Montgomery County sentinel., 1888-07-13

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He had fallen into the habit Of stay
ing after his lesson was over to talk j; so
that after twenty lessons it was not
strange that they felt itolerably we'll ac-
quaintedi 4 And Lefty had eoniided to
herself more than once that Mr.. Glib
son was "uncommohly" entertaining aud
nice. ,.st.sa,q..Fv 80
The. rehearsal passed off with, all pos
sible Ssho6tliness d but Mr.. Gibson was
not there. Lettyshssa received note
from him ,pt the last minute. stating his
unavoidable detention. = " ;
A bunch ofaowers had accomp panied
It, and white lroee shown in Lstty's
soft hair at the rseeptions
Little Genevieve. came and PLAYED
successfully. Mrs. Gibson came with
her, and she smiled blandly on Lefty,
and complimeuted ber on Genevievs's
progress. She did not mention her son,
and Lefty went home vaguely wonder
ing, 4Eco3 ) Tg.tss1a
She gave Geue vievos y lessen NEXT day.a
She didn't understand why it was, but
the imposing hall, with its stately fur
nishings, and the charmingly-appointed
music-room, somehow depressed her, that
she forgot her muf, and went three
blocks on her way home without it.
She saw young Mr.. Gibson run up the
steps as she went back, and she walked
slowly in order to avoid him.
His hat was on peg when she was
admitted to the hall II looked wofully
different hanging on mahogany hat
rack with long mirror and lying in
formally on her piano.top at home.
The notes of the Gibson piano were
sounding, and Lefty listened wonder.
ingly. She recognized the moonlight
sonata, brilliantly and charmingly exc
cuted.
Who was i'll Mrs. Gibson, possibly.
She went on into the music-room. in
eager curiosity.
Her muif lay on the chair where she
had left it; but Lefty did not take it,
She stood quite still in the doorway gaz-
ing motionless and speechless at the per-
son on the piano stool.
1t was Raymond Gibson.
His music teacher had stood in the
doorway somo three minutes before he
became aware of her presence. Then
there was crashing Of the keys.
"Miss Whitaker" gasped her pupil.
Lefty only gazcd at him. She was
quito stunned.
Mr.. Gibson sprang to his feet.
Don't look like thatw he entreated,
rushing toward her. Don't, Miss
Whitaker p
"What-what does this mean, Mr..
Gibson? 7" she said
Mr.. Gibson pulled her gently inside,
and shut tho door.
Lefty looked at him with reddening
checks, and then bursting into tears.
what did you do it for 7" she sobbed.
what for 7" her pupil repeated.
standing very close to her and getting
possession Of her hands, Dent you
know, Mis- Whitaker Letty2 I've
wanted to know you so--for yoars-ever
since | first saw you And I'd begun to
think | never should be able to manage
it, | used to lay awake nights worrying
over it, And walked home with you
that day. hadn't intended it, truly.
but We were talking about your pupils.
you know and the idea occurred to me.
and couldn't help it. Don't be an
cry. [ did accomplish it, you see. We
do know each other. What's the odds,
dear n
You've made me perfectly ridicu-
lous !" Lefty sobbed.
If she had heard his last adjective,
she ignored it,
No, no-Pve been careful not to i
Nobody knows it--not u soul. That's
why | didn't 90 to the rehearsal the
Taylors know | can play. you see"
lie did his best TO s!ihe laugh, but
his teacher was laughing, too. through
her tears. The vision Of the tall pupil,
laboring through 'Little Katy's First
Waltz" evercame her.
"You ought to be ashamed of your
self! !' she cried, laughing and crying
together, somewhat hysterically.
III AMI am v' said Raymond. "I'm
ashamed, but | am not sorry. Why. |
might not have known you yet it | had
not"
Then he paused, palpitatingly.
"What duets we'll have when we're
married, dear ~ he said softly.
"What will your mother say 7" said
Lefty. gasping with bcwildered joy.
"Say? She'll say I've got the sweet
est girl in the world. She hasn't any
ridiculous notions, and besides, she'll
never think of denying me anything |
want"
IL .uiILnr I'D ahl.