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

Madame Langelot, comely, smiling
woman of thirty-six, was humming mcr-
rily as she went to and fro in her dining
room, and giving the last glance, the
careful housewives glance, to the family
table. Whatever the season might be,
there was always bunch Of flowers to
enliven the board and testify to the deli
cate touch of womaf.
: Suddenly MadanI e Langelot stopped,
as she recognized he shHsk0ahs stC !, and
he II d hard " emf red ths soomtRhea-
she exclaimed;
SET"
+. az have reason to be, darling" he re-
piled, 'twhen man hears at the same
moment of the failure and the death of his
only brother"
"You brother, oh, my poor dear!"
cried Madame.
"His marriage, as you know, was an
unfortunate one" continued the husband,
che was an artist IN heart and soul, and
forgot everything in his love for an
italian lady, who had a madonna-ike
face and wonderful musical talent. Her
Cork eyes bewitched him, and in spite of
my entreaties, and our fathers opposi-
ton, he married her. He was utterly
incapable of managing his business, and
was made reckless by the death of his
adored wife. Yesterday, in despair, he
took his own life, and on me Gevolves
the task of settling his affairs in an hon
orable manner. 1 must do this dear, for
lie was Langelot."
: ''Of course" was the reply, 'it is
your duty"
"Tfere is something else, said Mon
sieur Langelot slowly, and his wife,
startled by his hesitation, exclaimed
snxiorsly:
+ "What do you mean?"
( "My brother has left son, he is.
Twelve years old, but delicate and de-
formed, and will never be able to provide
for himself"
t "And you think it is our duty to
Gdopt him?"
+ "You are perfectly isat," cried the
young woman, kissing her husband
foadly, show good you are, dear! Bring
the poor boy home, and he shall be our
Clairette's elder brother"
. And thus tho orphans fate was settled
by these two simple loving souls.
f Monsieur and Madame Langelot, who
had been married twelve years, idolized
their only child. Ciairette was three
years Old. frail, delicate little creature,
highly nervous, treated like aqueen, and
somewhat despotic, as spoiled children
usually are.
In few days Lucien Langelot arrived
at his uncle's home. He was painfully
Geformed, pale aud delicate, and of his
mothers radiant} beauty had inherited
nothing except the large dark eyes, which
iilumined his thin5 face with their bril-
liant flashes. Close against his breast he
pressed violin, his dearest treasure.
AT sight of this stranger the little
Charlotte began to cry and sob convul-
sively. Her cousin looked timidIy at the
fsir-haired and gaily dressed little crea-
| ture for miRute, then raising his instru-
ment, said softly,
s'Liseen, the violin will sing to you
do not cry"
And beneath his young fingers the ar
| lists bow moved wondrously, the sound
of gay yet tender sir burst forth, and
| the improvisation like caress suddenly
,oothed the child's fears, and she was
silent.
.'AIore, moreI Sing again, pretty
music!" cried CIairette when tho player
stopped, and she clapped her little hand:
in glee.
So the wonderful violi1 played on
seeming to speak words Of enchantment
and showing plainly what the poo
hunchback had received as his rnaterna
inheritance. From that day tender at
lection united the two children, and til,
years passed on.
Lueien has become man, and ID asst
eiaxed with his uncle In business. He