Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-05-07


According to its already acquired trick,
my hand played with the idol on my
watch-guard. Rapidly, without warning,
an influence crcpt over me which | am to
this day incompetent to explain.
1t was as though will not mine seized
suddenly upon my members, while with.
drew to Il corner of my brain and watched
my own performances as if they were
those of another person. 1t compelled
me to I Use from the sofa on which | lay
and hurriedly to divest myself of the
clothes | had on, substituting for them
my evening-dress 1t compelled me to
elaborate my toilet with infinite care, and
to descend the staircase past the threshold
ana out into the street.
After Il walk of some minutes | hailed
cab that was jogging sleepily along, and
muttering to the driver few syllables
which could not distinguish, was ratified
over the cobble-stones whittier ! could not
guess.
Byand-by the cab halted /; tie driver
flung wide the door and out leapt.
Before me stretched band Of carpet up
an ordinary stone stoop and above me
was extended such an awning as it is the
fashion to erect where festivities are in
progress. | ran up the stoop and was adj
mitted by Il negro into an ordinary mar
ble-paved hallway. The negro guided me
to the gentleman's dressing-room and
having repaired the damage wrought upon
my appearance Ivy the commotion of the
drive, | joined the stream OF guests that
flowed into the parlor.
The parlor was entirely unfamiliar to
me, could have sworn that had never
been received there before 1t was bright
~ lighted, hot, redOlent with the scent
of flowers, .uncOmfOrtably crowded, and
noisy with the buzz of conversation and
the Clatter of laughter. | made my obei-
sance tothe hostess, who was IA total stran-
ger to me, and proceeded to circulate
among the people.
thought | recognized face here and
there, but was by no means sure, and
did not venture to address a mothers
sou felt dazed and giddy. | had no
control over myself, or should have gone
away.
stalked forlornly to and fro, and spec
ulated upon what the denouement OF this
adventure was likely to be.
Abruptly a hush fell over the assem-
blage. Ladies and gentlemen settled
themselves in their chairs aad abandoned
talk, rs If to listen to speech or to music.
somebody whispered to somebody else,
Miss Bertha, the daughter of the house,
is about to play. Let us go into the other
room"
pushed through the throng into the
back parlOr.
There was man seated at piano. out
Of sight some one was audibly tuning a
violin.
The pianist struck a few preliminary
chords. The violinist emerged from her
concealment.
For an instant ! believed that | should
swoon. My heart bounded into my throat.
The viOliuist was no other than my regal
beauty of the street-car.
What fatality had thus brought us to-
gether?
They played the "Erl King so that
ones hair rose on end; and afterward an
impromptu by Chopin, the mighty, pas
sonate, plaintive melody of which pene-
trated the inmost marrow of my soul and
set it quivering with Il delight as acute as
pain, but better far than the music was
the consummate grace of Miss Bertha s
movements-now soft and wOoing, now
swift and fierce as she dashed the strings.
| watched her with infatuated eyes until
the last sobbing note had expired into the
air.
AS soon as she had done, the stupid audi
dience destroyed the beautiful effect of
her music by clapping their hands so loud
ly that you would have wished to stuff
their ears with cotton. Hand. clapping
after music is too bOiSterOuS-even for APP
plause it is homogeneous, like Il dose of
bitter medicine after an exquisite dinner.
1t eiiaceS the sweet impression that the
music should have left.
The audience capped their hands until
the skin must have bhstered and then
]
their congratulations. | appealed to a
motherIy looking lady who was tanning
herself at my elbow, and saying that
hadn't the honor of Miss Bertha's acquuin
lance, begged her to present me.
She eyed me quizZically, us much as tC
retort, Nor have the honor OF yours :;
but her good nature triumphed, and SHE
replied, "Certainly,-only, dear me, how
/ awkward, II can't recall your name
/ Mr. ?"
"Mr. Norton" | said.
"Oh yes, indeed, Mr. Morton. Well,
| come with me-"
The lady introduced me very prettily
and Bertha greeted me with rs much gra
ciousness as | was entitled to expect.
sat down beside her and told her as wei
as | could something OF how deeply | had
been affected by her music, but my near
thrilled so keenly at her near presenc,
that had no trlhing hardship in speak
( ing cOherently | am sure | blushed, and
| am afraid stammered like school-boy
She responded languidly, as was natura
III one TO whom compliments like mine
were an old story but in the midst of al
indifferent sentence her eyes frightened
up, and she exclaimed with vivacity
why, what have you there | have .eel
that before" designating my idol
"Oh, this is rather unique present
had given me the other day,"l answered
detaching it from my chain. My arm
tingled violently as my fingers came il
contact with it. 81 imagine it is exceed
ing ancient, and if a little superstition
were permissible ! should imagine ais
that it was manufactured under the i'm
mediate supervision of no less distinguish
ed an individual than his satanic majesty
: 1t certainly behaves very eXtraordinar
at times
"Where have | seen it before ," muse
, Bertha, 1T seems as though | had bee
familiar with it Years ago"
She reached forth her hand and nc
without few misgivings | deposited
7 therein. She had on a glove, however
and that perhaps protected her from it
shock. AT any rate she grasped it quit
fearlessly and scrutinized it until ever
? detail OF its anatomy must have bee
stamped upon her retina.
= mo" she said 81 cannot remember
and yet | know that this is not the onl
5 time have held it in my hand. It's ode
seems to awake far-off "reminiscences, dir
and obscure like those of former lif,
: Tell me all about how you came by it,"
= jumped at the opportunity to loter b
! her side and recounted every circumstanC
ted with IFS history from the en-