The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-09-24

ln I15i ehtlly within him. He
Y like Nina. to accept
pfQhered gift, but a man,
q scarce twenty years had pass
~ Eef his head and it CALLED him
" etYe favors where he could give
m return. But for Nina's
he had promised father to do
thing for Nina-he would not
Fett'sh what these strangers might
Pfie So when Mr.. Holbrook. in
|all lollsness, offered to place Nina
~ k Conserva tory at Milan, and to
psi ne The expez1ses. Of her. musical
mough for himself he proudly re-
fused all aid, nor could any entreat-
les altar his decision. But at last Mr..
Holbrook obtained for him a posi-
tion with an old violin-maker, whose
home was the resort of all musicians
of note, and where. if Paolo had
musical genius, a way would be-
opened for its development.
"Your prpteges are growing fa-
NOUS" said Mr.. Holbrook to Mabel,
one day, at break fast, in their hotel
at Milan, where they still fingered.
"Nina's voice is wonderful her macs
tro says: She is to sing for the
Duchess of Parma at her children's
carnival next week. A rare honor
for a child"
"And Paob 2" asked Ma bel, with
blush, tOr which she hated herself.
"And PaoIo ?" echoed her father.
"Why, Paolo is already a finished
yiolinist. 1t seems that his father
was something wonderful in that
way, devoted his life to training his
son, bequeathing him as a legacy his
violin, a real ,StrdoliUarious Paolo,
modest fellow, said nothing of this.
but went at once to Bartolini, the
greatest viOlinist in Milan, told. his
story, and after playing a bit, was
joyfully accepted as pupil. Since
then he has been studying night and
day, and tomorrow he is to play at
the grand concert instead of Barto-
lima, who is suddenly ill. But. all
unheralded as Paolo is, those who
gov I,fA fol fIa
by storm. only found this out by
chance. l suppose he was too shy to
tell of it himself.
"He might at least have told me-"
thought Mabel. For Paolo and she
met almost daily, and had grown to
be friends-dear friends. But-was
it friendship only, Mabel wondered
that made her heart beat SO fiercely
when he came into her presence t?
that made her long for his coming,
and grief when he went? Surely it
could not be loye. for loye was dead /;
killed by one mans base act. Could
love live again? And was it only
friendship that burned in Paole's
eyes? those haunting eyes, whose
glace she sometimes dared not meet /?
His lips had spoken no words of
love did his eyes tell the secret he
dared not speak? Well, she would
be cool and distant when he came
that day ; she would not speak of his
playing; would declare. perhaps,
that she did not intend to go to the
concert. Then, what would he say :?
But alas for her plans; the day
passed and PaolO came not. Nor did
he the next day and she dressed. for
the concert in eager, feverish haste,
fearful lest she might be late. and so
miss one moment of PaolO's pres
ence.
When he appeared, in faultless
evening costume, so young, so hand
some, so proudly serene, as if sure of
success, there was a faint whisper of
surprise through the house, which
died away as he began playing, with
so marvelously sweet and gentle
touch that the audience listened in
almost breathless silence, lest one
note should be lost. When the music
ceased for a moment no sound was
heard then wild, tumultuous burst
of applause followed. Paolo had in
deed won, not only the hearts of the
audience, but-in one giant stride
fame and fortune was sure to follow.
Again and again he was recalled, and
the whole evening was one unbrOken
success for the young viollnist. AL
most faint with excitement when at
last the concert was over, Mabel
begged her father to hasten home,
yet scarcely had she reached her par
lor when Paolo sought admittance.
II saw your face only !" he ex-
claimed, in impassioned tones. at
was my inspiration You smiled
and | was glad, and my heart spoke
to you in the music. Did you not
understand heIavad pO