The Indianapolis journal., 1885-01-03

SYMPHONY IN MINOR,
A STORY.
By HI ALMAR H. BOYESEN.
copyrighted 1854, by the Author-An Rights
Reserved.]
PART ].


teacher and Herr Max Greifenstett needed pu-
pills. Presumably Miss Van Tassell could have
dispensed with Max Grefenstett more easily
than Max Greifenstett could have dispensed
with Miss Van Tassell But there was no hint
of Maxs dependence in the lordly manner in
which he accepted Miss Van Tassels proposi
tiUn. You know find teaching borous," he
said loftily; Il mean boresome or what you call
i'll Langwilig! like it not!7
why, then, do you do it," asked Miss Catha
rine languidly.
s'Vhy do it! Ach, Why"
Max flung back his great dark head and stared
defiantly at the ceiling. why do / eats Why do
sleep2' he continued dramatically Not be-
cause like it, surely. But because am sub
ject to the tyrannical laws of matter
Then | am the embodiment Of this unpleas-
ant fact to you" she said, smiling YEARLY.
"Well, Mr. Greifenstett, will be equally frank
with you sYou are the embodiment of no less
disagreeabe fact to me-the fact that have to
learn music. My father insists upon it, You
are his choice, not mine. He selected you, be-
lieye, because you are-so perfectly harmless,
she was about to say, but she changed her mind
and finished because of your pronounced ali
ensm.r
my alienism!n he repeated with puzzled
frown.
Eyes, you know all our music is foreign"
Catharine responded evasively, land the more
foreign man is the more musical ne may be
supposed to be.'
"Ah, but that is not true that is positively
false" no exclaimed with superb German in
nocence. ''Music is divine art, and it has
nothing TO do with foregnness or not foreign
ness"
What, then. has it to do with!' she inquired
with shade Of amusement at his enthusiastic
manner.
'Ah, madam, he cried fervidly, "here you ask
me one great question. But will answer it. 1t
depends upon two tings-one sensitive ear and
one grand soul"
Then you have grand soul?" she queried
fippantly, raising her fan to hide her amuse-
ment
'You compel me to seem immodest,' he said,
blushiIg, half with pride, half with embarrass-
ment; but if did MT believe that l had, L
should never touch the piano again"
Music teachers are not usually credited with
grandeur of soul" she calculated breaking into
a heartless laugh IF they were suspected of
any such dangerous possessions am afraid the
demand for them would cease They would be
inconyenient in families where there are girls
with romantic proclivities."
Madam" he said. with grave dignity, but
without shade of irritation; Il see you desire
to offend me- l vas foolish to lay bare my heart
before you; pardon me. shall not trouble you
again. Goodbye"
With his hand thrust into the bosom of his
waisteoat, and with the most elaborate Of for
eign bows he backed toward the door Catha-
rine started to her feet, and stood for moment
gazing at him in astonishment. With his
tbreadbare, i'll fitting garments, and his over
grown hair and beard, he did not look like man
who could afford to take offense and still less
like one to whom blue bIooded Knckerbocker
could afford to apologize. Nevertheless Cath
arine was i'll at ease His gentle, mournful dig
nifty had clearly put her in the wrong. She felt
that she had taken eowardly advantage of her
position to infict an injury upon a creature
whose respect for her sex prevented him from re-
senting it. Greifenstett had already reached the
hall, and would have PIT on his overcoat if he
had had one. As she heard him turn the knob
of the outer door, her conscience smote her She
hastened into the vestibule, put her hand on his
arm, and said
Mr.. Greifenstett, was rude to you I beg
your pardon"
He blushed to his ears and seemed over
whelmed with embarrassment
Il peg off you," he murmured, running his
hand nerveusly through his hair and bowing
with excessive Difference
II insist upon your coming back and finishing
the interview she urged. leading the way
Though the open door. He followed meekly,
but with visible reluctance
''Sit down." she said, with gentle insistence.
'It is then settled that we begin our lessons to-
morrow
Il peg your pardon, he replied, bending for
ward with a deprecatory gesture "bnt if you
will not be offended, would rather net.n
But shall be offended You do not regard
re as promising pupil evidently
''fou must not compel NE to say unpleasant
things to you have always been told that it
is not polite to be sincere with ladies'
Mr.. Grefenstett" calculated the girl, in o
tone half way between yexation and amusement
do you know that You are perfectly dreadful?
have never had any one speak in that style to
me as long as I have been alive
II am extremely sorry, retorted the German,
spreading his palms in a way indicating that he
diselaimed all responsibility.
''Then you actually think am stupdln
mo, think not dat you are stupid
What do you think thenf / have been told
from the time was so high she indicated the
height by gesture of her hand, that am
very clever, and as frankness seems to be in or
der. ! will confess that when compare myself
with those meet daily in society, cannot escape
the conclusion that am considerably above the
average
Il haf no doubt
'Ah but you are horribly provoking,
She arose with irrepressible nervousness. and
vssked toward the window.
stgSarhans vou would have tba l;,5aox. - u