The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-05-31

suddenly, so 1t seemed TO the girl, this
time hohorcd talk passed into another
| phase. She heard the word music men
| toned, and she became at once interested
TO learn what these people had to say on
subject which was dearer TO her thar
any other.
For my own part" said stern look
| ing old man, Il have no words TO describe
what gracious comfort music has been
TO me all my life. 1t is the noblest Ian
guage which msh understands and speaks,
and i sometimes think that those who
know it, or know something Of IL, are able
at rare moments to find an answer to lifes
perplcxing problems.
The little girl looked up from her plate.
Robert Brownirg's words rose TO her lips,
but she did not give them utterance:
Sod has few of US whom he whispers in the
ear.
The rest may reason, and Welcomes tits wo
musicians know.
81 have lived through n long life," said
another elderly man, land have therefore
had my share of trouble, but the grief Of
being Obliged TO give up music was the
grief which held me the longest, or which
perhaps has never left me. still crave for
the gracious pleasure of touching once
more the strings Of a violoncelio and hear
ing the dear, tender voice singing and
throbbing and answering even TO such poor
skill as mine. / still ycarn 10 take my
part I'm concerted music and be one of those
privileged TO play Beethoven string quar-
tets. But that win have to be in another
incarnation, L think"
He glanced at his shrunken arm, and
then, as though ashamed of this allusion
TO his own personal iniirmity, he added
hastily:
But when the first pang OF such pain
is over there remains the comfort of being
a listener. At first one does not think il a
comfort but as time goes on there is no
resisting its magic influence. And Lowell
said rightly that 'one of Gods greatest
charities Is music.
II did not know you were musical, Mr..
Keith, said an English lady. "You have
never before spoken of music"
Perhaps not, madam" he answered.
"Ono does not often speak Of what one
cares for most of ell But when am in
London L rarely miss hearing our best
players.
various merits OF eminent pianists were
warmly discussed.
What wonderful name that little
English lady has made for herselfI' said
the major, who was considered an author
ity on all subjects. ~ would go anywhere
to hear Miss Thyra Flowerdew. We all
ought to be very proud of her. She has
taken even the German musical world by
storm, and they say her recitals at Paris
have been brilliantly successful. / myself
have heard her at New York, Lefpsic, Lon.
don, Berlin and even Chicago"
The little girl stirred uncasily In her
chair.
Il don't think MSs Flowerdew has ever
been TO Chicago" she said.
There was n dead silence. The admirer
of Miss Thyra Flowerdew looked much an
ncyed and twiddled his watch chain. He
had meant to say Philadelphia. but he did
not think 10 necessary To own 10 his mis-
take
"What inlpcrtinence" said one Of the
ladies to Miss Blake. What can she know
about iti Is she not the young person
who tunc& the pianoP
perhaps she tunes Miss Thyra Flower
dew's piano" suggested Miss Blake in
loud whisper.
You are right, madam" said the little
girl quietly. II have often tuned Miss
klONefucW piano.
There was another embarrassing silence,
and then o lovely old lady whom every one
revcrenced canic 10 tho rescue.
II think her playing is simply superb"
she said Nothing that ever hear sat
isfies mo so entirely. She has all the ten
derness of an angels touch"
Listening to her, 4" said the major, who
had now recovered from his annoyance at
being interrupted, lone becomes uncon-
scious of her presence, for she is the music
itself And that is rare II is but seldom
nowadays that we are allowed TO forget
the personality Of the player. And yet her
personality Is an unusual one. Having
once seen her IL would not be easy 60 for
get her should recognize he- anywhere"
AS he spoke he glanced at the little tim.
or and could not help admiring her digni-
fed compoGurc under circumstances which
might have been distressing Co any one,
and when she rose with the others he fol
lowed her and said stiflly;
"I regret that was the indirect cause
Of putting you in an awkward position"
1T Is really Of no consequence" sho
said brightly. II you think l was imper-
tinert, l ask your forgiveness. did not
mean 20 bo oflicious. The words were
spoken before I was aware Of them"
She passed into the salon. where she
found a quiet corner for herself and read
come af tho MnspsperA Ne Qpe TOOK the