_To William Murray, Esq._
_August 1._
DEAR WILLIAM,--I've found her--my heart bleeds when I think of
her face, poor child--miles from Balak. Of course she followed the
regiment when the wretch left, and of course he is a married man. Oh!
William, the disgrace, and all for some miserable music lessons. Send
the draft to Balak--to the Oriental Bank. I went as far as Belgrade.
Poor, tired, daring Irene, how she cried for Chicago and for her papa!
Yes, it will be all right. The girls in that old mummy's class gossiped
a little, but I fixed up a story about going to Berlin and lessons
there. Only the hateful Ransoms smile, and ask every day particularly
for Irene. I'd like to strangle them. Have patience, William; will be
back in the spring--early in the spring. My sweet, deceived child, our
child William! Oh, I would kill that Fizz-sticks, or whatever his name
is. His regiment is off in the mountains somewhere, and I'm afraid of
the publicity or I'd get our consul to introduce me to the Queen. She is
a lady, and would listen to my complaint. But Irene begs me with
frightened eyes not to say a word to any one. So I'll go on to Vienna
and thence to Paris. For gracious sake, tell that Seymour girl--Bella
Seymour--not to bother you about Irene; tell her anything you please.
Tell her Irene is too busy practising to answer her silly letters. And
William, not a word to Grandpa Murray--not a word, William!
Your loving wife,
MARTHA KILBY MURRAY.
P. S.--I don't know, William.
* * * * *
_Extract from the Daily Eagle, November 5, 1903_
The most interesting feature of the concert was the début as a pianist
of Miss Irene Murray, the daughter of William Murray, Esq., of the
Drovers' National Bank. Miss Murray, who was a slip of a girl before
she went abroad two years ago to study with the celebrated Herr Armin
Klug, of Balak, returns a superb, self-possessed young woman of regal
appearance and queenly manners. She played a sweet bit, a fantasia by
her teacher, Herr Klug, entitled "The Five Blackbirds," and displayed a
wonderful command of the resources of the keyboard. For encore she
dashed off a brilliant morceau by Herr Klug, entitled "Echoes de
Seraglio." This was very difficult, but for the fair débutante it was
child's play. She got five recalls, and after the concert held an
impromptu reception in her dressing-room, her happy parents being warmly
congratulated by their fellow townsmen. We predict a great career for
Irene Murray. Among those present we noticed, etc., etc....