Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-02-21


"Iho tender constitution of your daughter
was not equal to the strain of the evening.
A blood vessel has been raptured. She can,
pcrhats, be well again. but she can sing no
more"
With cry that was hardly human Hab-
ermann sank by her side
The next day, papers contained long, eNag-
geratcd accounts of the affair; young
singer till then unknown, had appeared, and
| by her lovelincss of person, as well as her I'M
parallcled singing, had won all hearts; but
while the applause stll rang through tho
! hall. she had fallen behind the scenes, pur-
chasing success with her hearts blood.
! For some dnys after the concert the unfor-
tunae singer was much talked of; then other
matters came M, and She was forgotten
Troubous days followed for Ncodemus.
| There were times when Elfricda seemed to
! he recovering when she could laugh and
! jote-but those moments of light pade the
night that followed all the darker. We lung
disease made rapid progress. They had
moved far out into one of the suburbs Of the
city, that she might have the benefit OF purer
air, for journey to the south was beyond
his means however much he might econo-
mize.
For the last few days She had been worse,
and that was the cause of her fathers late
|
seemed to him, with its endless repeti,ions!
If it would only end, 50 he could 20 home!
At last the curtain fell for the last time,
and Hahermanu rushed out a, he had rushed
in, rs If fearful some one would restrain INN.
Through the wide open portal poured a thick
blacl, stream Of humanity, laughing and
TALKING about the magnicence of the pres
entation Coacmnen were crying; pedeS-
triaus hurrying. and the snowilakeS twlrled
down without intermissiOn through the misty
air, covering the street with smuttN, gray
pulp.
Pushing through the crowd, every moment
in danger Of falling under carriage wheels,
hurried Habermann with his violin under his
arm. Turning into a q1ieter street. where
the snow kept more of its whiteness, he pressed
his hat more firmly upon his head, drew the
skirt, OF his coat under his arm, and walked
| n, fast as the moist snow would allow. The
pas-,rs by looked after the curious figure, and
many snowbalis flew about his ears, but 1t
did not trouble him; he only rushed forward,
forward
on by the great factory whose tall chin
ney reared ghostllke into the night; by the
churchyari whose white crosses and monu-
ments seemed signaling to him OF the uncer-
tainty of all earthly things; by far man
sions with their carefully trimmed yards; out
bN Jhe IalIIOid per AZ I"N'' pu4t' -
hausted, he stopped before an oid MOUSE
With trembling hands he opened the heaVy
gate, then went through the long uark y'ru'
to tine little garden house whore he dWclt
. A middle aged woman, with pleasant though
coarse features and sleepy eyes, met him in
: the entry
60 am glad you have come. Elfrieda
, has asked after you 50 many urnes!'
l GLOW is shcN he asked, eagerly.
, "She mas been sleepln9 loT niue Whi .,;
Try and not wake her. Good night VIII
> lie down now"
She had the door latch IN her hand, put
turned again
"lf-lt-anythlng happens she sala hesl-
tatingly, "call me.
As she disappeared lianernl"''ii looAe'' 'ite'
her, shaking his head. 'She is queer woman.
! hat does she think can happen
He pulled of his wet coat and boots pun
on an old dressing gown whose many colored
patches gave it the appearance OF a map and
. pushed his feet into a pair Of felt slippers
. then opening the door carefully, he stepped
to the bedside OF me SICK girl
u She was still lovely. Her blonde hair sur
rounded her head like a haI", but her lace
was white, white as the men OF her bed
y With an expression OF unutterahle tenderness
% he looked down upon her' her preath CANT
y. quick and short. Opening hef eyes si'
", stretched her arms up to him.
Q "lm so glad you have come, she SAID, n
he kissed her upon the forehead
: But shall have to scoId you tha' You 20
l. not sleep Truly, you give your papa a grea
a deal of troube;' but the tones oi MS voice
II gave the lie to hls words.
II She stroked tenderly nis knotty hand, an'
d looking up said: "Can not talk lttIe WIN
II my dear papa! Come, SIT mere anu Jtt III
e about the new presentation.
IT, ION, my dear child, what Is there to tell
VI You know care nothing for that nonsense
my thoughts were with you"
le she made no answer, but soon alter, LOOK
ut ing up suddenly, said:
D. Papa, | wish you would play Tor me upol
III your violin"
N 'Oh, child, you must not think of it. |
VI would excite you, and the doctor sad yo
d. must be perfectly quiet
Fl But feel 50 well today-so lght-bette
H. than have for long, long time
re ts1'rulv2' lis whole face lighted Ut