The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1890-02-20

itself with afty miles Of barbod
wire fencing were not further environed
By pack Of watch dogs Of the most ap-
proved and belligerent breed Oncs
having passed the distant barrier Of that
gate on the Monso, however, his way
was unimpeded. and, 10 all appearance.
utterly unmarried; he had arrived with
IN dfty yards Of the foremost building,
he homestead. before he was brought to
\ halt Then he stopped short. sur
prised, half crodulous, and ell attention,
listening b the concord Of sweet
rounds" that came floating from the
open easement somewhere along the ooast
front Of the big, gloomy house
Zone part OF the story verified, By
Jovei lt'S . piano-and well played.
too"
Full q minute he stood there listening.
Perry was q dancer. whose nimblO feet
moved blithely 10 any measured. Fhyth-
mical strains. and . soldier whose soul
was stirred By martial music, but With
Chopin and MendelsSohn, Bach and
RubenStein. he had but slight aoquaint-
anca That any one should b0 playing
Q piano here on the borders Of the Dano
Estacado was In. itself sufficient cause
for wonderment; that the invisible per.
former was playing-and playing with
exquisite taste and feellng-ons Of the
loveliest Of the "LiedeF ohnO WoEts,"
tho Spring Song" was fact that con-
veyed no added astonishment 10 his soul;
he never knew it until one sweet night
long after.
However, matters more pressing than
music demanded Mr.. Rsrry's attention
Just her0 he had reached Dunraven,
after all Neither dog nor man had
challenged Once within those barbed
and frowning barriers, all the encircling
objects spoke Of security and rest Far
away towards the corrals he heard the
sound Of voices In Jolly conversation; o
rich. melodiouS laugh rang out on the
cool evening air; be heard some one
shouting genial good night to somebody
else, and then the slam Of distant door.
Presently . Light popped out from q
window In what he believed 10 bo o
storehouse, and eli was still again. Even
the piano had ceased Now was his
time. thought Perry; and %, boldly
mounting the steps, he stood upon Q
dark portioo and strobe to the black
shadow In the wall before him where he
knew the main doorway must ba. Il
was his intention to knock or ring. Up
stairs dim lights were shining through
the open windows, but on this front Of
the ground floor all was darkness His
gauntleted hand felt all tho face Of the
door In search Of Q knob or knocker, but
nothing Of the kind was there; neither
was there such Q thing on either door
post Just as he decided to hammer
with his clinched fst the piano began
again.
he waited for . pause. but none came.
This time the music was vehement and
spirited, and no banging Of his on oaken
doorway would be audible against such
rivalry. Uncertain what to do, he con-
cluded 10 reconnoiter the eastern front
A few steps brought him 10 the corner,
and there lay the veranda before him,
bathed at lts farther end In Q food Of
light that streamed from one opened
venetian window, and through this cur.
tanned aperture poured the grand tones
Of the melody. THAT fellow can rattle
more music out Of . piano than any man
I ever heard" muttered Mr.. Perry to
himself, - he strobe down tho wooden
gallery. "Wonder II it's that boss COW
puncher ! met this morning." Another
moment and he stood at the open win
dow, rooted 10 the spot, and with bis
frank blue eyes fairly starting from their
sockets In amazemsnt at the slght that
met them, all unprepared.
Across spacious room, hung with rich
curtains, carpeted with costly rugs Of
Oriental make, fufnlShed with many Q
coy chair and couch, and tables covered
with dainty bFio-a-brac, and shelves with
books, lighted By several large
and beautiful astral lamps, some with
colorod shAdob Of crimson and gold and
delicate tint Of blue. there stood close %
the opposite wall q large piano of the
class known - the ''grind, " rarp enough
among the railway towns west Of the
Mississippi statel, but utterly UNLOCKED
for here. . WsekS long march from the
nearest Of tho Texan FailWayA That in
itself wore SUFFICIENT cause for much sur
prise, notwithstanding the measure of
be bad had IN MR Law.
rencS's remarla .
The sight that wen nigh took. bis
breath away wa something far more
than the interior Of . Injurious and
appointed room. Nothing
that had been said or hinted prepared
him In the faiutost degree for the appa-
rition facing him, seated a the piano, Of
/ performer utterly unlike the Cow
puncher" whom he had met In the morn
Ing. The .'follow" now banding over the
key board was Q young, exquiSitely fair
and graceful woman. Even as be stood
here In tho full glare Of the parlor
Iighta she lifted up . pair Of soft.
lhaded. lustrouS eyes and saw him.
The music stopped with sudden shock.
rannhauser was undonA The hrm,
white. shapely hands fell nerveless In
her lap; Q pallor - Of faintness shot
1ver the wild eyed face, only to Be In
Jtantly succeeded By . huSh that surged
1p 70 her very browA Startled she
might have been for an instant; scared
mot . bit Of 1T One instant only Of
hesitation. then sho rose and swept gal
antly forward 70 meet him.
InStinctively PerEy'S hand went up 70
he visor Of his forage cap and barred the
,right. curling crop Of hair. speechless
with amaze. ho could only bow before
Ter and wait haF question; but it was q
moment before she could speak. Brave
. she was. the sudden apparition Of q
tranger staring In upon her solitude
rom IN open easement was shock that
erved 10 pAralyse the vocal oorda He