The professor came from behind the screen, and, addressing the audience, said: “Ladies and gentlemen, lest you should find the necessary intermission tedious, I am happy to announce to you that the young vocalist, Master Harry Vane, has kindly consented to favor you with one of his popular melodies. He has selected by request, ‘The Last Rose of Summer.’” Harry could hardly refrain from laughing when he heard this introduction. “One would think I was a well-known singer,” he said to himself. He came forward, and, standing before the audience, with his face a little flushed, made a graceful bow. Then, pausing an instant, he commenced the song announced. He had not sung two lines before the professor, who waited the result with some curiosity and some anxiety, found that he could sing. His voice was high, clear, and musical, and his rendition was absolutely correct. The fact was, Harry had taken lessons in a singing school at home, and had practiced privately also, so that he had reason to feel confidence in himself. The song was listened to with earnest attention and evident enjoyment by all. When the last strain died away, and Harry made his farewell bow, there was an enthusiastic burst of applause, emphasized by the clapping of hands and the stamping of feet. “You did yourself proud, my boy!” said the gratified Professor. “They want you on again.” This seemed evident from the noise. “Can’t you sing something else?” “Very well, sir.” Harry was certainly pleased with this evidence of popular favor. He had never before sung a solo before an audience, and, although he had felt that he could, he was glad to find that he had not overestimated his powers. Once more he stood before the audience. “I thank you for your kindness,” he said. “I will now sing you a comic song.” He sang a song very popular at that time, the words and air of which were familiar to all. While it did not afford him so good a chance to show his musical capacity, it was received with much greater favor than the first song. There was a perfect whirlwind of applause, and a third song was called for. “I would rather not sing again, professor,” said Harry. “You needn’t. They would keep you singing all the evening if you would allow it. Better leave off when they are unsatisfied.” “Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, “Master Vane thanks you for your kind applause, but he makes it an unvarying rule never to sing but two songs in an evening. He never broke that rule but once, and that was at the special request of the governor-general of Canada. I shall now have the pleasure of performing for your amusement, one of my most popular experiments.” “Well, you have pleased the people, and that is the main point. By Jove! my boy, you’ve got a lovely voice.” “I am glad you think so, sir.” “You will prove a very valuable addition to my entertainments. I mean to show my appreciation, too. How much did I agree to give you?” “Five dollars a week if business was good.”