The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1893-05-04
XIV.

I kept my resolve, but saw nothing
to confirm my suspicious. The day
before Stephens last concert after
which he was to leave Trouville inn
mediately, we were seated in the Ca
Sino, near one of the windows over
looking the sea. A lady dressed in the
extreme of fashion came up to Stephen,
and said
Monsieur, l am grieved, for l must
leave tomorrow and so will not hear
you again."
Stephen bowed, and murmured few
words of thanks and regrets
IF dared ask-you would make me
so happy
What is It'll"
IF monsieur would play for us this
evening"
IT am in despair to refuse you, mad
anne, but the atmosphere is so enervat-
ing this evening that l can scarcely
hold my bow"
1T will probably be the same to-mor
row, yet you will play then" said Bar
bejean."
Because have promised, and two
hundred persons will be annoyed should
I fail to do it" replied Stephen, haugh-
tily.
1.-TWO hundred people, at ten francs
each-that will be two thousand francs.
Here they are, monsieur; will youi now
crafty us by concert without tick,
cts or programme?
Stephen had risen, pale and angry.
81 accept" he said, ION condition the
concert shall be for the poor Of Trou-
vile. and / claim the privilege of max
ing the first Offering" He threw the
bank note into a hat which he passed
to the lady, saying: BE good enough,
madame, to aid me in this good work"
then, turning to Marasco, who was
about to leave the room to bring his
violin, he said ''Never mind; see
a violin upon the piano which will do
very well, if NJ Barbejean does not
object"
The lady who had petitioned for the
music had gone over the terrace and
casino announcing the impromptu con-
cert, and the hat was soon well filled
and the audience numerous. The story
was soon known, and the millionaire
was not less closely watched than the
artist.
Barbejean became more and more
embarrassed; Stephen remained per-
fectly calm. While preluding upon his
instrument, he soliloquized:
'"This will be a most fortunate even
ing for the poor of TroYille. How glad
1 am to proclaim your generosity, Mon
sieur Barbejean, for never should
have thought of it myself. What can
I play that will worthily celebrate the
power you have In your millions? All,
1 have it! It is an air very popular in
tho efroofS Of paric-tbn Yn1IciaaI oI1IOUv
of money represented by a pair Of
boots"
And the violin, even more satirical in
tone than the yiolinist, sung the Bottles
de Bastian. There was a general smile,
and all eyes were fastened on poor
Barbejean, as if to say: eve under
stand-do you? Bastian, the rich and
grotesque, is you"
Anthime became crimson, but Ste
phen kept on, improvising marvellous
variations, sometimes hoarse and mock
ing, like those of Paganini upon the
Carnival of Venice, sometimes touch
ing and heartrending as the most plain
tive melodies of Vieuxtemps With
cessation the refrain continued, more
brilliant, more sarcastic, until the artist
let the violin fall, overcome with the
effort he had made, but with eyes still
fixed upon Barhejean.
No one smiled now, and in the midst
of the applause and congratulations,
Anthime beat a retreat. Before leav-
ing, however, he said to me in an under
,, tone:
sTell your friend must speak to him
on the quay"