The morning call., 1890-12-15
PRELUDE AND FINALE.
BY FRED f. FOSTER.


vMI1HEN not quite 16. orphaned by the
HFAvE9 death of his mother, and but little
E&sN better than penniless, Wesley
Vane left his native place and went to Bos-
ton where, recommended" by his personal
appearance only. he eventually secured a
situation On pay that barely enabled him to
keep soul and body together.
His real worth was easily disceruible.
thoroughly appreciated by his employers;
and he was gradually promoted, until at "a
he held responsible and lucrative position.
Meanwhile he had devoted his leisure mo-
mepts 10 the cultivation of his talents. es
pecially gratifed taste for literary work,
which afforded him great pleasure, though
not particularly remunerative.
Finally he wrote novel which, having
been refused by numerous publishers, found
its way into the hands of one who ventured
to give it to the world. 1t proved wonder
full success; exhausted edition after edition
was veritable bonanza both for himself
and its publisher; caused sincere regrets on
the part of those who had not favorably re-
garded it,
As did Lord Byron 'he awoke one morn
ing TO find himself famous" Requests for
contributions from his pen poured in upon
him from editors and publishers in every
part Of the country, and even from foreign
lands. and prices were offered for his work
that short time before would have seemed
to him almost fabulous.
Rejoiced at his sudden distinction, he could
not repress a feeling of sadness that there
was no living person who was vitality inter-
ested in his success; that he had won
neither from man ncr woman, the tender
regard which alleviates our sorrows, en-
hances our JOYS, by reason of his retiring
djSn0SitiQn rpatiylS that q ppnnina ic
more essential to earthly happiness than is
fame.
He decided to devote his time thenceforth
to literary pursuits, sent in his resignation
TO the firm with which he had so long been
cOnnected-to be regretfully accepted-and
then left the city on a hardly earned and
much needed vocation.
The huge. old FASHIONED Westinghouse,
with its ''sheep-pen" pews and spacious gal
sleres at Canfeld-a pretty New England
to fill only when its hosts of summer visit
ors were in the place.
As they entered the sanctuary that lovely
Sunday morning the people could but notice
the exceptionally excellent manner in which
the voluntary was being played, and MANY
looked toward the organ-lcft, where were
visible the head and shoulders of man,
who sat upon the stool usually occupied by
& lady.
The organist had come to Garfield the
pitN lOuo Dul, Iii lil6 iutdIliiGt, Ddu
been heard to play upon cabinet organ
owned bv the family of which he was
temporary member, very skillfully. And
when, the preceding evening. he was invited
by the leader OF the choir to officiate in the
place OF the regular organiSt, who had been
suddenly called from the town by the death
OF near relative, lie readily consented to
do so.
Among the singers he found one. Miss
brigham, in whom he at once became in
tnr. g.
OF age, she was below the average height of
women, bad 4 faultless figure and features
that might have been those of saint. Her
voice had volume, sweetness, compass
that would have been creditabe to a cahta-
trice, and he supposed her, like himself, a
temporary resident in Garfield.
The next morning, taking his accustomed
after-breakfaSt rGmble, he came TO cottage
outside the limits of the village proper at
which he stood and gaZed fixedly, as he had
once before since his arrival in Garfield.
Mhlle standing thus lady, none other than
Miss Bridghgm, appeared In the doorway of
the cottage and seeing him, advanced to
the gate near which he was, and said:
Good morning, Mr.. Merton; am pleased
to see you, in most cordial tone, extend
ing her hand to him as she spoke.
GOOD morning" he responded, lifting his
hat and taking her hand in his own. 'Tnis
is where you are stoppine?"
"ThiS is where / live"
An! anu TIE nOnOsyiiaDle expressed
his surprise.
won't you come in 2" she asked.
THANK you, l will for few minutes"
he answered, following her to what was
evidently the best room" in the cottage,
where every thing was neat and nothing ex-
pensive.
A brief conversation convinced each that
the other was finely educated AT her re-
quest he played several pieces on piano in
the room, and then she sang to his accom-
paniment.
81 think few of the professional singers
whom have been privileged to hear lave
voices superior to your own,' he remarked
in way that assured her of his sincerity.
THANK yOu." she replied, a slight GRIM
son stealing to her check. Il am passion
ately fond of music but have had almost no
opportunity to study it,"
By degrees he learned that she was the
only child OF man WHO had once been
wealthy merchant in near city, but had
died bankrupt; that her mother did not
long survive him; that six Yeas before, she
had come TO Garfield to live witt, her aged
grandparents, TO whose support she had con-
tributed by teaching in the public schools of
that and neigh boring towns.
The Few minutes" had glided into more
than an hour when he arose to take his de-
parture He was invited to call again and
said that he should certainly avail himself
of the invitation TO do so, and he did,
scarcely allowing day to pass without see
ing her.
Nothing furnishes stronger bond of
union between two persons than does music,
and, almost before they were aware Of il,
the friendship that Mr.. Merton and Miss
Brigham entertained for each other had
developed into far more powerful senti-
ment
One day, as they We're discussing various
works oil hctlon, she mentioned the title of
novel which, in her opinion, had not been
praised as it ought to have been.
And to think" she said, that the author
once lived in the cottage where my home is.
L am not heIo-worshiper, but believed
would rather see him than any one else on
earth"
Would you?" he quietly inquired.
II guess so" she TREMENDOUSLY answered,
looking down.
HE stands before you''
WHAT" she exclaimed in amazement.
II am Wesley Vane."
You Wesley Vane?" she repeated.
am" he rejoincd smiling. 81 came
mere under an assumed name to avoid the
adulation that l was confident would be
showered upon me were my identity known:
assured that the years which have eIapsed
since went from Canfield-during which
cannot recollect meeting a single resident of
this place-had wrought such change in
my personal appearance that no one here
case" '
What you have said of my novel has
afforded me greater pleasure than has ali
the. praise that critics have bestowed upon
it," he continued. 81 love you, Mollie-
he addressed her by her Christian name for
the first time" as have deemed it impos-
sible for me to love any one. VIII YOU not
allow me to provide for you and your g; and
parent5 in the future?"
For an answer, she placed her hand in his.
and, bending, he kissed her.
When 1t transpred in Garfield who he
really was, the anticipated adulation - fol-
lowed.
From the cottage where he was born his
literary productions 60 forth to delight and
church where he first met her who l. da,rar
to him than fame or fortune, he is TO-DAY the
organist; she, the leading soprano.-Bos:On