The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-07-17

clay.
The conversation with Heldmann in
the music room returned to Clara
again and again.
Another thing her, and that
was the very evident desire of Frank
and Lizzie to see her married. She
had been at home year now. She
had noticed that Harry Bennett, a
friend OF her brother, was beginning to
act toward her very much as poor
Professor Max had behaved before his
explanation in the music room. She
liked Harry, but what lie saw in her
to care for in that way puzzled her
greatly.
He called one afternoon and found
Clara practicing. "Confess that you
really like that stuff" he said, "as she
laid aside her violin. "You only play
it because you think you ought to-"
cit is the best part of my life" she
answered gravely; 1.-The only part that l
feel is worth living"
81 know" said Harry. "An young
girls think they ought to live for some-
thing. 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
like-practice all day long if you want
to-"
'Don't think that am ungateful," !"
said Clara, in IL low voice; sbut can't
indeed can't. Musicians tell me that
I can, If l will, become u violinist.
shall open the subject to my brother
this very evening""
CLARA, don't do that, Iimplore YOU.
You don't know anything oftmt kind
of life; you don't know what terrible
influences will be brought to bear on
you. Give up the fancy; l wish
could move you by saying, for my
sake Give it up"
But Clara thought OF ofProfcssOr Max's
words and ncrvcd herself for an inter-
view with her brother. 1t was more
stormy than she had anticipated.
From his standpoint she was abso-
lutely incxcusablc and equally incom-
prellensiblc. But they were obliged to
give way before her determination.
The world discovered that the Curtises
had quarrelcd with Clara and sent her
to Europe, and her name was dropped
from its visiting books and after IL
while from its mind.
She sent one letter to her relatives,
but Lizzie returned it unopened, with
out consulting Frank. and they re-
ceivcd no more communicate They
learned through an evcr-vigilant press
that Miss Curtis, IL young American
girl, had, as Clara Anselmo, made a
brilliant debut abroad, antl-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 mlcomposer,
Philippe Noel, who rivaled Chopin in
his delicate fancy and the strain OF
French blood that gave him his name,
had been engaged for Il 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" /"
Most people have forgotten l,er ex-
istence by this time," said Frank, dep
recatingly. IL shouldn't dream OF
your going, hut think / shall 20 and
hear her play"
He went. Across the hall he saw
Harry Bennett and his pretty tiance,
unconscious OF amy interest but music
on lIarry'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 us ever, except that close OBJ
server could see added power in he,
serene forehead and direct gaze. But
once in full tide OF sound she seemed %
become ethcrcaliZr,l with excitement
and delight. Max lIcldmann was right.
This WIS her world, thecarccr for which
she was born. I'l,caudience 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. lie turned to the
pretty girl by his side and knew that
She was all his, but he felt ii he had
married Clara she would always have
escaped from him on the wings OF m,l.
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.
noycd 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
lie rose with Clara us the two men
came forward.
"lrank, am very, very glad to see
you. didn't hope for this" she said
giving him an nffectionate kiss, and
holding out her hand to Harry
"This is my husband, Nj. Noel Philippe
my brother, Mr.. Curtis, and his friend,
MIR. 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.
cl excused himself OH 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 tho
change in your life, Clara" said Frank
reproachfully.
~ had no encouragement" she an.
swered, and blusl.ed IL little. "When
my first letter was sent back iinopen
ed, naturally did not make a second
attempt, considering our parting"
"Sent back" began Frank; then re.
membering liarry's presence, and con.
jecturinr l4izzie's work, he said hasti-
ly: Forgive me; tell me about your
self, now"
"If you care to hear, Mr.. Bennett,
you wont he bored. No? Well,
studied hard, nigln and day, as you
may suppose. My debut was wonder
fully successful. MAJ tell you that
without conccit. They said l was q
full-nc,lgcd avtist, and the house fairly
rocked with applause. YOU cannot
imagine the triumph, the Ills. re
know that yo" AsNe the power to cx
press to ot' r. what music says tC
you, an,Hthat you sway them Will
your elf lfotions; TO feel-fecl to yom
highest dndderpeSt capacity, and lcav.
it all here" She held out her hand.
with quaint foreign gesture. ~ an
happy. Then PI.iippe"-she paused Il
moment and Went ,pn-''mtlsic gave Us
to each other. His first composition
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