Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-05-23

\\VN starts only that he
~ s sasp Bssau. and he s ~as sa.
sociable, and the habits
of the recluse grew upon him, and
each year of the ten he had lived alone
in the modest fiat in Mordicam Man
sions he had withdrawn more and
more from society, and the few friends
who really loved and admired him were
sad at heart, for the clever doctor was
only just forty, and his dark hair ought
not to be turning gray so rapidly; and
there was look in his beautiful, keen
eyes sometimes that made sentimental
women, when they caught it, which was
not often, say he had "a story"
And so he had, but the book wherein
il was written down was closed and put
away ten years ago, before he became
famous-before he came to Mordicamp
Mansions. One or two old friends, such
as Tom Teesdale and his wife, knew the
story, and willingly would they have
written the chapter, which was still un-
told, in their own way. But the doctor
stoutly declared that it would never be
written-while he lived-and what could
the kindest friend do or say but just lis
ten to him and submits
When the story began, as stories so
often do, with tender and even roman
tic love passage, Marmaduke Gray had
not reached the professors chair which
he now so ably filled, but it was well
known that honors and distinctions were
before him. Indeed, for his age he was
one of the most gifted among many able
compeers, and a most delightful COM
panion if only you could get him away
from his microscope and his specimens,
wet and dry-living and dead. He was
Just on the point of pelfecting the de
auctions made from the discoveries that
followed the patient labor of years chow
his fine eyes sparkled and how the words
poured from his eloquent lips as he
talked of his workD, when the fiat above
hisown was let, and every nerve quivered
when he heard piano-tuner at work in
the room over his study.
For days and days, before the pro-
lessor spoke Of his grievance, the Tees
dales knew that something had gone
wrong.
Then it all came out bit by bit, and it
had TO do with the tenant on the third
floor.
''She plays the piano from morning
till night, he said, one evening as he
walked up and down Mrs. Teesdales
drawing-room. 1t was then about s
o'clock.
"But with padded ceiling surely the
sound is mufflcds"
Intensified, you mean The padding
is a fraud Why did she take that
fiat Z" and the professors long slender
fingers routed up his hair. 1t was crop
ped close, so he could not do much
harm.
s'You are sure it is a woman9"
Eyes. Tread her name on the indica-
cor in the hall-Mrs. Vernon. And she
is always at home"
Silence for few seconds, then he adj
ded, with funny little break in his
voice-not the sort of sound one would
expect from q professor: al should not |
mind so much if she did not play her |
music. 1t seems like retribution that |
should be condemned to listen to it |
every day, and yet not-not from-Mar-
gerry"
Mr.. and Mrs Tcesdale exchanged a
rapid glance. 1t was the first time the
professor had uttered that name for
years.
ssHow l used to abominate Chopin and
all his works !" the clear voice with now
n pathetic note in it, went on, and the
professors eyes sparkled almost as if
they were wet. As he reached the far
end of the room in his walk he was seen
TO take out his handkerchief, but when
he passed once more into the circle OF
Light the man Of science was himself
again.
81 am not going to bear it much long
err" he said, in cool, matter-of fact
tone. eff she insists upon playing all
day long / must move. Fancy being
oriven from comfortable home by
tinkling piano -
'Do not be in a hurry. You viii get
accustomed to il in time"
Accustomed !" The professor was
getting cross. Il have done my best,
Mrs. Teesdale smiled; she knew what
his best was. II set my viii to work to
force myself not to listen, and might
have succeeded il"
elf she had not played like Margery."
The professor started as if he had
been struck by bullet. "You must
not speak Of heri" he cried out.
"But you said her name yourself this
you inconsistent mortal -
Every likely; but that is no reason
for surprising that can bear It irmn
you
but ron ought to bear it: and what
y more, you ought to put an end TO tins !