The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-02-25
teeth, which clashed sort of accom-
paniment as the lady proceeded to give

| Ceeln, WHICH cldSlleu u sOlt VI dNColn
paniment as the lady proceeded to give
pool Ray piece of her mind.
"ls it that monsieur had not thu
money forthcoming? All, whist a world
where The rich ride over the poor, anC
grind their faces in the mud. MaiS, oui
I have had patience-oh, yes. the pa
tience of one of Gods angels-but the
end has arrived"
"But tomorrow" answered Ray, 81
assure you shall have something.
have a promise"
"Is it that I shall feed longer or
promises?" screamed Madame Charlton
with angry sparks in her black eyes
"a bns! with promises-they do moi
agree with me. l spit out your prom
ises, my fine lodger. and | rent your
room in two days, in one day, in ar
hour, if l have not the money. Co.
then"
And, much to Rays relief, she turned
on her heel in manly fashion and
strobe out of the room as unceremo.
niously as she had entered il.
A discord seemed to pervade the music
after that, and with a final crash, into
which be put all the perplexities and
cares that veXed him, the young man
at last shut the piano and went tc
bed.
The next morning, after breakfastine
for four sous at a cremerie, he strolled
into large piano store where he had
been promised a trifle for showing of
the instruments. Ray was not in a con
dition to despise any sort Of employ
ment, and so he was glad to answer
questions of all sorts, to rattle off bril-
liant waltzeS when party OF young
people entered, to execute solemn and
stately marches when their elders ap-
peared, and to treat himself with
delicious bits of Verdi now and then
alone.
Sometimes he improvised his own
dreams and tancies. From one OF these
he was reused by voice saying:
"Ah, monsieur, from what opera
then, my I take the liberty of asking?'
Turning, he started. and rose to his
! feet in surprise. He saw before him the
gentleman of distinguished appearance
who had driven the mysterious beauty
of the day before. Ray felt the color
rushing to his face, as if the speaker
could read all the foolish thoughts in
which he had indulged since.
"Mats, monsieur!" he said, with a
bow; THAT is from an unpublished
opera, and exists only in my BRAIN"
"Ah! does that brain contain much
of the same sort of furniture?" asked the
stranger, with benevolent smile. Il
ike it; am an enthusiast of music,
and I gather around me friends Of tie
same taste. If monsieur would conde-
sccnd to come and amusc US this even
ing will pay we'll for the favor"
Ray could scarcely believe his ears.
To be paid for a chance to find out all :.
it seemed too absurd. He accepted
eagerly, and the gentleman handed him
card with his address, which Ray saw
at glance was in an aristocratic quar-
ter OF the city. He could not work any
longer, this strange freak of fortune
was so bewildering. He roamed about
like IN uneasy spirit the whole day.
About ten O'clock in the evening he
presented himself at the door of a grand
mansion. which was opened bv 4 SER
want in rich livery. The host received
him at the door, and led him into an
immense saloon, lighted dimly with
three wax tapers only. A faint blaze
quivered on the hearth though the night
was chilly, but the furniture was rich
and elegant. Glowing rugs were placed
over the inlaid floors; buhl and ormolu
abounded; Japanese bronZes and ex-
quisite Sevres were scattered about; q
priceless service of 5atzulna stood on a
mosaic table near lady, who was lean
ing back negligently in an easy-chair.
She did not look up as the gentleman
led Ray forward and said. my wife. !"
SO she was indeed his wife!-Ray saw
again the exquisite face, with the fixed
and serious eyes, which seemed to look
through and through him to his very
soul. Strangely enough she made no
movement of the head at the introduce
ton, no smile curved the perfect lips,
no word came from them. Ray looked
around: there was young lady seated
at table near with a novel in her
hand. She was introduced as the hosts
sister, hut wcs more ungracious still,
for she did not condescend to raise her
eyes.
The mischiefr' muttered Ray to
himself, "my host must have quarreled
this evening with his sister as well as
his wife, or she has, perhaps, been op-
posed to the whole entertainment. ]
could not have imagined such a want Of
politeness in French party"
The hest muttered something about
his sisters studious habits that sounded
like an apology, and then led Ray to a
couple of military gentlemen who were
playing chess. Chess-players, in criti-
cal state of the game, may be excused
for not interrupting themselves; still,
our young friend telt exceedingly un-
comfortable 1T not receiving the least
nod from these absorbed gentlemen. He
begged his host not to trouble himself
with further introductions.
There was strange stiffness in the
room, which, together with the flicker
ing light and cool atmosphere, seemed
to curdle his blood. He fancied there
was q blush tinge to the slender spears
OF flame that came from each wax
candle.
He sat down and began to run his
hands over the piano. He had never
played to such a rapt audience before.
Whether it was Auber or Dohizetti, Mo-
zart or Verdi, there was not murmur
net a whisper-not ripple of COM
ment. Gave snd gay tell on their ears
alike.
The unearthly stiffness appalled, Linn.
He felt as if he had been transported into
a world of spirits, as if he breathed the
cold, damp air of a charnel vault. And
yet the beautiful woman, about whom
he had dreamed all day, seemed sub
stantial enough. Her perfect hand,
pink Lined like sea shell, dimpled like
child's, lay almost within his reach.
Would nothing rouse his frozen audi
ence? He ratified off gay waltz that
might have set Quakcrs dancing. but
there was nc sound. His hand shook in
turning leaf. He was really growing
alarmed at the unearthly stiffness. The
leaf flutterqd to the ground. In stoop-
ing to pickiit up his hand touched that
of his silent hostess.
Her hand was cold rs ice!
He started to his feet with a cry. No
one moved even then, but the host, who
hurried toward him.
"Do not be alarmed" he said; it is
nothing. should have explained be-
fore. But have lived with these dear
friends so long, I am apt forget that they
are-only wax. I have had them
modelled with exquisite care. My wife
here was passionately fond ofmusic and
driving. still indulge her, and make
her my companion-in wax. This is Il
most perfect likeness of the beloved one
who died ten years ago. My sister was
novel-reader. l still supply her with
the latest publications. Those gentle
men-dear friends-were noted chess
PLAYERS. So nave their iNlages in wax