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


Music and Matrimony.
When floating young man of
thirty wears has sister of eighteen ready
TO graduate from the boarding school
which has conveniently swallowed her
I'D for the last eight years what is he to
do with herr This was the question that
puzzled Frank Curtis. He remembered
his sister as very pretty little girl,
though he had not seen her tor three
wears. There was no help for it. Frank
saw that matrimony for him was immi-
nent.
About this time he made trip with
the Cutler family; they were rich and
self-made, worshiping their maker, and
the household consisted of father, moth
CT, and daughter, still under twenty-five.
Joseph Cutler, of Cutler, Sheffield & Co.,
was reputed worth 81, 900, 900, of which
one at least the golden youth hoped
would be settled on his daughter Lizzie
as a bride. Not very clever, not very
pretty, she at least knew that her money
could buy her whatever she wanted in
the way of a husband, and she was con-
tent to wait until chance should bring
her the man who most nearly resembled
her ideal
Frank Curtis wooing was brief after
he had once decided that Lizzie Cutler
money would provide luxurious home
for himself and his sister, He had a
small income of his own, and was con-
sldered clever in his profession Con-
gratulations began to pour in thick and
fast on the pair when hundred thou
sand dollar house began to rise at Mr..
Cutters expense, to be ready for the
Young couple on their return from their
bridal trip They were to take in Clara
Curtis commencement as they travelled,
and bring her home with them.
Frank was agreeably surprised at his
sisters appearance when he and his bride
arrived at her school. In a vague, mascu-
line way he felt that she and Lizzie did
not seem very congenial, but he supposed
that would wear off after little.
-'Of course you are coming to night, :"
said Clara. Its our concert" 81 play, )"
she continued, dimpling and bushing,
"a duet for violin and piano with Mr..
Heldmann."
Frank nodded He was fond of mu-
SIC and, to sit through whole evening
of schoolgirl playing and singing was a
sacrifice on the altar of fraternal atfec-
ton and the proprieties. AS for Lizzie
she always frankly avowed that good
music sent her to sleep. But she be-
came suddenly attentive, aud SO did
Frank, when Clara appeared with the
violin and the professor took the piano.
Frank heard genius in the moaning and
wailing under her hands of that most
perfect instrument. If she had been
pretty before, she became transfgured
row. lie wondered how she felt. stand
ing before all those people of whom,
perhaps, not one in ten understood what
she was playing. But the novelty of the
thing, the sweet face lovingly pressed
against the violin, the delicate fingers
dashing over the strings, brought down
the house. She was the success of the
evening, and had her first taste of that
Intoxicating drink-the applause of the
multitude.
Il congratulate you," said her
brother. II was proud of you tonight" !"
'Clara, Professor Max wants all in the
muslc-roam." said one of of her COM
panlons, and Mr.. and Mrs. Curtis were
lelt alone, while Clara and her fellow
performers pursued their way to the
presence of the professor of music and
herman, fair-haired, powerfully built
man OF one or two and thirty years,
Anown among his f1uttering pupils as
frolessor Max, and addressed by them
as MIR. lleldmann. He congratulated
them on their success, and then dis
missed all but Clara.
! have told you many times now al
ready, Miss Curtis" he said. You have
genius that you should cultivate. ad-
'he you that you go to Europe and
study"
DE professional player?" said Clara,
WIN wide eyes. s'What would my
Brother say2'
Talk to him about it. He will yield.
break from your friends, from love you
were born to be great. Must you smother
sach talent2 And for what? That
.oosh men make love to you in ball
,oom, and You marry and die like other
women. What for a career is that for
,ou, love you. tell you SO, but you
Tu Isust not love me. Igive you to art.
,,'. LOU must love some day, otherwise your
Eaying will alway lack; then you will
suow what have done in leaving you
l' hee from my love, for l ask nothing
iiaek. All that can do to help you will
W. auo; You must call on me when you
=. ateu me, and when you have the world
ons %sour ieet after your triumph, think
M' tbee at home of the man who first set free
meI, nue. In,uttering wings of your genius. Re-
',1ioer cll what tell you"
s.. Niara bcwildered and frightened, only
on1, rmI 'ne tears dim his bright blue eyes,
ba:g, bg ielt two bearded lips on her cold
manu a,ras' and she was alone with the
iory woa. OF her first love affair." She
w;t1 nome with her brother and his
tsroa, ne, was called upon, went to balls, en-
sta 't - upon round Of gayeties appropri-
tho " " girl upon her first season, under
nres.; est.;iaperonage of sister-in-law whose
her OF wealth cast glamour over
Cess m Dat ,I she was not altogether sue
eenSoua ,a Men thought her quiet and trans
ino i'n.a'; e, women. shy and uninterest-
the d. one practiced incessantly, much to
her hsgust hn of Lizzie, who declared to
@ ddalo husband that the scraping Of Clara's
proved hove drove her crazy. Every day only
her h,Su s;s. more conclusively that she and
clay. IA" were made OF dlfferenf
the m",; "' conversation with Heldmann II
nd c' aa.;c room recurred to Clara agair