be. It was all due to I-Ierr Weber'G kind interest in her. She had not been allowed to .confine herself at her work for long periods at a time, for he often came in to carry her awlay to observe inspiring plays such as the Don juan, or Fideles at the Theatre Platz. Several times they had been on long drives along the shady avenues, past dripping fountains, bridges which were works of art, flower plots, marble statuary and through the Branderburg

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II. Alfreda had long out-grown short frocks and all that went With them, and with mature attire, had donned the true qualities of woman- hoodg a maiden of personal charm and rare beauty. For years had Dr. Strauss continued to befriend Frau Schnellman but not altogether in regard to her health. One evening, after Alfreda had retired to her room, they sat talking by the fireside, Frau Schnellman, we have known each other for a long time. Your husband has been gone nearly fifteen years nowg you must know he is dead, or he would return to you. You need some one to care for you and Alfreda. Won't you marry me? I love vou and always have' We are both getting old and are aloneg together we could make each other happy. Won't you consider it P pleaded the earnest man. Dr. Straussftbegan Frau Schnellman, you have been so kind to Alfreda and me, I can never repay you: but I-I-can't marry you! I have waited all these many'years for my husband's return. I can't believe he lives, but yet-oh, if I only had the faith of my child ! Frau Schnellman, Alfreda is still but a child and knows not the ways of the world, he responded. Ah, good doctor, my little girl has suffered as I have, but she has been strong when I was weak, she has been my sole comfort, if it had not been for her and for-you-I should have given up long ago. People have been exceedingly kind to us. It is because they love Alfreda so and her singing. Ylou have been exceptionally blessed, Frau Schnellman, in having such a 'Singvogel' in your home. Dr, Strauss, I wish you would advise me. Alfreda has been offered a splendid position with an Opera company in Berlin, and she wants very much to go. Of course we would be separated from each other, but it seems to be the best we can do now,', finished Frau Schnellman. Frau Schnellman, why-why must, why must you do anything? Why must you be parted? Docs Alfreda have to support herself? Have you not -P No, interrupted Frau Schnellman, our little fortune my husband left me is gone. I have forseen for some time that we would soon be without means, but I have tried to keep it from Alfreda- I sold our home on Alte-jungfernsteig quay and took this modest little place in Othmarschen. I have spent much of my time in writing for the periodicals, but my articles were not all accepted and the returns were small. A month ago, I was disciourafed-my last hard efforts had been refused, I was weeping when Alfreda came in. In my grief, I told her the truth. Since that day she has tried everywhere' for employment of every kind, but all in vain, until yesterday gi letter came as a God-send, offering her this brilliant opportunity. I know she can do it, but shall I give my child to the public P ' UNO! No! Wed me and eliminate the necessity of giving up your child. I will give you both a good home and all you desire. I feel that you are tempting me. Come, let's not talk of it more. I should not have told you. Alfreda spent a very joyous week preparing for her departure. Frau Schnellman felt very doleful,'but she tried hard to be blithe and happy in her daughter's presence and to hasten and assist with the tasks to be accomplished.

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gate, which gives entrance to thc park called Thiergarten. Here the tall memorial of warfare, the victory monument could be SCCII. This park was one of Alfreda's favorites. Nowhere did the nightingales sing sweeter. The debut of Fraulein Alfreda Amonda Schnellman in operatic repertoire had been the absorbing topic of all the newspapers for the past week. Her portrait had occupied the front page of the musical section. Six-thirty! A vast, restless, critical audience waited impiltielllly fOr the curtain to rise. A few moments mo re and the soft low notes were heard from the pianog as the curtain arose, a graceful figure in pure white glided to the center of the stage. Alfreda was welcomed with a riot of enthusiasm. She stood a moment and faced her first audience with a smile, as if she were saying, I am going to please you. Then she began to sing superbly. Such singing, such music, never was heard in the Royal theatre before. The people sat erect with their nerves tense to catch every note that fell from her lips. lfVhen she had finished, there was a stillness like death, there was nor a sound from the stupefied audience. Then the enthusiasm with whkh the audience was swayed in paying tributes of admiration and congrat- ulations Berlin had never seen before. She did not wait for them to finish their loud applause, but iitigilll again with Sei still, eine Stimme aus der Ferne, and all was instantly quiet again. After her first numbers, Alfreda had established her self-assurance and had forgotten there were hundreds and hundreds of people before her. She was thinking of the song she was singing and the song only. You sang ma1'velously, Fraulein Schnellman, as I knew you would, said Herr Weber after the program. You have made a great name, for yourself. Thank you, Alfreda said, for lack of something better l-Ierr NYeber had spoken truly. The next morning's, papers veritied his statement with kindly comment on Fraulein Schnellman and her unusual soyrano voice, a voice whose full resonance charlried the ear as few mites can, and whose Winsome charm and beautv nade her :l rare genius. i l.-'rau Sclmellman was much elated to hear of her daughterig triumph. She iirsi-eil Alfreda more than anyone knew. though Dr Strauss did his utmost to keep her contented and happy. The day of Alfred's next recital, bnought her a :Long epistle from her liulr mother, wishing her much success on 'lm evening, mm also annrftuncing' news that made her heart ache. Her mother said that she and Dr. Strauss were going to be quietly married when Alfreda came home for her vacation. Her mother going to be married! Long the lonely heafpsick girl sat deep in thought. Well, perhaps her mother was doing right. Perhaps her father would not return as he had promised. She buried her pink-flushed face among the pillows and wept bitterly. A note for you, Fraulein Schnelhnan, Herr Weber is down Stairs waiting. t Alfreda took the note from Frau Carson and read it, then sat down and wrote: l Please, Herr Weber, I would rather not go this afternoon, Give him this, Frau Carson. '