Part 24 (1/2)

As the star singer of her cla.s.s, Constance Stevens' name was often brought up for discussion among her cla.s.smates as the possibly successful contestant in the try-out. Besides, was it not Lawrence Armitage's opera? It was generally known that the dark-haired, dreamy-eyed lad had a decided predeliction for Constance's society.

Rumor, therefore, decreed that if Laurie Armitage had the say, Constance would have no trouble in carrying off the leading role.

But the most determined aspirant for fame was none other than Mignon La Salle. With her usual slyness, she kept her own counsel. Nevertheless, she believed she stood a fair chance of winning the prize of which she dreamed. For Mignon could sing. From childhood her father had spared no expense in the matter of her musical education. An ardent lover of music he had decreed that Mignon should be initiated into the mysteries of the piano when a tiny girl, and, although Mr. La Salle had allowed her undisputed liberty to grow up as she pleased, on one point he was firm. Mignon must not merely study music; she must each day practice the required number of hours. In the beginning she had rebelled, but finding her too indulgent parent adamant in this one particular, she had been forced to bow her obstinate head to his decree. In consequence she profited by the enforced practice hours to the extent of becoming a really creditable performer on the piano for a girl of her years. At fourteen she had begun vocal training. Possessed of a strong, clear, soprano voice, three years under the direction of competent instructors had done much for her, and, although she was far too selfish to use her fine voice merely to give pleasure to others, she never allowed an opportunity to pa.s.s wherein she might win public approval by her singing.

The mere fact that ”The Rebellious Princess” was Lawrence Armitage's own composition served to spur her on to conquest. Given the leading role, she believed that she might awaken in the young man a distinct appreciation of herself which hitherto he had never demonstrated toward her. Once she had brought him to a tardy realization of her superiority over Constance Stevens, by outsinging the latter, along with all the other contestants, she was certain that admiration for herself as a singer would blot out any unpleasant impression he might earlier have conceived of her. She had heard that ”the Stevens girl” could sing. It was to be doubted, however, if her voice amounted to much. Another point in her favor lay in the fact that Professor Harmon was a close friend of her father. He would surely give her the preference.

But while she dreamed of triumphantly holding the center of the stage before a spellbound audience, her rival to be, Constance Stevens, was seriously debating within herself regarding the wisdom of even entering the contest. Of a distinctly retiring nature, Constance was not eager to enter the lists. On the Friday afternoon before the try-out she was still undecided, and when the afternoon session of school was over, and she and the five girls with whom she spent most of her leisure hours were walking down the street, headed for Sargent's and its never-failing supply of sweets, she was curiously silent amid the gay chatter of her friends.

”I suppose you girls know that our dear Mignon has designs on the Princess,” announced Jerry Macy, with the elaborate carelessness of one who gives forth important news as the commonest every-day matter.

”Mignon!” exclaimed Marjorie Dean in amazement. ”I never even knew she could sing.”

”She thinks she can,” shrugged Muriel Harding. ”Goodness knows she ought to. She has studied for ages. I'm surprised to hear that she is going to enter the try-out, considering it's Laurie's operetta. You know just how much he likes her. She knows, too.”

”Who told you, Jerry?” quizzed Susan Atwell. ”The way you gather news is positively marvelous. Was it big brother Hal?”

”No, he doesn't know it. If I told him, he'd tell Laurie and Laurie would promptly have a spasm. One of the girls in the senior cla.s.s mentioned it to me.”

”Mignon really sings well,” put in Irma. ”Don't you remember the time she sang at Muriel's party, two years ago? She has been studying ever since. She must have improved a good deal since then.”

”Oh, I've heard her sing more than once,” said Jerry Macy, ”but I don't like her voice. It's--well, it isn't sweet and sympathetic.”

”Neither is she,” put in Susan with her customary giggle.

”Wait until Connie sings at the try-out. Then someone can gently lead Mignon to a back seat,” predicted Jerry. ”It would give me a good deal of pleasure to be that 'someone.'”

”I don't think I shall enter the try-out,” remarked Constance, flus.h.i.+ng.

”Why not?” was the questioning chorus.

”Oh, I don't know, only I just don't care to. If I do, someone might say that I went into it because----” She hesitated, and the flush on her cheeks deepened.

”Because you expected Laurie to choose you, you mean,” finished Jerry.

”Yes; that is what I meant,” admitted Constance. ”Of course, I know there are other girls who are better singers than I, and that I couldn't possibly be chosen. Still, I'd rather not go into it at all, unless I could just be in the chorus.”

”You are a goose; a nice, dear goose, but a goose, just the same,” was Jerry's plain sentiment.

”Connie Stevens, if you don't try for that part, I'll never speak to you again,” threatened Muriel.

”I'll disown you,” added Susan in mock menace.

”Connie,” Marjorie's voice vibrated with sudden energy, ”I think you _ought_ to try for the Princess. I am almost sure no other girl in Sanford High can sing so beautifully. Then there is Laurie. He has always been nice to you. It would hurt his feelings dreadfully if you didn't try for a part in his operetta. Besides, I know it sounds hateful, but I can't help saying that I'd be glad to see you take the Princess away from Mignon. That is, if she really stands a good chance of winning it. I suppose that is what Miss Archer would call 'an ign.o.ble sentiment,' but I mean it, just the same.” Marjorie glanced half defiantly around the bright-eyed circle. They were now in Sargent's, seated about their favorite table.

”Hurrah for you, Marjorie!” cried Jerry, flouris.h.i.+ng her hand as though it were a pennant of triumph. ”That's what I say, too. You are really a human, everyday person, after all. I used to think you were almost too forgiving toward certain persons, but now I can see that you aren't such a model forgiver, after all.”

”That is rather a doubtful compliment, isn't it?” laughed Marjorie.

”Frankness is the soul of virtue,” jeered Muriel.

”Oh, now, you know what I mean,” protested Jerry, looking somewhat sheepish. ”You girls do like to tease me. All right, I'll do the forgiving act and order the refreshments. I'll pay for them, too. I've a whole dollar. I am supposed to buy some stationery with it, but I'll just let my correspondence languish and treat instead. Name your eat and you can have it. Fifteen cents apiece is your limit. I need the other ten to buy stamps.”