That evening, just before Miss Gladys Bewlay's first song, a visiting card was handed to one of her brothers, with the statement that a gentleman desired the pleasure of a moment's interview on a matter of great importance. "See here," said the gentleman, and it was none other than the susceptible American, "I'm just crazy about Miss Bewlay's singing. They tell me she's here to-night. Now I know it's a strange thing to ask, but I want to know if you can't just let me lean against a pillar somewhere at the back while she's singing, and then I'll go right away. It's my last chance for some time, you see. I go back to America to-morrow." The brother, not a little impressed by his sister's magnetism, all unsuspected in a _debutante_, and imagining the American to have heard her at a lesson, said he saw no reason why this little scheme should not be carried out; and so the American entered and took up an obscure position; and in a short while Miss Bewlay ascended the platform and began to sing. When she had finished the American approached one of the guests and begged to be told the name of the singer. "Miss Bewlay," said the guest. "It's her first appearance to-night." "Miss Bewlay," gasped the American. "Then there are two of them. You say this is her first appearance?" "Yes." "Then she's very young?" "Only about twenty." The American returned to his corner, and the second song began. Whatever disappointment his ears may have suffered it would have been obvious to close observers that his eyes were contented enough. They rested on the fair young singer with delight and admiration, and when she had finished there was no applause like the susceptible American's. When Miss Bewlay's brother had gradually worked his way to the back of the room, he found the American in an ecstasy. "She's great," he said. "Say, would it be too much to ask you to introduce me?" "Not at all," said the brother, who was as pleased at his sister's success as though it were his own. The American did not return to his own country the next day, nor for many days after; and when he did he was engaged to Miss Gladys Bewlay. Isn't that a pretty fairy story? and almost every word of it is true. * * * * * Illustration: "MY DEAR OLD FELLOW! WHAT'S THE MATTER? THE SEA'S LIKE A DUCK-POND!" "I KNOW, OLD BOY--BUT I'VE TAKEN SIX--DIFFERENT--REMEDIES." * * * * * A SEASIDE "SONG SCENA." Yesterday I celebrated the beginning of my holidays by patronising _The Melodities_ on the beach. _The Melodities_ are a band of entertainers who draw enormous salaries for giving a couple of performances daily in a kind of luxurious open-air theatre. "Ladies and Gentlemen," announced the Manager soon after I had taken my seat, "our first item will be a Song Scena entitled _The Moon_, by Bertie Weston, assisted by six members of the company." A quiver of expectation ran through the crowded audience.