Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-07-24

that the villa belonged to NJ Valen-
court. a Paris gentleman, who had
bought it for his daughter Madelaine,
"a poor young lady who seemed to be
an invalid
That evening Henry did not speak
of returning TO the park, but as was
seldom his custom, be carried his vio-
lin. That day and for many that fol-
lowed NJ Nay and son passed their
evenings by the sea.
Suppose we 60 TO the woods this
evening, said the father one .norning.
The walk is short and we can return
earlier. The nights are becoming very
COOL
The young man, repressing his de-
light, answered indifferently, as you
wish, father
AS they approached the vile, Mad
elaine, as was her custom before retir-
ing, was seated alone in her room at
the piano. She was playing The
Elegy' of Ernst Henry put his violin
in position and stood trembling with
agitation. Then he answered the mel.
ody like a sweet echo. Madelaine
sprang up in delighted surprise. Then,
blushing with vexation, she thought,
some one is watching me- and closed
the window quickly.
The plaintive echo died away. An
instant afterward the young girl, part
ing the curtainn, tried to penetrate
the obscurity that enveloped the park,
but saw nothing.
Henry Nay returned, angry with
himself for having disturbed the soli--
tude of another. However, for sever.
al succeeding evenings he could not
resist the temptation to commit the
same offense. and in his inspired i'm
provisations he tiied to express his
penitence for the act, and also the
feelings that constrained him to COM
nit it.
But the most profound silence reign,
ed in the villa. This obstinate still
nees filled him with despair. No
need to hope, he thought one day.
She is mortally offended. Yet /
will go again this evening, and then ]
shall leave this country
How long the hours seemed that
day. The instant 1t was time for the
walk, he dragged his father towrad
the park. Henry, after brief pre-
lude, commenced The Elegy' of Ernst.
The melody shat he had played the
first time was to be his adieu. The
notes, sonoreus and plaintive, fell
upon the silence of sleeping Nature,
which failed to respond in note of
wakened bird or echo from the rocky
glen.
Suddenly, he trembled violently and
the bow nearly fell from his hand. The
sounds of the piano blended first tim
idly, then more confidently with those
of the violin. 1t was Madelaine, who
embodied, little by little, played the
accomL animent to The Elegy.' The
duet would have been prolonged all
night but for the intervention of M
Nay, who insisted on Henry's return
ing.
During the homewari walk the
young man was silent and grave, and
he bade his father good night with a
voice sadder than usual. AS the old
man left the room, Henry called Faith
er.'
what do you wish, my son?'
Nothing, until tomorrow
The blind musician was beside him
self with joy. He did not sleep that
night, and during the hours thatinter-
vened until morning, he called up
memories of his childhood to gain an
idea of where Madelalne dwelt and of
how she looked. Was she like other
young girls? Now he saw her blonde
and willowy, light as air; now dard,
with sculptured profile and eyes OF
fame. The idea never occurred to
him that she was not beautiful
The next day when M Nay entered
the room. Henry exclaimed: Father,
l have come to a decision. Write to |
DR.. Desmanes.'
Have you reflected we'll, said the
old man turning pale.
There is a risk to run, answered
Henry, but what greater misfortune
can befall me than that which l now
suffer? have considered we'll and l |
wish to undergo the operation.
M Nay telegraphed Immediately to
the doctor, and In two days the young
and celebrated occulist arrived in
Mention.
When shall 1 see, doctor? asked
Henry.
In eight days. In the meantime
you must remain shut up, in your
room in silence, darkness and the
most absolute repose, but after this
After this can see Madelaine'--|
thought Henry, without hearing the
end of the doctors sentence.
That evening and the following one
Madelaine waited in vain for the un-
known musician. The third day she
became sad. Had he whose soul
seemed to dwell SO neal her own aban-
ioned her? The consumption of |