The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-05-14

THE BEAUTY'S CHOICE.

the bit OF blonde girl named Florence
Castleton. 1t was romantic name and
she had romantic history. Her parents
we're dead, she was the heiress of theil
property. and had guardian, He had
been in love with her mother, and was
very jealous of the daughters guardian
ship, treating her with arbitrary power,
and teasing her quite as much rs pleas
ing her with his affection.
Yet it was quite exasperating to the
young men to see her hanging on his
arm, and he handsome bachelor of only
40. He boarded at hotel; she had Mrs.
Hawley's prettiest set of rooms. They
were furnished by herself, and most
chsrninglv, in rosewood, and blue dam
ask. She had eanarles, and n paroquet,
and King Charles spaniel, and maid
under her authority, and it was but a
short time after her arrival that every
young man in the house was markedly
suhservient to her.
There were four young men in the
house-Charley Childs, Fred Grove,
Leonard Martin, and Dick Manchester
all bright, agreeable, marrihgeable young
men, and all admirers of Florence Gas.
tieton. Finally there was another; but
he was too plain and bashful to be adj
mitted to the elegant ranks of Miss Cas-
tleton's galaxy of beaux, and no one
thought Of his being any ones lover.
His name was David Atwood. He was
q bookkeeper, was plain in dress, and ev-
id-ntly straitened in means. He had one
of the smallest of Mrs. Hawley's side
rooms, spent all of his days and most Of
lis evenings in the Office where he was
employed never went to theaters, or the
opera, and possessed not the slightest
style of manner.
The Others laughed at him-he was so
shy aud awkward and bashful. And
Florence Castleton often joined the
laugh, silverlv; yet no one offered him
any disrespeet. Indeed, they all acknow-
ledged him to be ga good young man,
but so homely and awkwardP
Florence Castleton had pretty voice
for singing, and used to play upon a
guitar. Il beautiful one, inlaid with pearl,
which her guardian had given her.
One evening after David Atwood had
resided in the house about six weeks, she
brought it down to the parlor and sat
down to play.
The young men gathered around to
sing with her. Young Martin sang very
well, and Charley Childs sang better
While they were singing, David Atwood
came in. ..t
He slipped into a corner, and sat
down in his shy way, and WIS unno,iced
until Dick Manchester, who was restless
for mischief, called out: "Mr. Atwood,
won't you come and sing with us%'
II do not sing" he said quietly.
"Ncr play% asked Dick.
"Only upon the violin," he answered.
Florence was strumming her guitar
carelessly.
"Won't Mr.. Atwood let us hear him
play on che violin" asked Dick, glanc-
ing slyly at Martin, as if he was starting
game All awaited Atwood's answer
with certain degree of interest.
"I have not used my violin since l
came here I will unpack it, and if none
Of the strings are broken l will play"
said Atwood, and he rose quietly and
left the room.
"How could you say that, Dick? He
probably plays execrably," said Miss
jeanette Manchester Dicks sister.
II never knew country pumpkin who
hadn't fantasy for fiddle" said Mar
tin. There he's coming back Now, If
any one has fastidious musical sensibili-
ties I'd advise him to decamp."
"Pll stay" answered Dick.
"We'll all stay and see the fun" said
Grove, sitting down by Miss Castleton.
David came in. l began to understand
what was coming as he bent his head
over the violin and drew the bow lightly
across the strings. In moment he
glided into an air of Verdi's, SO light
and graceful that 1t was like the fall OF a
sea spray. Every ear and eye was given
in rapt attention; some in delight, SONS
in troubled doubt, as If they could not
believe their own senses; some in spleen
and envy, and all in amazement. As
tonshed was the prevailing emotion.
w Hell Nc ldu hiioiltu tile opera, he
asked, els there any tune you would
particularly like~ And he glanced tow
ards the side of the room where Florence
Castleton sat, rather than at Dick and
Martin.
"Will you play the Phantom Chorus
from Faust?" asked Florence. And the
mild, sweet tones came forth obediently.
in beautiful perfections. Air followed
air. The company sat spell-bound until
the suddenly revealed musician laid
down his bow. A chorus of eulogistic
phrases and expressions Of gratitude fol-
lowed, but David Atwood smiled only
at Florence Castleton's simple remark:
1--WE thank you"
He left the room. A little while after
I went through the hall, and met him.
"You have surprised and delighted us
all with your performance, MI. At
wood" | said.
He smiled.
81 learned to play to please little
sick sister / had once," be answered.
Since she died | do not care to play
Al. r