Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-09-09

dence no man had ever heard before.
1t seemed TO tell an unknown story, if
but one could have interpreted it. 1t
began in storm of grief, of passion
and despair, unreasoning, hopeless;
then followed lull, rift in the clouds,
a sudden gleam of sunshine, then a
heavy toiling of weary feet, often torn
and bleeding, but with that rift of sun
shine never quite hidden by the clouds
overhead, no matter how dark or how
dense they gathered; then came
burst of triumph, song Of victory,
transport of passion, and then peace.
The last note seemed to have no end
ing. Its echoes fingered in melodious
hush, and rang in the peans of APP
plause.
The girl in the box tore the violets
from her breast, and threw them at
Herr Seiberg's feet. Flowers rained
everywhere. but these only he stopped
to gather. These he held SO tightly
that their crushed fragrance was waited
to his senses as he bowed his adieux.
The young musician was the lion of
the hour. Fashionable ladies sought
him out. Invitations TO fetes, and re-
ceptions, and dinners, rqined upon him.
1t was at one of these latter that ne
and Miss Laurence met.
az have pressed your flowers" he
sand to her, in low voice.
"My fowers?" she answered, with
blush.
Then she remembered the violets
she had SO impulsively thrown him.
II had almost forgotten" she added.
''What was it, Herr Seiberg, that you
PLAYED? It has haunted me ever since"
esome day" ne replied, Il will tell
you Now you shall know only that
you were its inspiration"
Were his words presumption? She
could not answer; neither could she
know the strange power which ever
swayed her in this mans presencs.
"You do not teach p she said to him,
one day
aNo," he answered. "But if you will
be my pupil, it would be indeed pleas
ure.
"And your terms?"
His face flushed.
Il need no gold," he responded. at
il only that some day you should hear
my story"
II see nothing Of you, Selma" said
Fairfax Farley, during this time. "Do
you forget that have some claims?
"No, ] forget nothing" She said.
But there was sadness rather than
happiness in her tone.
Are you not ready to give me your
answer, dear?" the man continued.
"Why do You hold me in suspense?
Why, darling, may not have the sweet
promise that crave ?"
Did she shudder2 If SO, it was but
momcntary, rs the sweet young voice
made answer.
True" it said, you have been very
patient; but be SO yet n little longer.
Let me but be sure Of myself, 1t is
only for this assurance, Fairfax, that
wait
But underneath Fairfax Earle "
courteous claim was u seeth
storm, il burning jealousy.
Two weeks later, he waited outside
Miss Laurcnces home until Herr Sci
berg stood on the steps, i'll the moon
light RE had been passing the eve
ning with her. The two had dined ut
her table. An hour before Mr. Farley
had made his adieux.
"Herr Scibcrg p
twas her voice, addressing the young
musician.
YES lie responded, Ills surprise
showing his tone.
Il have waited for you" continued
Mr., Farley, ''in order Is ask Of You n
favor. 1t is u great favor, but money
need bc no object between us. am
willing Ia pay you any price, however
fabulous; and although ! know i is
quite out Of your line, ! want very
much that you should play one solo ut
my wedding.
In the moonlight Herr Scibcrg's face
showed strange pallor.
AT your wedding! You are 20 he
married. May enquire "a whom?'
Miss Laurence IS my hetrothCd.
Had you not heard
Both III question and answer rang il
strained intensity; hut the silence that
followed had IN lis dumbness more
force than either Then Herr Seiberg
spoke
'To-morrow night, At this hour; you
shall have my decision" he said and
rapidly strobe away.
Before noon, the day following, Miss
Laurence received Herr Sciberg's card
Pencilcd on it were these words:
Pardon my intrusion, and grant me
j halfhour's interview III which To- Ind
Won farewell.
Farewell? There was certain spas
modic iluttering of her heart rs she
dimly realized its purpsrt.
What did this sudden departure por-
tend2 and why why did it cause this
faint sickness, which stole through her
every pulse and fiber Of her heart2
SHOW Herr Seiberg up she said TO
the servant: then, schooling herself To
be calm, sat awaiting him.
On the threshold Of the room ne
paused.
You asked me once, Miss Lau-
renee he began, 'the story my violin
told on the night we met. | answered
YOU that sometime you should know.
Would il weary you 70 hear it now
She shook her head. and motioned 70
Il chair, but he still stood.
n must 90 back many years, he said,
"to the time when | was little lad,
footsore and friendless. Nay, not
friendless, | had one friend-a poor
little piece of wood, with strings across
Il: but | forgot that it was wood. In
my hours of loneliness, and grief. and
sadness, | would talk To il, and then,
bv idly drawing my bow across the
strings, it would answer me. All, no
one would have believed it but myself,
hut il painted to me the future-it told
me all that might he. Il whispered
courage il hreathed hope. Well, one
day, strolling through the streets,
touching IFS chords, asking no alms-l
never begged boy older than i,
taller. stronger, a hoy richly dressed,
and with gold chain hanging 1T his
vest. stopped and Knocked me.
walked ON silently He followed me,
and. III M unprcpared moment, snatch
ed my violin, and, swapping il across
his knee, threw il i'll the filth and mud
\ of the street
Il was stunned. The magnitude Of
my loss overwhelmed me- The surg
/ ing tide of my despair closed in about
/ my SoiIl | saw neither earth nor sky