The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-06-16


At first softly I.ks tie far away tinkiipg
Of bells III siiveriy sweetness. then louder
and louder came the, muse HIS hand
qulveted and novel with tightening
quickness along the Strings and with sure
delicate touch he drew the bow now high
up, nov iow down and the violin spoke
and ere az IS biddiag How wildly the
strains sect led Ia taat quiet room; how
the eve4 "a tie yioIinist shone and gilt
terrell Tow and then growing colt and
me'isg only 70 become Stern and cold.
l.G-- Montague watched Davarls as he
playe.l with an intentness that surprised
hers III; there was fascination that she
could not resist. She had never heard
such music before. To be sure, she had
beltd great musicians, but they did not
play Ike this man. Their music was cold
In comparison finished absolutely cor
rect; this man played with passion, .
warmth an abandon she was surprised to
zee. His black hair lay In scattered locks
over bis forehead; he swayed slightly
back and forth as he played; he laid his
dark cheek down on the instrument cares
singly.
He played on and on, and she watched
him; at first with surprise at bis mastery
Of the violin; then as she listened. she
felt her face flushing. something within
her responded to the tones that she heard.
When the music came soft and soothing.
she lay back In her chair with half closed
eyes, and sense Of comfort, OF security
came over her; when the tones grew saw
age, wild and soul-stirring. she found her.
self leaning forward with her lips half
parted. her heart beating simultaneously,
her eyes wide open.
She did not know how long he played:
and when with few short sharp notes he
paused abruptly, she felt sense Of relief.
Her nerves were at tension; she seemed
glad that the room was again quiet, that
she could look calmly at Davaris, who
now stood before her, with his violin under
bis arm, smiling. She wished he would
not stand like that-it looked too profes-
sional. But he stood there gazing at her.
For aninstant she did not say anything.
Then she spoke: "0h, Mr.. Davaris -
Davarls only continued smiling; she
did not like that--it also seemed profess
sional.
i didn't know you could play like that"
she exclaimed drawing long breath.
How did you ever learn to do it, Inever
heard such enchanting musicl Do go on
If you are not tired, Of counsel Please
play me something e.ss."
Davaris again began. This time he
played part OF fantasia from Vieux-
temps. Miss Montague h I'd heard this
s.@any times before. 1t began with a few
short, breezy notes, and then glided OF
Anto dreamy waltz. Suddenly breaking
0R, the sounds died away. until the quiv-
ering notes were scarcely audible. only to
be followed by stream Of melody which
flowed forth IN an urquenchable torrent
Davaris was playing as he had never
played before; something made him feel
that although this was TIE first, perhaps
1t would also he the last time Hiss Mon
tague would hear him. He looked at her
when he began to play; he watched every
change that came over her face; he saw
how she fell more and more under the
spell Of the music. And he felt wild ex-
ultation; he forgot everything except that
she was with him, and that his music bad
power over her. And now the violin
was sobbing and telling tale Of sadness
In exquisite low tones SO much like the
human voice; the notes would weep and
wall in their wierd suggestiveness. Da-
varis was looking at her tenderly; his
eyes were moist, they looked lambent and
liquid. The notes quivered in the still
air, and were so low that she could not
tell when the sounds died away and
mingled with the air, and they seemed to
4 say "Gladysi Gladysr'
And the violinist had drawn nearer to
her, and she could feel his breath on her
CHEEK. He was bending towards her.
Gladys"
Didhs whisper her name or was it the
violin? She looked into his face it was
tender and the love-.ight was shining in
his eyes. She did not know how long they
remained that way; something held her
she. did not move; she did not speak
Then look Of terror came into his eyes
how hard and cold and stern they became
There was look in his face that made be-
start; it was SO changed She coul
hardly think 1t was the face that she hat
seen the moment peIpre. lHel sne not!cet
that his eyes were fixed on the doorway
with a vacant stare; with an abject
frightened look. She turned instinctiyely
but she was not quick enough: the por
there's moved slightly, there was soune
Of rapidly retreating footsteps so quie
as to be almost inaadible, ard then all wa.
as before. But Davaris was yet lookins
at the doorway; Miss Montague saw tina
the frightened look had not left his face
she saw that the color had gone out Of h!
lips, leaving them blue and cold. She say
him pass his hand YEARLY over his fore
head. Then she spoke:
Why, Mr.. Dayaris. what is the natter
At the sound or herSoice he started IN
easily, he looked down at her, and the
his fingers relaxed their hold on the vic
lin and it fell to tue foor with resoun6
i, ing, vibrating noise that sounded abnor
maIly loud in that quiet room.
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