The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-09-11
THE BEAUTY'S CHOICE.


name, and she had romantic
history. He parents were dead, she
vas the beiress of their property, and
bad a guardian. He had been il
love With her mother, and was very
Jealous of the daugh er's guardian
ship, treating her with arbitrary
power, and tearing her quite as
much as pleasing her with bis Afec
ton.
Yet it was quite exasperating to
the young men to see her hanging on
his arm, and be handsome bsche
lor of only for'y. He boarded at a
hotel; she had Mrs. HaWiey's pref
test set of rooms. They were fur
nlshed By herself. and most char
mingIy, in rosewood and blue dsmask.
She had cspHries, and r paroquet,
and a King Charles spaniel, and a
maid under her authority, and it was
but 8 short time after her arrival
before every young man in the
house was markedly subserVient to
her.
There were four young men in the
house-Chsrley Childs, Fred Grove,
Leonard Martin and Dick MaDches-
ter-All bright, agreeable. marriage
able young men, and all admirers OF
FloreoCs Castleton. Finally. there
was another, but be was too plain and
bsHhtul to be- admitted TO the elegant
ranks OF Miss Csstleton's galaxy of
beaux, and no one thought Of his
being auyone's lover.
His name was David Atwood. he
was book-keeper, Was plain in drsss,
and evidently straitened in means.
He had one of the smallest Of Mrs.
HaWIey's side rooms, spent all OF bis
days and most of bis evenings in the
Office where be was employed. never
went to theatres or the opera, and
possessed lot the slightest style Of
manner.
The others laughed at him-he
WAS 90 shy, and akwsrd, and bsshful.
And Florence CAstleson oitenI joined
in the laugh, silverly; yet no one
offered him any dIsrespect. Indeed,
they all acknowledged him to be "a
good yeung, man but 20 homely ard
awk Wardl"
Florence Castleton had q pretty
voice for singing, and used to play up
on guitar, . beautiful one, inIsid
with pearl, which her guardian had
given her.
One evening. after David Atwood
had resided in the house about ak
weeks, che brought it down into the
parlor and sat down to play.
The young men gathered around
70 sing with her. Young Martio
sang very well, and Charley Childs
saRR better. While they were sing
ing, David Atwood came in.
he slipped into . corner and sat
down in his shy way, and was un-
noticed until Dick Manchester, who
was restless for mischief. called out;
"Mr. Atwood, won't you come and
sing with usf"
II do not sing" he said quietly.
"Nor plsy?" asked Dick.
Only upon the VIOLIN" he an
,wered.
Florence was drumming her guitar
Went Mr.. Atwood let US hear
,in play upon the violinF' asked
Dick. Rlsnsing slyly ct Martin ss il
ne was starting game. All waited
snswer with certain de-
yree Of interest.
II have not used my violin since
zane here. I Will unpack it, and if
none of the strings are broken will
play" said Atwood, and be rose and
eit the room.
"Hsv could you say that, Dick?
He probably, plays execrably,"
laid Miss Jeanette Manchester Dicks
sister
Il never knew country pumpkin
who hadn't a fantasy for a fiddle"
said Martin. ''There he's coming
backl Now, if anyone has tsstid.
loas mnsicaI sensibilities I'd advise
him TO decsmp."
"I'll stay" answered Dick.
"We'l all stay and see the fun"
said Grove, sitting down by Miss
David came in. / began to under
stand what was coming az be bent
his head over the violin and drew the
bow lightly across the strings. In a
moment be glided into an air of
Verdi's go light and graceful that it
was like the fall OF sea spray. Every
ear and eye vas given in rapt atten-
ten; some in delight, some in
troubled doubt, az if they could not
believe their own sense; some in spleen
and envy, and all in amszement.
Advertisement Was the prevailing
emotion.
When be had finished the opera
air. he asked: els there any tune
you would particularly like?" And
be glanced towards the side of the
room where Florence Castleton sat,
rather than at Dick and Martin.
"Will you play the Phantom
Chorus from Fausli" asked Florence.
Aud the mild sweet tones came forth
obsdiently, in beautiful perfection.
Air followed air. The company sat
spell bound until the suddenly re-
vealed musician laid down his bow.