Cherokee scout. [volume] (Murphy, N.C.) 188?-1961, 1890-10-21

most valuable assistant, being gifted
with extraordinary intelligence. He has
not neglected his musical talent, and has
had the best instruction.
''Do you know, my boy" said his
uncle, s'that you will some day be a great
composer, our pride and glory2"
"My only glory" replied 1ucicn,
softly, sis in knowing that Clairette is
pleased with me-"
He speaks the truth, poor fellow; hia
whole happiness in life depends upon
cousins smile.
She too, the petted sensitive chill
now grown up, and has become
woman. She loves her cousin With
sincere affection, and prefers to all Dncr
music the air he played for her when
first they met, so that in the family the
melody Is always called "Clairette's
Song" 1t is composition worthy of a
master-musician, and since drying the
child's tears, has become the souvenir Of
her earliest joys.
What happened next was inevitable.
One day Lucieu acknowledged to him
self that he loved Charlotte, and called
himself a fool for daring to raise his eyes
to the daughter of his benefactoT.l True,
she was his cousin, but how could he,
the poor hunch-back, hope to marry the
beautiful blooming girl2 He concealed
his grief within his heart, and the violin,
his only confdant, wept and spbbed for
his hopeless love.
Claire Langelot, gentle, affectionate
girl, treated Lucien as her dearest friend
and counselor, confdlng to him her in
most thoughts. One day she artlessly
told him of her love for Raoul Darboz,
and then in sudden burst of happiness,
exclaimed:
"Here, Lucien, take your violin and
play C!airette's Song for me!'
All, what bitter irony that wasl The
instrument was forced to sing her happy
love, under his E1artyred fingers!
A little later, Raoul and Claire were
married. Lucien played the wedding
march. 1t was his own composition, and
all through the music mystic strain was
interviewer by the masters skill, and
filed the vaulted edifce with its tender
melody.
The bride started when she recognized
her favorite air.
"Poor dear cousin" she thought, ''it
is all for me that he is playing"
At the wedding breakfast they awaited
the musician, impatient to congratulate
him on his new composition, but he did
not appear.
can artists CAPRICE" said Uncle
Langelot. "I'll wager that he is busy
writing out his latest improvisation"
Clairie was grieved at Lucien's alb
sence, but that evening she and her hus'
band set out for Fortainebleau, which
was the first stopping place OF their we'd
ding tour.
On arriving at the hotel near the grand
old forest, the young bride sat looking
out of the window to enjoy the view and
the scent of the fir trees.
Night fell, calm and quiet, the trees
were rustled by the caresses of the
breeze, a sweet perfume came from the
forest, and the only sound was soft in
defnable murmur that seemed like the
breathing Of nature.
Claire turned to Raoul, saying:
s'Do you know,H am anxious about
Lueien. go may DE i'll. / did not sec
GnNeven to say dpod-bJe
VIf clasped hex in his aims as he re-
Piled With loves jealousy:
"Forget him and every one, my wife,
all your thoughts now belong to me,
and beneath the blue sky where the
golden stars were sparkling, she forgot
all else in the embrace of him to whom
she had given her heart.
Suddenly there arose on the still night
air a soft strain of music that sounded
like sigh, Iamcntation, and Claire,
reused from her ecstacy of love cx-
claimed:
''Hark! That is Clairettes Song.
Dear Luciea I know that he has come to
celebrate my happiness, to play for me
on my wedding might. But, ali, now
sad the music sounds"
"You are dreaming my love-" said
Raoul, as he closed the window, 81 did
not hear any music"
She listened again, but the silence was
unbroken and once moro she forgot
everything but her love.
At dawn the next day, in pathway
| near the hotel there was found lying
across his broken violin, the dead body
of Lucien Langelot. The brief lament
OF unspoken hopeless love had foated ur
for moment to the young brides ear,
but the last chord from Lucien's violin
had awakened only the birds of the for,
rest.--Ihe Epoch.