Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1882-11-20


ton turned naturally to music.
Bertha was too straightforward and
honest to be in the least adroit, but
she did use all the tact she possessed
to turn the tide of talk into a more
agreeable channel. No use. It lin
gered awhile, and swayed irresolute-
ly hither and thither, but to return
with redoubled force to the old
place.
81 felt SO happy, my dear, 1.-THE
old lady at last found chance to re-
mark, "when I heard that my boy
Richard had married a musician. I
can remember when he used to sit in
my parlor, and sit and sit, listening
to my playing, till / was often oblig-
ed to send him home. / used to tell
HIM that he would fatigue a musical
giant. 1t was always, more, please,
more, more Is he still as hungry
for music as in those days?"
81 haven't kept my music up"
replied Mrs. Montgomery, with burn
ing cheeks, "though 1 have reason
to believe that Dick is just as fond
of it as he used to be-"
81 think / have heard that you
have played in public" Mrs. La
Force inquired, slight wonderment
apparent only in her fine old eyes.
eyes, little
"Did you enjoy it?"
Bertha's eyes kindled with real
pleasure.
sit was the keenest enjoyment [
had ever had" she answered. II ex-
pected to be entirely overcome with
fright, but / never felt more at home
in my life"
Eyes, Bertha played without notes
and with an orchestra" Mr.. Mont
gomery remarked with considerable
pride.
"Well, that was something to at
tain to- said Mrs. La Force.
After dinner Mr.. Montgomery had
an hour or two's business to attend
to, and the ladies were left alone.
Mrs. La Force examined the num-
berless pretty things in Mrs. Mont
gomery's drawing-room, spoke of the
pictures with critical appreciation,
and at last halted at the music rack.
81 see you have all my pets" she
remarked at last.
Mrs. Montgomery was somewhat
astonished. She made point OF
purchasing all the new music by the
best authors, and one of Mrs. La
FORCES especial admirations was 6
difficult and wonderfully weird Sc
lection from Lohegrin.
'And has the music of the future
found admirers in Colorado?" the
hostess inquired.
"Colorado has kept pace with The
times in music as in everything else,
the old lady replied, putting on he
spectacles as she spoke, sand al
good music is necessarily the musi,
of the future.
With this she seated herself at tn
piano.
II have enjoyed this selection
more than 1 can tell you," and nov
the wrinkled old hands came dow
on the keys with power which mad
her thrill with astonishment. o.
went the performer with clearnes
of touch, depth of expression, an
a facility of execution whic
would shame many professional
until Bertha, trembling in ever
nerve, drew near, to see as well a
hear.
ssOh, dear!" she exclaimed, as th
old lady struck the last chord of th
bewildering .fnis. ''Oh, dear me
how beautiful !" and then the usual
seIf-possessed and dignifed Berth
Montgomery buried her face in he
hands and wept bitterly.
"Why! why!" said the old lad.
''what is the matter?"
"Oh! nothing-I don't know
was the incoherent answer. ''Don
mind me. Go on playing, please. !"
81 think we had better talk
, while,' said>Mrs. La Force, taking
: seat by her companion. ''If I we
, nearer your age it might, perhaps, |
) safer for our continued friendship
| / ignored the real cause of yol
breakdown. 1t wasn't Lohegrin, n
dear; neither was it my interpret
ton of the selection. 1t was heal
wall over the grave of your lost ts
/ ent. I feel as if I could weep wi
a you, for to me such q grave is Il
: saddest of all graves"
d sBut, Mrs. La Force, you mu
S know something of my duties, n
e responsibilities, as wife and mothe
and housekeeper, and all the rest
a it, Mrs. Montgomery sobbed.
u thought was doing my best
n emusic was my one TALENT" MI
it La Force resumed, "and to that
). have clung with all the energy 1 pc
i sessed. Perhaps some of my ide
in this connection may seem stran
t. to you; but, my child, great sha
e of my work has been done with ref'
d ence to another state of existenl
If / don't know that / can give you a
9, reason for this feeling except t
Is faith that is in me; but it is Gle
a. to mo fbaf fho couo 1ulac of harmO