The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-03-08
CHAPTER /.

the water on .he sands. like the wind
blowing peacefully over the seas; then
with vigor and intensity like the beating
OF the fierce waves upon the shores -
passionate, throbblng, pulsating, came
the voice OF violin from the half open
doorway. The notes would almost die
away and only the lingering memory OF
the melody remain, to be followed by
shrieking and crashing that was savage
In its contrast. Then in sweet, pathetic
cadence the violin would speak and the
Iong-drawn, trembling notes tell sad
life story.
One could almost see a man standing
alone on a headland by the sea; the
waters below dashing iiercely against the
foot of the cliff, seething upward and hiss
ing furiously: the sky dark and frowning;
the whole aspect of the earth unfrlendly;
and the man himself with his hair tossing
wildly about his forehead and his eyes
strained in looking far away over the
waters. Then the sky clears; the Wind
ceases; the sea grows calm; the sun comes
out.
With a few short notes the violinist
ended his improvisation, and began TO
play gavotte with many runs and trills.
He was thus engaged when tall, fair
haired man came up the staircase two
steps at time and, hearing the music,
paused for n moment at the doorway.
Then he pushed open the door without
ceremony and entered the room. 1t was
ono OF the many drawing rooms which al
ways accompany certain bachelor apart
ment houses. and was furnished in the
best OF taste. being hung with rich tapes
tries; on the walls were pictures and GER
man favors. Opening from this was n
sleeping-room and another room which
evidently was used for studio Judging
from the easel which could be seen through
the open doorway. But the visitor had no
eyes for the surroundings; he looked at
the violinist eagerly. And well he might.
HIS well-shaped head bending with the
chin resting caressingly on, the violin;
his large, soft black eyes raised in quiet
surprise at the intruder; his long, thin
white fingers holding the bow, those OF the
other hand resting on the frets lightly;
his smoking jacket rolling back fFefa his
neck, revealing white throat; he made q
very effective appearance. In truth,
Philip Davaris was always what Is called
effective. In evening dress, especially. he
looked remarkably well. 1t takes good
figure to properly set off the rather absurd
costume which is regarded by the civilized
world as full dress, and Davaris had q
good figure. He was little too tall per-
haps, but his limbs were nodded symmet-
rically.
When the young fellow came into the
room Davaris jumped up. laid his violin
down, and grasped him eagerly by the
hand. He greeted him cordially as Lang
ford, old fellow"
Langford returned his greeting and
looked at him curiously. And well he
might. Davaris had done something
very odd. Five weeks previously he had
gone away. No one could find him. He
left no word at all. He did not write even
a note telling where he was or when he
would come back. Five weeks ago Lang
ford had come to his rooms at his usual
hour; Davaris was gone. Each day fol-
lowing he came, but Davaris was not back. |
After week had passed he gave 1t up. He
was puzzled.
Davaris was very scrupulous about |
social usages, but he broke many an en- |
gagement in leaving as he did. Society |
wondered where he had gone talked |
about his strange disappearance and then |
forgot all about the clever young Greek, |
whom they had patronized for year or |
more; forgot about the man who could |
paint such charming pictures. who could |
hold his own at a musicale. Davaris was
forgotten in the five weeks he was away, |
by all but Langford.
The two had been classmates in Harvard |
the practical, good-natured American |
the affectlonate. passionate, impulsive |
Greek. They had graduated together, on I
Class Day they had climbed TO the top OF |
the tree" together, and flung down flow
ers to certain fair ones who watched |
them with wonder. Afterward Davaris |
came TO New York, and went much into
society; from a small lion be became a
lion OF some magnitude, yet he was for
Cotton in five short weeks.
And now when chance had sent Lang
ford to his rooms again, he found him
there as OF old, playing his violin. He
found him there as IL it were but yester-
day they had parted.
Langford had right to demand an ex.
planation OF the Greek S odd actions. But
Davaris looked troubled when asked why |
he went away. IL was a private matter
he declared. He was awfully sorry. but
no couldn't tell his friend about t. IL was
something very important that bad taken |
him away; something that he wanted to
forget, IL he could.
And so. of course, Langford had tho
good sense not TO press him on the sub
ject. They smoked their cigars quietly for
an hour or more. Then by some chance
Langford happened 10 mention the name
81 Gladys Montague-everyon knew
Jadys Montague. the new beauty, the