The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-08-08


| playing grew more desultory and final
ly ceased almost entirely, and instead
Of the exquisite snatehes which were
borne TO them from time 10 time the
fine piano responded only to a tire
some round Of musical 4. B. C's. a.
some unskilful hand stumbled over the
scales and five-tinger exercises
"Will is busy" said Flora, in answer
to several discreet inquiries. "IOu SEE
he is much interested in the erection Of
free conservatory of music, and mean
while he Is teaching few the first
steps. Ii Is very good Of him, ] am
sure, for nothing could be more pain
fui TO well-trained ear
''It is no more than he should do,
you, know" said Dorothea sententious-
~ with side glance AT her elder sister,
''oniy I'm sorry / can't give my un-
qualified approval, but really it sounds
dreadful through the heater, its ding
ding-ding, ding-ding-ding, one-two-
three, one-two-three, all day long; il
nearly runs me mad"
at makes no difference 20 me.
have no nerves." said Rosalie. But a
faint flush belied her words, and under
that calm exterior rebcllious heart WAS
beating violently.
Ii was a most annoying love affair to
the loOkers-On, and had not Providence
intervened i'm the gui-e Of AN unlocked
for accident the question might never
have come to final settlement.
\ quick ring at the hall bell brought
ROsalie from her workrOOm. Opening
the door she found a shabbily dressed
little girl standing outside with a small
role of music under her arm.
''ATr. Everett lives down on the
flight" she said, in answer TO the eager
question. ''Take care of the stairs, it Is
rather dark But her warning came
too late. The child lost her footing ON
the landing aud fell from the top to the
bottom, while Rosalie, pale and fright
ened, hastened to the rescue n fast a.
her feet could carry her.
As she reached the motiOnleSs little
figure and raised il in her strong young
arms the door of the lower apartment
was flung wide open and VIII Everett
stood upon the threshold.
Come in here" he said authorita-
- - N..r Lr.r.ro,, .r.I
Rosalie followed him meekly. He laid
the child upon the couch as tenderly a.
if he had been woman.
''She has tainted - he exclaimed a.
he hurried of for some water. Rosalie
bent over her anxiously and gently felt
for any broken bones She gave IT.
lieved sigh a. VIII came back
Il think it il only the shock Of the
fall, and probably few hard bruises" "
she said, rubbing one cold hand, while
the young man on his knees beside her
vigorously rubbed the other Then
they worked i'm silence until the little
one opened her eyes and tried to iii up
''NOt yet, AIadge. You had bad
tumble and must keep quiet forawhile.
will go and tell your mother She i
an invalid" he explained "a Rosalie,
''and meantime Miss Norton viii get
YOU To bed. This Is" he added, If
YOU do not mind. Mary Is away,
spending few days with Flora West
brooke, and | am "A Ounce about those
matters. Just put her away in Mary's
room and rummage about there for any
thing YOU may need. Call the maid if
you are in trouble. I'll be back in
few minutes"
Rosalie half smiled ~ ne gave this
volley of orders and made good his es-
cape. Then, with glow at her heart
she could not understand, she set about
her preparation. BY the time VIII ne
turned her charge had been made quite
comfortable in Mary's rOOm-
Then ensued an awkward pause, dur
ing which ROsaIie stood undecided
whether to beat hasty retreat or ae-
cept the situation more gracefully and
exchange commonplace with her quon-
dam lover, who sat careles sly twirling
himself ON the musie-stOol, watching
her with a dangerous light in his eyes.
IL was a crisis, they both knew, Yet
both were too proud or too obstinate 10
force il by word or glance.