Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-09


moth for the star" was the undertone of
every note, and so strangely did IL af-
feet me that tears trickled down my
cheeks as played.
All Of a sudden l was conscious Of a
human eye piercing me through and
thrG9gh. ,ccoosse3 in the dress circle
and on the front row OF seats dark
eyed, gray bearded man was contem-
plating me with look in which wonder
and fear we're so blended that | caught
something OF each. In the midst Of
the most delicate and tender movement
OF the piece my hands were violently
lifted up at my throat and then dashed
down so violently on the keys that
heard the strings OF the piano snap, and
heard and saw nothing more until [
awoke to consciousness in the green
room on Ivans' knee, Skab standing
over me wringing his hands and swear
ing like a.trooper.
Finding that | had only been out n
| moment insisted on going back, for to
tell the truth | was in an agony, fearing
that my power had left me.
Such, however, was not the case. The
ghostly hands still exercised their sway
and l finished the concert. Once
lifted my eyes to the dress circle, but
the man l mad seen had left his seat.
1t appeared to met may have been
fancy, but it certainly seemed to me-
that the cold fingers on mine trembled,
and that the execution was not as vigor-
GUS as usual.
Next morning, about 10, visitor to
see me was announced. l told the bell
boy to usher him into my apartment,
and so fully convinced was of who the
visitor was that my pulse did not beat
one whit the faster, and l was cool and
collected when the man whose glance
had terrified me so the night before
came into my room.
After the usual civilities, a kind in
quiry after my health and few compli-
ments on my matchless playing, as he
styled it, the stranger, begging my par
don for what might seem an imperti-
nent query, asked me if l had ever
taken lessons from or known Rudolph
Aronsonheim. l answered promptly
and truthfully that not only had never
known him, but that then for the first
time heard the name
"Strauge, sir" said my visitor, half
musingly, strange. Your touch, your
execution, everything about your play
ing, even down to your rather peculiar
lingering, is Aronsonheim's in every
respect. And stranger still, that beau
tiful concert piece you played was writ
ten by him. l never knew that anyone
but myself had even so much as seen
the score. l have 1t with me, It is un-
finished and ends in a confused scratch
ing Of pencil marks just where you
were so unfortunate as to faint last
night"
AS he spoke he drew several stained
pieces of music paper from his pocket
and extended his hand, holding them
toward me.
"You must excuse the dirty appear
ance of the Sheets" said he in the same
musing tone of voice. "The poor fell
low cut his throat just before he finished
the score, and that is his life blood on
the paper"
Gracious God!" exclaimed, starting
from my seat and waving back the ac-
cursed music. 81 tell you never heard
of him before. Where l learned that
horrible music | do not know. l said it
was original only because l could not
locate it. Take it away from me-"
Pardon me- said the stranger,
rising, 81 fear have been impertin-
ent," and he started as if to go.
interrupted him.
"Pardon me,' replied, "or rather
my vehemence, shall not, l cannot,
permit you to leave without giving me
fortunate man, whose music l seem un-
Willingly to have appropriated"
with pleasure, SIR" he replied, ''if
it can be pleasure to rehearse even in
a few words so melancholy history"
Seating himself he went on:-
"Aronsonheim was born in Bavaria,
educated in Munich. Before he was
sixteen he was considered one of the
finest pianists in Germany. Allured by
fattering hopes held out to him by
relatives in this country, he came to
New York and gave few concerts. He
was very unfortunate in his selections;
for he had an insane admiration for
early Italian and German masters and
would play their compositions. Grand
as they are to the true musician they
were caviare to the general.
"Aronsonheim earned applause and
admir- alton from artists, but the public
only came to hear him once or twice.
Chagrined and heartsick he came to
my native town with letters to me and
boarded in my house. In months
time he was desperately in love with
the most beautiful and bewitching girl
in our village, the daughter Of a
wealthy manufacturer there. An hon
cllned to tell his love to the girl until
he had the parents permission, and
with frank manliness that deserved
at least recognition he went to her
father asking leave to address the
daughter, who he believed was not in
different to him.
"The usual result followed. Cursed
as beggarly 'Dutchman,' he was Or
dered out of the house, forbidden to
speak to the woman he loved, and in
suited as only snob can insult a seusi-
tive soul.
81 met him at the door. His face
was so pale it frightened me. He
rushed by me into his room, locked
himsslf up there for day and then
came out a broken man.
''He tried for week to get a single
word with his love. He was denied ad-
mittance. The letters he wrote were
returned unopened. He believed, 1
know not why, that the young woman
loved him and would leap all barriers
and fly with him, could he only tell her
of his love; but no opportunity was af
forded him to see her.
"At last he conti1ed to me his scheme:
Il will give concert. / know she
will come. / will play her Gluck's
tOrfao - I will plav har eoma of ploy-