The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-04-09
DOUx SOUVENIR.

The room was one of those har-
monious little bowers often seen in
these aesthetic days. Nora had fallen
In love with the description of violet
boudoir, and when her taste was con-
suited about her own boudoir she un-
hesitatingly declared it should be hung
and furnished in shades of purple from
the deepest to the palest, and it was
done.
On this afternoon her own dress har-
monized with the room. Violet silk
and velvet trained over the purple car
pet, and a 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 damask of an
easy chair, and listened with half-closed
eyes. His violin lay lovingly against
his heart, and his long, slender "violln
hand" still carelessly held the bow.
"Play No. l of the Lieder," he said,
as she paused, with faint, inquiring
chord; "the one which they call Sweet
Remembrance
She shivered slightly, and opened
her lips to refuse, then resolutely turn
ing, she began to play. Philips eyes
were open now, and he watched her
closely, as, with tight-shut mouth and
sad. strained eyes, she played it through
with rare feeling, but evident pain.
Like fash, there passed through his
mind the thought of a cruel wind driv-
ing before it two forms with faces he
knew. AS the last note died away
Nora rose so pale and wan that Philip
started TO his feet, looking at her in
surprise; but almost instantly her color
returned, and she laughed lightly.
Il once read" he said, quietly, as he
reseated himself in his purple chair,
"a very strange story about every one
having a keynote. A certain note in
the scale dominated over them in some
mysterious fashion, and every one who
discovered this possessed a singular
power over the person who responded
to it. The story pretended that this
was universal. l think it fanciful my
self, though have never tried toprove
it. / am certain, however, that have
found q combination of sounds which
has a strange effect upon you, Nora.
Why do you never play that piece with
out evident suffering?"
Again slight shudder passed over
her, but after a moments hesitation she
replied
Il don't know That it is so is true,
and although / am unconscious of
changing color, l know that, too, is so !;
for, after playing it, people have some
times come up and offered me fan
or Yinaigrette, as if they Thought me
faint"
what does it make you think OFF"
he asked.
"Of the wind. Whoever named it
Doux Souvenir must have had differ
ent ears from mine. 1t also makes me
think of or see picture.
Representing-"
1.-TWO shadowy figures driven by the
wind. Such sad, sad looks they turn
one to the other; but sadness full of
longing, lingering love-"
This time he, too, turned pale. He
rose.
MY dear Nora" he said, "this is
growing absurd. Absolutely, begin
myself to SILVER. Come, accompany
me: let us play it together"
Complying at once, she went to the
piano. Once or twice she raised her
eyes to his face beseechingly, as if i'm
ploring him to stop; but he was merc-
lessly determined to fight away this
something" and he held her to the
very last. Softly, family. the murmur-
ing wind-sounds died away, until they
blended into silence; but as he turned
TO chide her playfully, her eyes looked
dimly into his, then closed as she faint
ed In his arms.
Neither had noticed her father, who,
drawn by the music. had been standing
in the curtained doorway. He hurried
in as his daughter fell, and, taking her
somewhat abruptly from Philips arms,
said word to him, and the young man
retired A moment after, Nora opened
her eyes in vague wonder, and, seeing
her fathers face could recall nothing of
what had passed. He gently ex-
planned.
az was just going to call your
mother" he added; but since you are
.better-come, take turn up and down
with me; there, now, your color is
coming. Nora, will take this oppor
tunity to say that do not wish you to
see SO much of Philip"
"Oh, papa, he had nothing to do with
my fainting nothing at all"
"Do you know" said her father,
slowly, "all the circumstances of
Philips life?"
~No,' she answered frankly, II do
not. only know there is something
painful in his past, about which no one
speaks"
cit concerns woman began her
father, then he hesitated.
"Papa," said Nora "if You wish TO
tell me anything, whatever it may be,