The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-17
THE STORY OF A WALTZ,
BY FRED F. FOSTER.

One summer afternoon a young man OF
the medium height, slight, graceful, with
haggard, but wonderfully expressive feat
ures, wended his way to Il palatial residence
in Vienna.
His dress did not indicate rank, but he
was politely saluted by the lveried Swiss
who slowly aud proudly paced to and fro in
front of the mansion. He smilngly returned
the salutaton, and at the door was met by a
servant and conducted to an elegantly ap-
pointed recepti0n-room.
The servant left him, and, seating himself
beside a harp, he swept his practiced fingers
across the strings nervously. at the same
time casting longing glances toward the door
through which the servant had gone.
Soon two ladies made their appearance,
whom he courteously greeted. Ons of them
was advanced in years; the other, not more
than eighteen, was "a daughter of the gods, y
most divnely fair" if not ''divinely tall, "
whose carriage was that of queen.
u am sorry tn have detained yOu, she
said in the sweetes. of tones, while her lips
were wTeathed with smiles.
"The detention is of no consequence" he
replied. .,.o.,, ~, him, 60. b.,
and swept her own fingers across the harp
strings. Then, under his direction, she ran
through al exercise placed on rack before
her.
The teacher, whom she had previously
found the RECOMMENDATION of calmneSs, was
so unlike his usual self as to attract her at
trntiOn, and she occasionally glanced into
his lace to discover his piercing eyes fast
enpd upon her. an expression IN them that
was unbelievable and pOrtent0uS, too.
Presently. the elder lady excused herself
and left the apartment.
bna ar
instrrctor exclaimed. sinking upon his
Lnees and seizjng one of his pnpils hands
which he carried to his lips.
"C0untess SOPHIE" he continued. 81 love
Won with NV whole heart. You do not de-
spise my loye?'
Recovering from the SUNRISE caused by
the declaration She her ewes dashing an
griIv. Withdrew her hand from his grasp.
and. in a coIltemptuous tone, said:
.'You are out Of yonr Mace. Rise"
you love me be mlAe?'' he asked, remaining
on his knees.
"I-loye-y0u was the sneering re-
Spouse. you rust be mad to imagin9 that
l. a Countess, love yOu--only n musician. -
| ana she left ban,
Rising to his feet he staggered. into the
! street ana went TO his rooms in 4 far-away
section Of the city. AT first he rushed
abQ-c frantlcally, continually repeating:
She is a Countess; l am only must
! clan." Then be grew more calm.
How ] love her" he murmured sadly.
81 might have known that she cares moth
ing Tor me. In her station women never
love, but desire name, titles. l Will try TO
forget her, and my name shall be honored
when that OF her family has sunk into
oblivion.
Several months alter man-many years
his senior and OF repulsiYe personal ap-
pearance-entered his presence, and, staring
at him superclliously, said, IN pompOus
tone:
81 am Count NJ, and have come to en-
gage the services OF yourself and your Or
soon to take place.
Il viii accommodate you, was the quiet
RESPONSE.
IF you will favor me with n new waltz l
will pay you whatever you ask"
81 will write one expressly for the occa-
sion"
The Count was on the point Of making
his exit from the musicians room when,
turning. ne SaTcastlcally remarked:
Countess Sophie C-iS TO be the bride"
The musician made no reply.
Very likely the Countess instigated him
to tell me she is to become his wife in order
to cause me pain" he communed aloud
when alone. "She shall find herself
wotnded by the barbed arrow hurled at me;
she shall be convinced that no longer care
for her"
The evening appointed for the wedding
arrived, and when the ceremony which
united Countess Sophie to Count NJ had
been performed, the musician, attired in
suit Of black that gave his features an I'M
usually haggard look, stepped before the
orchestra, violin AMI row in hand.
Toward him who performed his duties
with such an evident Indifference to herself