Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-07-08


! Lizzie ID Soc hes married She ha1 been
At home yeaf nov. She had noticed
that Harry Bennett. friend IS her
brother. wna beginning to act toward her
very much as poor Professor 1Iax had
music room She liked Harry, but what
he saw ia her 10 care for ia that way
puzzled her greatly.
He called one afternoon and found
Clara pfacticing. 'Confnss thar you
don't really like that stuff. be said. as
she laid aside the violin. You only
play il because you think yon ought to. 2
IL is the best part Of my life. she
answered gravely; the only part that /
feel is worth living.
4 KNOW said Hafry. ssAll young
girls think they ought 70 live for some
thing. That's part Of their boarding
school training bnt have been hoping
for months that We might try life to-
gether. You shall do just IS you like
practice al day long il you want to. ?
Don't think that am unQratoful. =
said Clara. in d low voice; asbut can't.
indeed can't Musicians tell me that
! can, il viii, become great violinist.
shall open the subject to my brother
this very evening"
Clara, don't do that, implore you.
You don't know anything 81 that kind
Of life; you don't know what terrible
influences will be brought to bear IN
/ you. Give up the fancy, wish / could
move you by saying, for my sake. Give
it up.
But Clara thought Of Professor Max's
neeA
view with her brother It was more
stormy than she had anticipated. From
his standpoint she was absolutely mex
cusable and equally incomprehensible
But they were obliged to give way before
her determination. The world discov-
cred that the Curtises had qtafreiBd with
Clara and sent her to Europe, and her
name was dropped from its visiting
books and after while from its mind.
She sent one letter TO her relatives, but
Lizzie returned it unopened, without con-
sultin1 Frank. and they received no more
communications They learned through
an ever-vigilant press that Miss Curtis, q
young American girl had. as Clara An
selm0, made d brilliant debut abroad,
and after that they lost sight OF her
for several years. On taking up his
paper Oae morning Frank discovered that
the celebrated violinist, Nine. Clara An
selma, 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 series Of
concerts.
1T is the worst possible taste for her
to come back here. " said Lizzie. ssOf
course, you viii take no notice.
Most people have forgotten her ex-
istence by this time. : said Frank, depre-
catingly II shouldn't dreams Of your
going, but think shall go and hear her
play"
He went. Across the hall he saw
Harry Bennett and his pretty fiance, un-
conscious 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 close OBJ
server could see added power in her
serene forehead and direct gaze. But
once in the full tide Of sound she seemed
to become ethereaIized 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 that if he had
married Clara she would always have
escaped from him on the wings OF music.
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, annoyed to find
early as it was, the pianoisr Noel was
already there, apparently on an intimate
footing. But perhaps he had only come
to practice. He rose with Clara as the
two men came forward.
frank, i am very, very glad to see you.
I didn't hope for this, she said, giving
him an afectfonate kiss, aud holding
out her hand to Harry ssThis is my
husband, NJ. Noel Philippe. my brother,
Mr.. Curtis, and his friend, Mr.. BEN
nett
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.
Noel excused himself on plea of an en-
gagencnt. murmuring in French to
Clara You will do better without me,
and departed
And you never sent me 4 word Of
the change ia your life, Clara, said
Frank, reproachfully.
II had no encouragement. she an
swcred. and blushed q little. when
my first letter was sent back unopened,
naturally did not make Q second At
tempt. considering our parting =
Sent back n began Frank; then re-
memberinQ Harrv's presence. and con