Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-08-31


in one corner, grand piano in another, a
violin on one table In company with q
flute, q guitar Of antique workmanship on
the wall, and here and there stands Of
most carefully sorted music, the sight of
which filed me with longing, while at
the reverse end of the room was a deep
recess, in which Madeline decreed nothing
but harp should ever stand till one of
her own was procured, mine was to make
the collection complete.
Here, in this to me earthly paradise, I
would spend hour after hour arranging
aud sorting the art treasures, but more
often trying my skill at one of the other
instruments.
At first in the morning, save a visit TO
inquire after my health, and wish me
good-morning, I saw but little of the
ladies; but after a1time 1 found that
whenever l was playing the curtains of
the doorway would be silently parted, and
a little blue-robed figure would come steal
Ing in, and install herself in some faraway
corner and listen.
Madeline Oakley truly loved music. A
better listener 1t would have been impos-
sible to find, and by and by l found that
in her presence the music seemed to flow
more readily from me.
In those days played but little on my
harp AS great treat sometimes OF an
evening would draw it from its hiding
place. Then one touch of its cords, and
however far away she was the sound was
sure to reach Madoline's ear, and she
would be at my side. And Lady Lsobel
also. can see the picture which we three
presented sitting in the darkened room,
for Madeline always declared that It was
In the freight music had most charm for
her. I, in my shabby suit in the shadow,
Lady Isobel, In her rich velvet robes re-
Ginning in her favorite rocking chair her
beautiful face doubly 80 in its calm repose
for she also was great lover Of music,
though not IN such a degree as we others;
and before the fire curled up like kitten
on big soft fur rug of shaggy bear-skin
would be Madeline, her curly head pill
lowed on the hideous head. with its glass
eyes and huge teeth, her angel face look
ing with those dear blue eyes up into
mine through the darkness, while played
and played and forgot all else but the
thoughts that filed my heart. How
many in number were those only too
happy days l scarcely know, but at length
they came to an end
My duty, heightened, 1 own, as long as
dared, came to an end. l had no further
excuse for staying. My going, 30 long
delayed, must be at last. / spoke only
too unwiningly to Lady Isobel Of this.
1t was one evening that 1 did 80. We
were in our accustomed places, but 1 to
please Madeline. VINO had been most
light-hearted all day, was playing some
light music on the piano and watched, as
encouraged by Lady Isobeps laughter and
mock applause, the little fairy had danced
Dinorahlike, to her shadow.
''Ah," she said at last, executing q pas
de seul with an airy grace a premiere dan
seuse might have envied, chow I should
like to go on dancing for everP'
'tHow soon you would tirep' I said
| laughing.
By this time Madeline and were very
good friends-at least she was mine by
her own election. was too much afraid
| of being thought presumptuous to dare
| think of such thing, but it was impossi-
BILE for any one to have lived in the same
house with Madeline Oakley and not be
won at once by her. She must have found
me shy and reserved-even cold-but she
did not heed this she flung open defiance
| at me and my low spirits-was as saucy to
me as to the rest, and withal behaved like
the child she was.
/ remember one evening had been
playing for the first time on the American
organ-Madoline had been standing lean
ing over The back Of an armchair listen
ing, and as ceased playing she said, with
| more than her usual seriousness
THANK you. And to think how very
| nearly you were to being cruel enough to
| deny me some of the most delightful
| moments Of my life"
"How ?" asked.
| "Were you not in great haste to leave
us the very morning after you came I
shall not forget how disappointed was
| when saw you going"
II have often wished to speak to you of
that day." I said eagerly. "You must
| have thought me 80 ungrateful; but If
| you only knew how, while 1 thanked you
for your charity, my pride-foolish it was
| own-made me resent it."
pride is foolish in no one" said little
| Wiseacre Madeline in a serious mood
was one Uf the most bewitching of beings.
II knew how you felt, and l liked you for
| 1t, though must say your manner was a
surprise to me. am proud myself-very
proud"
Why did my heart stand still suddenly,
| and then go on beating with ten times
the rapidity Of beforeS
Madeline continued gravely: 'tBut for
all that. If your pride had made you go
away, should have been most angry"
Then 1 am only too happy it let me
stay"
| A second time we were talking Of the
night had come. was trying to put
into words my acknowledgment OF the
treatment I received.
.'Who but you," said, would have
taken in and cared for me, poor beggar,
as you did,"
"But the music, said Madeline, sm1l-
ing arch1y. ''Besides. 1t was not WHO
really took you i'm
mo" replied earnestly; ''but it was
you who gave me welcome-a welcome
shall never forget" aid moved by an i'm
pulse / could not control. I opened my
heart to the child-woman. and told over
| to her all the bitter struggle of that night.
Then. If Lazy IsobePs sympathy had bee1
sweet to me, now doubly 80 was that OF
this angel girl l thought it well after
wards that Lady Isobel's entrance put az
end to further condolences But aftel
that there was change In Madoline't
manner to me. She was saucy and light
hearted as ever, but at times I woulC
notice her silent and preoccupied, anC
more than once felt her big blue eyes fxe6
on my face, full of wonder, and later OF
some other deeper expression, the meaning
of which 1 could not fathom. One othe
: thing struck me as strange Soon sfte
, | my establishment as monarch OF tht
mushroom, another accidental reference