The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1894-12-20

stranger, of whom she knew absolutely
nothing, as If she had known him for years
They walked together UP toward the cot
tage, Dolores between them, holding the
hand Of each in her tiny fingers, while Max
followed demurely behind.
Fairfax quite naturally let slip the re-
mark that he was located in the pretty cot
tage across the fields Natalie had often
seen it and admired its charming situation
and quaint architecture -''and,n he added,
~ have rented it for the Gutumn months.
Glen Gore is its name"
Fairfay refrainod from making any per-
sonal remarks whatever to Natalie until, as
they approached the house, he said:
~ think must have heard you singing,
when passed along the shore recently.
You sing, do you not!"
eyes, answered she, simply. $40 you9"
mo, am sorry to say DO not. l some
times play for my own amusement, but
there is such wretched piano in my cot
tage that take little pleasure in perform
ing upon it. Have you good piauol"
Eyes" said she, readily and unsus-
piciously falling into tho second little trap
he was laying.
He had 80 timed his question that they
now stood on the porch, and Natalie, before
she realized what she was doing had added,
courteously:
"Will you come In and try iti''
"With pleasure" responded he, immedi-
ately stepping in through the door.
At first Natalie felt little alarmed, when
she considered that she had introduced an
absolute stranger into her defenseless and
''maloless" home. Fairfax, however, gave
her no time for reflection. With easy
grace and the utmost coolness he moved
quickly toward the instrument uttering, as
no neared 1t, the pleased exclamation:
"Hox delightful know the make well !"
30 saying, he sat down before the key
board and began soft, sweet prelude Of
Chopin's. Natalie Immediately recognized
the touch of o musician, and listened with
increasing pleasure.
Fairfax now decided upon bold coup
d'Gst.
4 He ceased playing, unexpectedly, and So
lected, as II BY chance, a song from those
piled up on the music stand beside him. It
proved TO be that fateful '.Addio"-- (for tie
s~v SIMPLE and ezosllsas reason that Blanche
had orders oassav' to place that song second
from the top N the pits).
"You will sing for me, will you mott" he
said, quietly; and, without waiting for her
answcr, began tho prelude. The Princess
was startled, and flushed deeply as she
recognized the strain.
"How strangei How very strange! Al
ways that song" murmured she to her.
self.
Her first impulse was TO refuse to sing
(at least that especial song). But Fairfax
kept on playing the introduction with all
the expression Of which he was capable.
Had he asked her point-blanl, he doubted
not that she would refuse TO sing the
"Addio."
She could no longer resist, and when the
last bar Of the prelude was finished, he was
not surprised 10 hear her voice commence,
although tremblingly and timidly. Each
one inspired the other She soon was OBJ
hyious to every thing but her singing and
that wonderfully sympathetic accompani-
ment
Fsirfax's triumph was perfect.
When the song was ended neither spoke
q word, but each understood tho other
Tears stood in her eyes, and even his eyes
were st-hard-hearted man who used to
declare that nothing had made him weep
since he was boy OF twelve. AS for
Dolores, the orbs of that little creature were
filed with pearly drops. while near by on
the floor lay Max, with whom she had been
playing, sorrowfllly regarding his new
mistress emotion.
Little mamma, you did make me cry
said the child.
Whereat they both went to her, her
naive innocence having changed their tears
TO smiles.
''You poor little dearr' calculated Fair
fax, tossing her up in his arms ibid she
make you cry, Wen, she did make me cry,
too. But look out of the window and see
the steamer passing BY. That is the Mt.
Desert She is late to-day"
So from one topic TO another, the two
went on, regardless OF the moments fast
slipping BY, until the deep-toned clock on
the mantelp;ece struck five. Fairfax
started, looked up and said:
show forgetful ann 1t is the hour ap-
pointed with my aunt for drive. By the
way, may bring her to call upon your
Certainly, with pleasure" answered the
Princess.
Had she been self-conscious person she
would have been surprised at her own gra-
ciousncss and confidence.
swat one monen.,n added she, as he
turned to GO Here is your song. Have