The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1885-10-01
60 care for s. that way pnisizlsd s

e = neE
&c called one afternoon and found
Clara practicing ,onfess that you
sreally ike that stud, :, he said, as she
laid aside her violin. You only play
it because you think you ought to.
So sc is the best part Of my life, !" she
answered gravely;; the only part that I
feel is worth living. .
IS 81 know" said Harry. "All young
girls think they ought to I've for some
ching. That's part of their boarding
school training; but have been hop
ing for months that we might try life
together. You shall do Just as you
ike-practice all day long if you want
to-" .#Ir &EY
"Don't think that am ungrateful,"
said Clara, in a low voice; ssbut I can't,
indeed 1 can't. Musicians tell me that
I can, if 1 will, become a violinist. I
shall open the subject to my brother
this very evening""
"Clara, don't othat, Iimplore 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; I wish I
could move you by saying, for my
sake Give it up"
But Clara thought ofProfessor Max's
words and nerved herself for an inter-
view with her brother. It was more
stormy than she had anticipated.
From his standpoint she was abso-
lutely inexcusable and equally incom-
prehensible. But they were obliged to-
give way before her determinati on
The world discovered that the C11rtises
had quarreled with Clara and sent her
to Europe, and her name was dropped
from it's visiting books and after a.
while from it's mind.
She sent one letter to her relatives,
but Lizzie returned it unopened, with
out consulting Frank, and they re-
ceived nc more communications. They
learned through an ever-vigilant press
that Miss Curtis, young American
girl, had, rs Clara Anseln.o, made a
brilliant debut abroad, and after that
they lost sight OF her for several years
On taking up his paper one morning
Frank discovered that the celebrated
violinist, Nine. Clara Anselmo, 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 con-
certs.
'It is the worst possible taste for
her to come back here" said Lizzie
"Of course, you will take no notice.
"AIost people have forgotten her ex
istence by this time,'' said Frank, dep
recatingly. II shouldn't dream of
your going, but think I shall go and
hear her play.'
He went Across the hall he saw
Harry Bennett and his pretty fiance,
unconscious Of any interest but music
on Harry's part, for Clara was years
before her day Harry seemed excited
and nervous, and, in watching him,
Frank 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 full tide of sound sheseemed 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 Juror 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 all his, but he felt if he had
married Clara she would always have
escaped from him on the wings of mu-
sic. 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, an
noyed to find, early as it was, the
pianist Noel was already there, apPar-
emily on an intimate footing. But
perhaps he had only come to practice.
He rose with Clara as the two men
came forward
Crank, am very, very glad to see
you. / didn't hope for this" shesaid,
giving him an atfectionate kiss, and
holding out her hand to Harry.
F'This is my husband, NJ. Noel Philippe,
my brother, Mr.. Curtis, and his friend,
Mr. Bennett"
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. No
ell excused himself on the plea of an
engagement, 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.
Il had no encouragement" she an
swered, and blushed a little. "When
my first letter was sent back unopen-
ed, naturally | did not make second
attempt, considering our parting"
"Sent back" began Frank; then re-
Numbering Harry's presence, and con-
occurring Lizzie's work, he said hasti-
self, now"
"If you care to hear, Mr.. Bennett,
you won't be bored: No? Well, |
studied hard, night and day, as you
may suppose. My debut was wonder
fully successful. l may tell you that
without conceit. They said l was
full-fedged artist, and the house fairly
rocked with applause. You cannot
imagine the triumph, the bliss. To
know that you have the power to ex-
press to others what music says to
you, and that you sway them with
your emotions; to feel-feel to your
highest and deepest capacity, and leave
it all here She held out her hands
with a quaint foreign gesture. II am
happy. Then Philippe"-she paused
moment and went on-''music gave us
to each other His first composition
was dedicated to me, and never play
ed anything 50 we'll as what he writes.
We were married three years ago, and
he is half of my soul, as am OF his.
Don't smile Harry. You cannot feel
divineness of MUSIC, and ! CANNOT tell
you; but the universe is in it, and when
words are too feeble we play together
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