, 1889-01-31

and as bald az an ancient American eagle
| would 60 out as cook or house. mai /
first. Yes. Julia, IL the choice we're giver
me Of marrying that man or digging m,
own grave with the unders landing that /
was to jump into 1t when II was compet.
ed. | would choose the latter slternative
with gratitude"
"And you wish me to understand tha.
you will not play for one Of my parties
again unless you are paid for itp"
Mrs. yGrenman's hand was on the knob
| OF the door as she asked this question.
II wish you to understand that do not
regard your old velvet and silk gowns - q
fair equivalent for my service as chief mu.
sician," said Miss AnnAbel. "And also
that not only believe With the bible that
the labcrer 10 worthy Of his hire, but that
labor 10 eminently respectable"
The departing guests twist Of the door.
knob was nothing leAs than vicious. Flor
ence, who knew her sister perfectly, IN.
derstood that the breach between them
now would be . hard one TO bridge. Work
was degradation In the opinion CT her
80 to her There were two ways in which
she knew che could earn generous sup.
port. One was by her musical talent, and
the other by her wonderful taste and
ability in designing costumes.
at is too wicked TO keep you at the
piano, Miss Annable, when We all know
you are 10 fond Of dancing, but no one
plays rs you do" her friends were con.
stantly saying.
Nov, why. she asked herself, with this
available talent In her possession, should
she not earn some money, and in 40 busi-
ness.like and ''open and above board"
manner ~ mon earned itp Miss Annabls
was unable TO see why she should be idle
and wear her listers cast-oh clothes any
more than the young man who had . room
across the corridor, should be idle and
wear his rich brothers rags and jags. ="
This question Of the utilization Of talent
bad beea logically met and 'stsled . good
way of putting her theories into practice
had aimed high and brought down their
game. Il was NO more than fair that che
should do the same, her relatives had frs-
quently told her, instead Of occupying the
fourth story back In crowded boarding.
house, and making them world OF trou-
BILE in explaining and excusing her anoma-
lous position. The frequent assertions
that sister Florence was exceeding
ly peculiar and could noe be induced
to make home with either Of her rela.
tives were true in the main. Miss Anna
BILE could have made herself useful in
either OF these establishments, but her lib
erty was far too precious to jeopardize by
any such arrangement. Here in this sky
parlor, certain hours OF each day were her
own. her very own.
A few hours later Miss Aunable was
driving in the park with some friends.
She passed both Of her sisters, and their
recognition, though salcslated 10 deceive
her companions, vas we'll understood by
her. Julia had communicated With
Blanche, and they had both shown their
displeasure in ~ marked . manner ~
lee eonvenances would permit. This re-
calcitrant member OF this axistocratic
family WAS to be brought TO terms. Flor.
ence Annable smiled ~ she thelght Of it.
Clarke Durivsge rode along BY the side
Of the lAndas and chasted with the young
ladies. For the frst time since Florence
had decided not TO wear any more cast
o6s" her courage failed her. She felt IL
to be sad and humiliAtinR truth that she
cared more for this man's good opinion
think that che was quite Independent Of
remark or criticism srom any other quar-.
ter filled her with confusion and alarm.
Mr.. Durivage had been the only man she
had met in society who had talked to her
as il she were possessed Of An equal intel.
lect
Miss Annable canvassed the subject
very thoroughly in these few minutes
Her scorn ofh er own weakness ~ shown
by the presence of this man acted like q
spur to her conscience.
THE die is cast, "she told hsrself,as Mr..
Durivage bade her good evening. II will
not wear jags, and so must play jigs."
The young lady did not estimate her
musical talent at its true value. It WAS
more strictly speaking a case Of genius.
She could play the works OF the most ia.
nous composers, and with power and
expression which delighted the most crit
ical. And 80 1t came to pass that Miss
Florence Annable was engaged at regular
professional prices to play for party at
the house of the wealthy and distin n9usshed
Mrs. Van Cortlsndt. Her sisters we're
both present, but neither Of them came
near her during the evening, aAd in this
way the world found out there had been a
quarrel.
"Good.eveniug. Miss Florence"
"Good evening, Mr.. Durivage."
1T Is rather singular there 10 no one
here to play but you, the gentleman re.
marked. "I have been waiting a hall
hour to invite you to waltz"
1T Is not in the least singular, Mr.
Durivage," said the musician, smilinG
heroically. "for | am regularly employed
to play for Mrs. Van Cortland's guest,
this evening"
The plunge was made, the worst wal
over, aad Florence felt that she could
look herself squarely in tho face when the
evening was over,
"Aud you-you have. struck out In thi,
way for yourselfp"
There was q strange quality in the
gentlelnan's voice that his companion did
not understand.
"struck out?" Miss Annable lauQhingly
answered. That's good phrase. 1t re.
quires muscle, l assure you"