Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-02-03
CHAPTER VII.
TIE MUSICAL SUNNY

seemingly studied, but gracefully expNSSed.
and sufficient TO put the guests in the best
humor. Mrs. NorcroSS, less demonstrative in
manner than her SSter-in- law and less brilliant
in conversation and personal attractions, was
yet a most winning, lovable womau-a com.
panion for a summer ramhle or a quiet tete.
a-tete, rather than belle for a drawing
room. MIR. NorcroSS was calmly conscious
full of subdued spirits, cheerful and ready
with all sorts of pleasant phrases 1t is not
often that one sees such a manly. robust
figure, such a Handsome, ingenious face. and
such an air of agreeable repose Palette
was present. retiring as usual but with am
acute eye that lost nothing while it seemed to
be observing nothing. Oakhurst was decid
eddy the lion. 1t was not merely his grace
full person and regular features that drew
sdmiring glances upon him; the charm Law
rather i'll the atmosphere of intellect
that surrounded him. His conversation,
though by no means faultleSS, was marked
| by an energy of phrase joined TO
an almost womanly delicacy and taste. His
was the "hand of steel, but clothed with the
"glove of velvet Palette followed him with
a look half stealthy, half comical, as he saw
the unusual vivacity of the reignng beauty
when in his immediate society Her voice
took instinctively softer and more musical
tone; she showered her glances upon him.
dazzling and priSnatic as the rays from her
diamonds; she seemed determined to carti-
vate him without the tedious process of a
siege. And i'll truth, he must have been an
unimpreSslble man that could steel himself
against the influence of a woman who salts
fed every critical sense, who piqued all his
pride, who stimulated all that was most
manly i'll his nature, and without apparent
| effort filed his bosom with an exquisite in
| tOXication.
| The music commenced under Irene'S direc-
ton. There were piano solos that were not
tedious-full of melody and feeling, and with
few of the pyrotechncal displays which are
| too common in modern virtuoso- playing;
vocal duets and quartets from the Italian
operas, and from German masterpieces; and
solos, if not equal to the efforts of profess
sional singers, highly creditable to amateurs.
to say the least. The auditors were enthu-
siastic in praise. Even George, who came in
| late, declared the music "Newy good, upon
my soul-surpwizingN good"
Oakhurst was listening to Irene with "a
pleased smile on his face, when Mr. Norcross
| approached and interrupted them.
| you are proficient i'll more than one art
see. You paint as well as though you knew
nothing of music, and yet you sing like
man who las made it an exclusive study"
Oakhurst simply bowed.
allow do you come on with the pictureP
| Mr. NorcroSs continued
Every well, believe"
my dear Sir, make haste and finish it,
81 thought you were not in a hurry"
mot in the least, my friend; but when YOU
get that finished, you can paint others, which
can probably dispose of for you"
"You are very kind"
~ am a business man." said Norcross, in a
! lower Tone at which Irene withdrew "Ths
arts fare badly in time of money panic, and
all the pictures you can sell now will be clear
| gain"
"Are there signs of panlci"
"Decidedly; the rates of interest are adj
vancing daily, and no one knows where it
will end. Unless there is some relief in the
market by Western remittances. the distress
| will be widespread and severe"
81 am obliged to you for the hint have
two or three pictures nearly done"
q will look at them in a day or two, and
| try to find you purchasers"
Oakhurst expressed his thanks warmly,
and then walked toward Mrs. NOrcross who
was sitting alone at that moment.
| "There is no knowing what Irene may do"
thought Norcross; 81 have never seen her
when she appeared so much in eaTnest-in-
| fatuated like a candle-fy. | hope she won't
! be fool enough to marry a man without
money. These artists are poor sheep; they
have to be taken care Of like so many child
ren. At all events, it won't cost much to
keep him at work for the present Meta
while she may change her mind"
| Oakhurst was soon engaged in conversation
with Mrs Norcross She had too much del
! icacy to flatter him upon his singing, but
| naturally turned the current toward his art.
| Without depreciating his efforts or the ex-
ample of deservdly eminent American
painters she spoke with more emphasis of
the acknowledged masters; and as she dwelt
with unaffected enthusiasm upon the delight
she had received from their immortal works,
his old desire to visit Europe came upon him
with redoubled force There was
calm strength in her thoughts and man
ner that moved him strangely. He saw
in a new light his thoughtless devotion
to pleasure, and especially the fool
ish fascination into which he had been led by
q woman whom he could not marry and
ought not to love. Mrs. Norcross did not ex-
| hort, nor even advise; least of all did she al
| lude to her sister-in-law. Hers was only the
! influence of truth-of broad ideas of life and
its noblest ends presented with simplicity and
a womanly tact above all art. 1t seemed to
| Oakhurst the voice Of an angel that he heard
so promptly did his conscience respond. He
listened with heightened color and tense
nerves; the delicious languor of amatory
music, and the delirium he had felt while I'M
der the spell of hene's beauty passed away.
| 1t seemed to him that he was lifted into a
higher plane, whence he saw before him the
straight path of duty, leading away from the
tempting gardens of pleasUre-wbere he re-
cognized immutable principles, and became
conscious that his true affinities were not
with those who came in contact only with his
sensuous nature. He had never understood
himself until now.
A long meditation, the reader thinks; but,
In reality, it was only an electric current,
awakening a series Of related thoughts; as
fash of lightning at night illumines at once a
crowd OF objects in a landscape. which the
MINI perceives but cannot follow in detail
When, at length, Oakhurst looked up, he
was astonished TO find the room silent, and
himself with bis companions in the focus of
all eyes. Irene looked on with curiosity in
which there was perhaps a shade OF appre-
hension. Palette relieved the momentary
embarrassment by walking toward his
friend. with meaning glance, and taking a
seat near Mrs. Norcross
81 can't allow this" said Palette. "You
have had your share Of Mrs. Norcross' time.
It Is nv turn. Besides, you will forget it all
when you cross the room"
Trust me, shall never forget said Oak
hurst. with a marked emphasis and q CRATE
f2l look toward the lovely widow.
SWhat's tbisf What's thisF said Palette,
rapidly. Insatiate triier, could not one
sufhceF
aOh. we understand each other perfectly"
said Mrs- Norcross, in placid tone
SYou do, sbi / should have interrupted
you sooner. IL might have saved my peace |
Of mind, and perhaps relieved some other |
anxieties 1 have witnessed But go nowT
Oakhurst turned away with smile.
Irene at once proposed a duet 70 conclude
the observation-disclosures Mira blanca /
luna piece for which she had reserved her |
force, and in which she could display the best
qualities Of her voice and style. Oakhurst
bad high and pure tenor voice; he eIersed
.zzse1 70 support her, and with some sue
oss; the duet was fitting close to q delight
full and informal concert. But he was thor
oughly sobered: the effects he produced were |
from cool deliberation, rather than the out |
bursts Of an enthusiastic temper. Earlier in |