The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1885-10-01

home for himself and his sister. He
had a small income of his own, and was
considered clever in his profession.
Congratulations began to pour in
thick and fast OH the pair when a
hundred thousand dollar house began
to rise at Cutters expence, to beready
for the young couple on their return
from their bridal trip. They were to
take in Clara Curtis commencement
as they Travelled and bring her home
with them.
Frank was agreahly surprised at his
sister's appearance when he and his
bride arrived at her school. Ina vague,
masculine way he felt that she and
Lizzie did not seem very congenial, but
be supposed that would wear off after
little.
"Of course you are coming tonight, -
said Clara. "It's our concert. Iplay,"
she continued, dimpling and blushing,
"a duet for violin and piano with Mr..
Heldmann."
Frank nodded. He was fond of mu-
sic, and, to sit through a whole even
ing of school girl playing and singing
vas a sacrifice on the altar of frater-
nal affection and the properties. AS
for Lizzie, she always frankly avowed
that good music sent her to sleep. But
she became suddenly attentive, and so
did Frank, when Clara appeared with
the violin and the professor took
the piano. Frank heard genius
in the moaning and wailing an-
der her hands of that most per-
ect instrument. If she had been
pretty before, she became trans
| figured now. He wondered how she
ielt, standing before all those people, OF
whom, perhaps, not one in ten under
stood what she was playing. But the
aovelty of the thing, the sweet face
pressed lovingly against the violin, the
delicate fingers dashing over the strings,
brought down the house. She was tie
success of the evening, and had her first
taste of that Intoxicating drink-the
applause of the multitude.
II congratulate you," said her
brother. ~ was proud of you to.
Qight."
"Clara, Professor Max wants us all
IN the music room," said one of her
companions, and Mr.. and Mrs. Curtis
were left alone, while Clara and her
fellow performers pursued their way to
the presence of the professor of music
and German, a fair-haired, powerfully
built man of one or two and thirty
years, known among his f1uttering
pupils as Professor Max, and address.
ed by them as Mr.. Heldmann. Hecon.
graduated them on their success, and
then dismissed all but Clara:
~ have told you many times now
already, Miss Curtis" he said. "You
have genius that you should cultivate
T advise you that you go Europe and
study"
:'Be a. professional player?' said
Clara, with wide eyes. "What would
my brother say?'
:Talk to him about it. He will
yield. Break from your friends, love
you were born to be great. Must you
smother such a talent? And for what!
The foolish men make love to you in 8
ball room, and you marry and die
like other women. What for q career
is that foryou? Iloveyou. tellyo
80, but you must not love me. / give
you to art. You must lonesome day
otherwise your playing will always
lack; then yoA will know what l have
done III leaving you free from my love
Tor ask nothing back. All that car
do to help you will l do. You must
call on me when you need me, and wher
you have the world at your feet after
your triumph, think once at home Of
the man who first set free the flutter
ing wings Of your gem us. Remember
what tell YOU"
Clara, bewildered and frightened
only saw the tears dim his bright blue
eyes, only felt tW9 bearded lips on hei
tbe memory of hsr first love affair
She went home with her broth ger and
his wife, was called upon, went to balls
entered upon q round Of gayeties ap
Font Under the chaptronase of a sis
ter-in-law, whose prestige Of wealth
! rast q glamour over her: But she was
not altogether q SUCCESS: Men thought
her quiet and transt sndental; women
] shy, and uninterest ing. She practiced
! necessarily, much to the disgust O
Lizzie, who declared to her husband
that the scraping of Clara's fiddle drove
her crazy. Every day only proved
more conclusively that she and he1
::ster-in-law were made of different
clay.
The conversation with Heldmann ii
the music room returned to Clare
again and again. sc i. :
|, Another thing troubled her, and that
was the very evident desire of Franl
and Lizzie to- ee:her' married. Sh,
had heenca at home: ~ year now. Sh'
had noticed that Harry Bennett;: :: {
/ friend Of her brother, was beginning tt
act toward her very much as poo
Professor Max had behaved before hi
1 explanation inithe music room. Sh,
liked Harry, 'bnt what he;sawA in Il