Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-11-07

Would she never conner An, the door
opened and forth she tripped, holding
her skirts out of the mud and uttering
an impatient little exclamation as she
felt the raindrops upon her face.
Gracefully, and with Difference Albert
handed her into the carriage.
HIS own foot was on the step when
hand was laid lightly on his shoulder,
and, turning, he saw a tall man of
slight but elegant build. carrying a
violin case in his hand The intruder
simply said, ''wait, " IN a calm. quiet
tone, and then addressed himself to the
occupant of the carriage. Too much
astonIshed for a moment to resent the
intrusion, the younger man could only
look on and listen in amazement.
Little one," said Otto, earnestly
and tenderly, taking a trembling little
hand In his own, "by thy friendship to
me, and by the duty thou owest to thy
conscience and to thy God, 1 charge
thee leave this mans company now and
forever. L, myself, will see thee safe TO
thy home"
In Flora's face there was amazement
and sorrow, but no anger. "Why,
Otto," she began; but the young man
behind them had recovered from his
surprise and advanced hastily. a great
anger cleaning from his handsome
eyes.
''Out OF my way, you," he cried,
roughly, aud then, perceiyIng by the
proud way in which the intruder drew
himself up that he was addressing a
gentleman, he added, passionately: s'By
what right, sir, do you dare to interfere
herel"
by the right of a Just man to
thwart a villain" answered Otto, his
own temper rising. Young man,
thou hast a wife, go to her say"
The youths face grew livld. He
saw the girl in the carriage cover her
face with her hands and make move
ment as though to leap from his car
Tiage. "D-nationl" he shouted, stake
that for your meddlingl' He raised
heavy walking stick that he carried and
struck Otto squarely upon the forehead.
The heavy-silver head inflicted an ugly
wound, from which the blood flowed
freely. For an instant Otto was dsZed
but as his enemy's stick was raised for
another cruel blow, he lifted his violin
case, his only weapon, IN both hands,
and brought it down upon his assail-
ants head. The blow was badly aimed.
or it must have killed him. As it was,
1t glanced of and the case came yio-
discovered the priceless violin, broken
sluarely in twol
Otto gazed stupidity at the wreck for
a single moment and then fell senseleSs
beside his shattered instrument, the
blood still issuing from the ghaStly
wound in his head.
1t all seemed to have happened In an
instant. The men and women who
rushed from the door, startled Icy "A
succession OF sharp, agoniZed shrieks,
saw carriage driving rapidly away
and man lying Frustrated on the
muddy sidewalk, his head IN the lap of
the little dancing girl, who stroye at
once to staunch the blood with her
handkerchief and to call Otto back to
life by every Iender and endearing
1t was five days before he could
recognize anyone. aud the first face that
he knew was Flora's. She had rarely
left his side except to go to the theater
and then she had to be almost forced
there. Two days after that az she en-
tered softly i'll the early afternoon.
thinking him asleep, she discovered
that he had been weeping, for there
were tears on his cheeks and III his
eyes.
She knelt beside the bed and touched
his cheek with her hand ''Why do
YOU cry, Ottor" she ask ed. very softly.
He was silent for moment, and
then answered, ~ weep, little one,
first because l am weas, and next be-
cause my violin is broken.T
Then, Otto" she persisted, breath
lessly, ''you need not weep. because
you will soon be strong again. and be-
| cause GiacomO. the little, ugly celloist,
has mended your violin and says when
| YOU play on it again no one Will ever
/ know Il was broken.
Still silence, and then as she saw that
no Joy came into his eyes even yet,
great gladness sprang into her own
| Lower, lower sank the bright head
/ until her cheek almost touched his.
"Ottc," whispered she, breathlessly.
dear Otto, is there anything else that
makes you weep?"
HIS head turned sharply upon the
pillow. Brown eyes gazed long and
/ earnestly into black
"FIora-lieoe FloraP'
"Otto-dAIlingi'
The violin had trIumphed after ali.