The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-03-04
DUUX SOUVENIR.

she unhesitstiDgly declared ii should be
hung and furnished in shades purple
from the deepest to the palest, and it was
done.
On this afternoon her own dress harmon
lied with the room. Violet silk and velvet
trained over the purple carpet, and band
of sparkling amethyst violets bound her
golden hair. Even the air was laden with
faint fragrance OF the fresh flowers.
Nora was seated at the piano playing,
while Philip Leighton leaned his fair head
against the DARK daLaask of an easy chair,
and listened with half closed e yes. His Yio-
In lay lovingly against hrs heart, and his
long, slender violin hand" still carelessly
he q the bow
Play No. / OF the Lsider," he said, as she
paused, with faint, inouir1ng chord; the
enc which they call Sweet Remembrance.'
She shiYered slightly, snd opened her lips
70 refuse, then resolutely turning, she began
10 play. Philips eyes were open now, and
be watched her closely, as, with tight-shut
mouth and sad, strained eyes, she played il
through with rare feeling, but evident pain.
Like a fiEsh, there passed through his mind
the thought Of q cruel wind driving bsfOrait
two forms with faces he knew. As the last
that Philip started 70 his feet, looking at her
10 surprise; but almost instantly her color
turned. and she laughed lightly
I once read,' he said quietly, as he re-
sested himself in bis purple chair, "a very
strange story about every one having key
note a certain nOts in the scale dominated
over them in some mysterious fashion, aud
every one who discovered this possessed a
singular power over the person who re-
sponded 10 1t. The story pretended that this
was universal. think it fanCiful myself,
though I have never tried to prove it. 1 am
h.o- f-,rrr
ration Of sounds which has strange effect
upon you, Nora Whyisdo you never play
that piece without evident sufTering?"
again slight shudder passed over her;
but after moments hesitation, she replied.
I 90 not know. That it is SO is true and
although 1 am unconscious of changing
color, l know that too is so; for after playing
il PEG pie have sometimes come up and of
fered me a fan or vinaigrette, if they
thought me faint"
What does it make you think of" he
asked.
''Of the wind. Whoever named it Doux
Souvenir must Rave had different ears from
mine. It also makes me tn nix of or see a
"Representing-?"
"Two shadewy figures driven by the
wind. Such sad sad looks they turn one to
the other; but sadness full OF longing, lin
geriDg love-"
This tine he, too. turned pale He rose
''My dear Nora - ne said, this is growing
absurd. Absolutely l begin myself to
shfver. Come, accompany me- LET Us pay
1t together
Complying at once, she went to the piano.
Once or twice she raised her eyes to his
face beseechingly, as if imploring him to
stop; but he was mercilessIy determined
10 fight away this something" and he
held her to the very last. Softly, faint
ly, the murmuring wind-sounds died away,
until they blended into silence; but as he
tHrned TO chide her playfully, her eyes
looked dimly into his, then closed as she
tainted in his arms.
Neither had noticed her father, who drawn
by the music, han been standing in the cur
tanned doorway. He hurried in, as his daugh-
ter fell, and taking her somewhat abruptly
from Philips arms, said WORD to him, and
the young man retired. A moment after,
Mona opened her eyes in vague wonder,
ard, seeing her fathers face, could recall
nothing of what had passed. He gently ex-
planned.
Il was just going to call your mother
be sdded; but since you are bstter-c0me
take turn up and down with me; there
now, your color is coming. Nora, wit
take this opportunity to say that do not
wish you to see 80 much of Philip
oh, papa, he had nothing to do with my
fsintiT g-Dothing at ALL"
'Do you know" said her father slowly,
all the circumstances Of Philips lifep
No" she answered frankly, 81 do not. 1
only know there is something painful in his
past about which no one speaks"
1T concerns a woman" began her father,
and then he hesitated.
Papa" said Nora, ''if you wish to tell me
anything. whatever 1t may be, do not be
afraid of sgitating me. Philip has never
made love to me-is nothing to me, as you
seem TO iear.n
"Ab, them" in a tone of relief, "you
ought to know the story. Philip is married,
aud bis wife is supposed TO be living"
In spite of herself Nora shivered and
TT rned pale.
well, when did this happsn9 Please tell
me all, !" she said as quietly as she could.
at isn't a long story, and it's not a very
romantic one. De was drawn into the thing
when collfge youth. He married his land.
lady's daughter privately; and six weeks
after she ran away with his most intimate
friend. All this before his college course
was ended. He took no steps to trace his
wife. and there the matter rested"
81 am glad you told me this, papa" Nora
said, simply. Zone ought to be posted upon
these matters"
Her manner then and after was so calm
that he father congratulated himself on his
timely revelation. II might have been too
ate" he said TO himself.
Days passed. Philip did not appear. Then
one day package came to Nora, containing
q very small copy of ''Doux Souvenir" ex-
quisitely bound in violet. From the pages
dropped . note
Moral have seen your father, who tells
me you know all: this has brought me to a
sense OF my own peril, and l feel dare not
meet you again. PHILIP"
Nora told herself she should not. would not
care. and she forced herself to be brave; bat
she did care, for all that, aud she laid way
"DOux SOuvenir'-ahl 'Triste Souvenir"
and never played it now. Still her life went
on the same; and one evening she found
herself in the artists reception in company
with some friends Exquisitely dressed
groups passed up and down before the Deau-
tiful pictures, the air was filed with sweet
sounds and the scent of rare flowers, and
Nora was almost forgetting to feel sad.
There was q pause in the music, aud her
friends were chattering gayly around her.
wien softly. sTeetly from an adjoining room
came the sounds of "Doux Souvenir" Turn
icg Quickly, Nora met Philips eyes.
He stepped forward. 81 must speak TO
you this once" he said.
With a word of excuse to her friends
she took his offered arm and walked with
him up and down, al ways within sound of
the song.
Nora" he whispered. passionatsly, ST
can not keep away from You-I can not live
without YOU Speak one word to strength