The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1885-07-09

tnat Harry Bennett, friend OF her
brother, was beginning to act toward her
very much as poor Professor Max had
behaved before his explanation in the
music room. She liked Harry, but what
he saw in her to care for in that way
puzzled her greatly.
He called one afternoon and found
Clara practicing. ''Confess that you
don't really like that stuff" he said, as
she laid aside the violin. ''You only
play it because you think you ought to-"
''It is the best part of my life," she
answered gravely; "the only part that l
feel is worth living"
II know" said Harry. "All young
girls think they ought to live for some
thing. That's part of their boarding
school training; bnt I have been hoping
for months that we might try life to-
gether. You shall do just rs you like
practice all day long il you want to-"
''Don't think that l am ungrateful,"
said Clara in low voice; ''but | can't,
indeed can't. Musicians tell me that
can, if will, become a great violinist.
l shall open the subject to my brother
this very evening""
"Clara, don't do that 1 implore you.
You don't know anything of that kind
of life; you don't know what terrible
influences Will be brought to bear on
you. Give up the fancy; wish 1 could
move you by saying, for my sake Give
it up"
But Clara thought of Professor Max's
words, and nerved herself for an inter
view with her brother. 1t was more
stormy than she had anticipated. From
his standpoint she was absolutely mex
cusable and equally incomprehensible
But they we're obliged to give way before
| her Determination. The world discov-
cred that the Curtises had quarreled with
Clara and sent her to Europe, and her
name was dropped from its visiting
books and after while from its mind.
She sent one letter to her relatives, but
Lizzie returned it unopened, without con-
sulting Frank, and they received no more
communications. They learned through
an ever-vigilant press that Miss Curtis, a
young American girl had. as Clara An
selmo, made brilliant debut abroad,
and after that they lost sight of her
for several years. On taking up his
paper oae morning Frank discovered that
the celebrated violinist, Nine. Clara An
selmo, and the great Polish pianist and
composer, Philippe Noel, who rivaled
Chopin in his delicate fancy and the
strain of French blood that gave him his
name. had been engaged for a series of
concerts.
ut is the worst possible taste for her
to come back here" said Lizzie. ''Of
course, you will take no notice."
"Most people have forgotten her ex-
istence by this time " said Frank, depre-
catingly 81 shouldn't dream of your
going. but think 1 shall go and hear her
play"
He went. Across the hall he saw
Harry Bennett and his pretty tiance, un
conscious of any interest but music on
Harry's part, for Clara was years before
her day Harry seemed excited and
forgot to look for his sisters entrance
until the welcoming applause of the
audience aroused him.
She was the same Clara, simple and
quiet as ever, except that a close OBJ
server could see added power in her
serene forehead and direct gaze. But
once in the full tide of sound she seemed
to become etherealized with excitement
and delight. Max Heldmann was right.
This was her world, the career for which
she was born. The audience was reused
to furor by the violin and piano duet
composed by Noel and played by him
and Clara. Even Harry could not but
feel the sympathy and perfect accord
between the two. He turned to the
pretty girl by his side and knew that she
was ali his, but he felt that if he had
married Clara she would always have
| escaped from him on the wings of music.
When she played she no longer belonged
to earth.
Unknown to Lizzie. Frank went to see
his sister the next morning. He met
Harry in the hotel parlor, and they went
together to her rooms, annoyed to find
early as it was, the pianoist Noel was
already there, apparently on an intimate
footing. But perhaps he had only come
to practice. He rose with Clara as the
two men came forward.
"Frank, I am very, very glad to see you.
I didn't hope for this" she said, giving
him an affcctionate kiss, aud holding
out her hand to Harry. 'This is my
! husband, M. Noel Philippe, my brother,
Mr.. Curtis, and his friend, Mr.. Ben
nett"
Frank was startled and Harry dis
| mayed. Something still stirred in the
depths of his heart for her in spite
of the seven years and the new love.
| Noel excused himself on q plea of an en-
gagemen., murmuring in French to
Clara: 'You will do better without me, -
and departed.
''And you never sent me word OF
the change in your life, Clara" said
Frank, reproachfully.'
| 81 had no encouragement" she an
swered, and blushed a little. "When
nv first letter was sent back unopened,
| naturally I did not make a second at
| tempt. considering our parting"
"Sent backp' began Frank; then re-
membering Harry's presence. and con
jecturing Lizzie's work, he said hastily
Forgive me, tell me about yourself
now"
eff you care to hear. Mr.. Bennett, you
won't be bored. No? Well, | studied
hard, night and day. as you may sup
pose. NV debut was wonderfully sue
cessful. 1 may tell you that without
conceit. They said was full-1edged
! artist. and the house fairly rocked with
applause. You cannot imagine the
triumph. the bliss. To know that you
have the power to express to others what
music says to you, and that you sway
them with your emotions; to feel-feel
to your highest and deepest capacity,
j and leave it all here" She held ont
her hands with quaint foreign gesture.
~ am happy. Then Philippe"-she