The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1886-10-07

their voices to whisper; somewhat
otiose piece Of courtesy, for know
very well that it means they are talk
ing of me. They are. soon relieved
from their solitary prominence. as the
rustic of dresses and sound of voices
become continuous, and ere long the
general hum of conversation enfolds
my individuality, and the old feeling of
lost-fellowship begins to recur. The
seats are not arranged regularly, as for
concert, but for some time the visi-
tors. with gregarious coyness, avoid
the front places and am loft in COM
parative seclusion on my sofa near the
grand piano.
Presently Shaw comes up, and asks
mo to play something to set things
going. I obey and notice with salts
faction that my efforts are attended
with complete success; for the CONVEX
sation. at best a busy buzz. rises soon
to full power, and an occasional pause
in a fortissimo passage breaks off
strong threads of talk with resound-
ing twang. to the dismay of the sur.
prised takers. resume my place on
the largo sofa, and relapse into soil
tude. People approach close, but none
speak to me. thrill with expectancy
at the sweep of light skirts, but they
pass to and fro, and make no stay.
My services are called into requisition
for several accomplishments. and it
seems to me that the evening is slip
ping away at great pace, and, 50 far
as my interests are concerned, in vain.
At last, at the conclusion of thun-
derous performance upon the aggrieved
piano, am conscious of some one sit
ting down beside rue. and the voice l
have been expecting to hear sounds at
last.
'How do you do. Mr.. Coplestone?"
and the hand which instinctively raise
is taken in firm and emphatic grasp.
II began to think you were not COM
ing, Miss Beaufoy, and that the fruits
of our practising would be wasted"
1--WE are late," she said. my faith
er wished us to wait for him. but he
was 50 late l have come without him,
after all.
This was rather disappointing to me,
as was anxious to have the scheme
she had preached set upon firmer
footing.
''Is Miss Fortescue herep'' asked.
MARY" she said, there is Mr..
Coplestone, whom you r1et the other
day.
| found, or imagined that Miss Fort
escue had been standing close by. She
spoke IN her sweet subdued voice, and
begged that she would find a place
beside me.
Have you thought any moro of the
| r. I
asked.
Il should like it very much,' she
began rather hesitatingly, rs if unac-
concerning herself.
''Oh, we have not forgotten" broke
in her cousin in tone from which all
the charm seemed to have departed.
Then, having apparently asserted Miss
Fortescue out of the conversation, she
proceeded in a different tone:
II have spoken to my father about it,
and he sees no objection at all. He
means to talk to you about it tonight.
At this juncture she was called upon
to sing, and when the song was over
she was engaged in conversation by
some strangers, and l resumed my
place on the sofa.
"Are you hero still, Miss Fortescue?"
I asked.
She was. began to think that where
she was once placed she was in the habit
of remaining. Ihad already formed q
distinct and pleasant picture of her.
As she made no effort to begin con-
versation, was constrained to fall
back upon the proposed music-lessons.
She stood thawed, and we conversed
with some freedom. She seemed ex.
tremely simple. and even childish in
some respects. but could not torn any
clear idea of her age.
II suppose you 60 out a good deal?"
l hazarded.
''No, not much; don't care much
about it. My cousin used to 20 out q
good deal more, and then sometimes
went with her, but now she doesn't
care about it,
.'Do you live at your uncle'sP" l
asked.
EYES," she answered, and seemed to
be going to say more, but checked her.
self. She was evidently constrained,
and from what heard of the imperial
Beaufoy's manner to her, I imagined
that her life was not exactly a very
:You are fond of musicp" asked.
"Oh yes!" she said with an approach
to fervor.
'"rhen you will find regularly study.
ing it great interest. r."
''I'm sure I shall. | almost fear il
won't come true" she said naively, and
then laughed an embarrassed little
laugh.
Here comes my cousin" she said in
amuch less friendly tone than she had
used during most of our little chat.
us MI. Beaufoy there?''
Eyes; he is coming here too"
''Mr. Coplestone, said the voice Of
Miss Beautoy. ''here IS my father.''
l rose, and bowed to darkness in his
presumable direction.
''Mr. Coplestone. said very hard
, dry voice, crisp and precise, my
daughter has spoken to mc about YOU
musical abilities. should like to have
u little conversation with you.''
A movement was being made for re-
freshments, so Mr.. Beaufoy suggested
that we should remain where we were
We remained accordingly.
If you come," he said incisively
"these are my requirements. You will
give lessons to my niece, and help my
daughter in her music. You will b.
able to give me considerable assistance
in scientific pursuits in which am in
terested. You will live as one of tn,