River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-09-30

friends loss. and by no means inclined
TO forgive the cause of it.
And you meet her sometimes?" l
asked.
"Oh yes; but they haven't been here
for a long time now"
docs she know that you know of
this alfair?'
mot to my knowledge. It would
make no difference. if she did
What is MIR. Beaufoy?'
Nobody knows. Something big in
tie City, / suppose. Some think he is
a large money-lender. but he is only
known to be extremely rich, and to DO
given to scientific pursuits.
"IIow do you know them herep"
asked.
He is one of our greatest bene-
factors.n said Shaw-"one of the
original subscribers. and he occasionally
takes patients from here and finds en-
ployment for them
lin what capacity?"
THAT / don't know. Presumably
something good, as they have never
communicated with us again"
All this greatly interested me. aud
even as Shaw was speaking a servant
Brought in some letters.
Here" he went on, as the door
closed behind the servant, "here is a
letter from the lady herself. All, she
proposes to come over tomorrow after
noon 10 arrange about the songs fm
the entertainment.
Next day | was in the MUSHROOM.
playing by myself, when | heard The
door open, and the voices of person
entering the room. | stopped pIayiag
and rose. turning towards the Voice.
and thrilled with an intense and pain
full longing f0r the power to pierce iLt
dan kutSs winch ShroUdcd me.
Let me Introduce Mr.. Coples.one.
said the voice Of Dr.. Shaw. Nj
CuPlc>ione is our chiet musician nov
Mss Bcaulpv
bowed in nv darkness. vordc"n
N'...t manner OF We man il v as " no *
D. foe nle.
Il don't know whether ron will b
he So cccWpepy me- S1c sid
Her voice did not satisfy my curiosi-
ty much. She spoke in a low and
musical tone. but with. l thought, a
touch of hardness and decision. l
pictured her tail. and dark, and i'm
perious. but oh, how 1 longed to see
her!
IL can soon pick up the accompani-
ment. " l said, ''if don't know them
already. What do you wish 10 sing?"
She named two songs, one of which
I was familiar with; the other was new
to me.
"Play it over to Mr.. Coplestone,
Mary" she said, and then discovered
that there was another lady present.
She introduced me in a very Otf-hand
way, as l made room on the music
stool, TO "Miss Fortescue, my cousin. y
The song tried through once or twice
found no difficulty in getting through
t. 1t was simple enough, and at no
time would it have presented any diff
Guilty; but the deprivation had quicken
ed nv other faculties. as it often does,
and thing. even once heard, seemed
present 10 my ear, if chose, almost as
plainly as if it were actually sounding.
Miss Fortescue's touch was that of a
timid and inexperienced player. She
seemed. as far as | could Judge, to b5
shy, either of me or her cousin, Tor she
said scarcely a word, and received in
silence little directions about the mu-
sic. and so forth, which were given in
a tone such as an imperiOus mother
uses towards a disciplined child.
Shaw soon left us. Miss Beaufoy
sang very well indeed, and | soon be-
came quite interested in the music.
We had large stock of songs - the
room, and became engaged in mus
cal conversation, which led to my
PLAYING innumerable accomplishments,
at which Miss Beaufoy was pleased to
express her wonderment and her adj
miration. Her voice acquired consid'
cradle softness, | noticed, when she
chose. And it was in singular win
ming tone that she asked me whether,
with such musical abilities and taste. |
did not find life terribly dull at st.
Bar,imeus's.
Il do" | answered; 81 did. 1t is
different tt6s afternoon. 1t makes so
much difference when there is any APP
probation"
Il think you play wonderfully, she
answered in a matter-of-fact tone.
docs Miss Fortescue singp' / asked
feeling somewhat confused by her
straightforward commentator.
No." said a timid voice; THAT is,
like il, but l have had no practice.
mo; she does not, said her cousin
bluntly.
There was pause. Then she added
Should YOU care to leave St. Bar
/ timeus's, Mr. Coplestone?"
Where should | go?" l answered
with some asperity.
You know my father takes a great
/ interest ia the welfare of the-of the
. blind"
81 have heard so "
There are many ways you could De
useful to my father if you cared fpr a
change" she went on very suavely.
\ Your music alone would be very ac-
ceptab.e, and if you would. you could
give my cousin lessons. My father has
been thinking of getting her good in
struction."
knew not what to say. Here. in
deed. was strange and wonderful
chance. | hesitated and stammered in
my surprise: -,
''You would like to think it over?"
/ she said.
7 AT this iuncture DIR. Shaw returned.
IL have just been trying to tempt
your chief musician DIR. Shaw" she
T said.
They began to go towards the door.
"Indeedl how SOP" asked my frieno
gravely. She told him in her measured
/ tones as wewent with them to the door.
well, what does he sayP' asked
Shaw, thought little anxiously.
HE has said nothing yet" she re-
piled with dash of proyocation in her
tone.
81 should like to think it over. |
am delighted with the idea said |, 10
whom the proposal seemed more and
more advantageous.
Good bye was said. She held my
hand moment. for emphasis,
thought. as she said:
.Good-byel You can iet US know on
4 Wednesday,
The carrisge drove off, and turned
Y back with Shaw.
Take care, my boY-take care?
said the doctor. You are in the
tolls; take caren'
(To BE CoNTINUED.)
London Valuation.