The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1877-12-05


"Do you doubt my ability ?" she said,
with touch of pride.
She did not give me time to reply, but
running her fingers over the keys for
moment, awoke them into life, making
the air vibrate with a volume OF music
like something of Bach's, almost start
ling one to hear the crash and rumble
like an Alpine storm-a very avalanche
of tempestuous harmony. -.N
After the duh gloom that pervaded
the room but a moment before, one
could easily imagine it to be an impas-
stoned account of the creation. and that
the quivering chords beneath the touch
of those delicate fingers gave forth the
music of the spheres and the rush of the
waters as they surged over the shoreless
world.
Then came a grand triumphant hymn,
a rapturous song Of praise that might
have swelled from the throats of the
angels proclaiming the approval of the
Holy Spirit that it was good.
Then a dreamy, moonlight sort of
song without words, typical Of Nature
asleep and the solitude of the vast con-
tinents; and last, the daintiest, airiest,
most spiteIike aiR-dainty, airy and
sprite-like as anything Chopin ever
wrote, almost too ethereal to be human,
like the first glad pulsations of the won
derful mystery of life.
Beautiful p was all I csuld say as
she rose, her lovely face aglow with the
delicious pride which springs from the
consciousness of power.
"Miss Bailendrant," I said, earnestly,
after pause, 81 never for an instant
doubted your ability to instruct me, but
had done SO your performance would
convince the most sceptical." "
This was our introduction to each
other. What her feelings may have
been l cannot tell; neither can analyze
my own-charmed, bewildered, with all
the romance of my nature awakened,
and my curiosity aroused as to the source
Of that unearthlY cry.
The next day at the appointed time I
was there, and for a week l went regu-
larly, until came to regard it as the
only period of real pleasure in the
day.
My beautiful inshuctress aud had
become exaellent friends, and liked to
tell myself that when / was with her
that anxious look became less marked
and her whole being frightened mp.
Her father ever sat in the rocking chair
during the lessons, but seldom speaking,
except to his daughter, whom he usually
called " his little girl" but sometimes
Camille.
One day I saw he was annoyed at
something, and Camillo's face did not
brighten up as was its wont.
We went through our lesson mechani-
cally she was evidently troubled about
something, and I felt conscious was in-
truding upon some household distress
When the lesson was over, and rose
to take my leave, the old man addressed
me.
"Miss Ballendrant," he said-it was
the first time I had ever heard him
either address or speak so to her" has
been trying to persuade me that l am
growing childish, and that my hand has
forgotten the instrument 1 have played
since my childhood. I shall leave it to
you whether she speaks the truth or
not"
As he spoke he took a violin from
case beside him, aud, arranging the
strings, glanced triumphantly towards
his daughter, but she had buried her
face in her hands, and was ssbbing
silently. .....
The moment he drew the bow across
the strings I thought there was some
thing aniss, and then, oh, powers of
discord, the noise I had heard when |
first stood upon the step-such hideous
wailings and shrieks as filed the room.
No one with the veriest knowledge OF
music could have touched those strings.
Had al infant the necessary strength of
arm and wrist he would have produced as
much harmony.
Surprised and bewildered, I knew not
how to act.
Unwilling for Camille's sake to sit
and hear, and not wishing for the same
reason to offend the old man by taking
my leave. I knew not how to act.
Suddenly Camille started to her feet,
her face flushed crimson and her eyes
swollen with tears.
"Are You gentleman ?" she cried,
hysterically, "to sit there and see an
old, childish man make fool of him.
self Perhaps, though, it amuses You.
Ii so, pray enjoy it r.
Camille" I pleaded, "you are un-
just" -1V1E
"Goi" she shrieked, wildly, and
pointing to the door. "Go |"
"You are unjust" L said again; " but
believe me, I pity you from the bottom
of my heart. BY and by, when you can
think, remember am your friend till
death.
[ walked miles that afternoon, but the
house had fascination for me, and
almost unconsciously I retraced my steps.
AS ! drew near l saw crowd gathered
around the door, and, hurrying on, l
asked one of the bystanders what was
the matter.
"Matter enough. The old feller's
dead and the Rirl's half crazy, and