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

said, with a strange mixture Of sadness
and triumph. II wanted to keep them at
hume with me- and saved and saved and
got enough money to buy the piano. They
had always wanted 10 have one, and I
thought they would then stay with me.
Thoy liked music and books, and knew
they would be glad 10 havea room of their
own, where they might read and play and
study, and SO gave them this corner"
"Well, mother" asked the little girl,
sand where are they this afternoon"
"Ah," she answered sadly, they didnot
care TO stay. But 10 was natural enough,
and was foolish TO grieve Besides they
come TO see me-
.'And then they play to your" asked the
girl gently
'iIhey say the piano is ont Of tune"
the old dame said. - don't know. Per-
haps you can tell"
The little girl sat down to the piano and
struck few chords.
Yes, she said, lit is badly out of tune.
Give me the tuning hammer. am sorry"
she added, smiling at Oswald Everard,
"but 1 cannot neglect my duty. Don't
wait for me"
~ will wait for you" he said sullenly.
and he went into the balcony and smoked
his pipe and tried to possess his soul in pa
tience.
When she had faithfully done her work,
she played few simple melodies, such
as she know the old woman would love
and understand, and she turned away
when she saw that the listensr's eyes were
moist.
'Play once again, the old woman whis-
perod. Il am dreaming Of beautiful
things"
So the little tuner touched the keys again
with all the tenderness OF an angel.
''Tell your daughters" she said as she
rose TO say goodby, that the piano is now
In good tune. Then they will play To you
the next time they come"
Il shall always remember you, made
moiselle, " the old woman said, and almost
unconsciously she took the childishfaco
and kissed it.
Oswald Eyerard was waiting for his
companion in the bayfield,, anu when she
apologizcd 20 him for this little profession.
al intcrnozzo, as she called IL, hc recover
cd from his sulkiness and readjusted his
nerves, which the noise of the tuning had
somewhat disturbed.
1T was very good Of you to tune the
old DANES piano." he said, looking at her
with renewed interest.
; "Some one had TO do it, of course, 7" she
answered brightly, land / am glad the
chance fell 10 me. What comfort it Is
20 think that the next time those daugh
ters come TO see her they will play to her
and make her very happy-poor old dear"
You puzzle me greatly, he said. II
cannot for the life Of me think what made
you choose your calling. You must have
many gifts-any one who talks with you
must sec that at onoc, and you play quite
nicely too.
II am sorry that my profession sticks in
your throat" she answered. do be
thankful that am nothing worse than a
tuner, for 1 might be something worse
q snob, for instance"
And, SO speaking, she dashed after u
butterfly and left him TO recover from her
words. He was conscious of having de-
served q reproof, and when at last he over
took her he said as much and asked for
her kind indulgence
Il forgive you," she said, laughing.
"You and are not looking mt things from
the same point of view, but we have had q
splendid morning together, and l have
enjoyed every minute of It, And toinor-
row go on my way"
And tomorrow you 60" he repeated
"Can it not be the day after tomorrow"
Il am bird of passage" she said,
shaking her head. "You must not seek to
aetain me. / have taken my rest, and off
90 to other climes."
1hey had arrived at the hotel, and Os-
wal0 Everard saw no more of his compan-
ion until the evening, when she came
down rather late for table 'hotc. She hur-
ried over her dinner and went into the
Cbr-.~
to tho piano and fingered there without
touching the keys. Once or twice she
raised her hands, and then she let them
rest on the notes, and half unconsciously
they began TO move and make sweet music,
and then they drifted into Schumann's
"Abcndlied," and then the little girl play
cd some of his "kindersccnen, and some
OF his "Fantasie Stuckc," and some of his
songs.
Her touch and feeling were exquisite,
and her phrasing betrayed the true musi-
clan. The strains of music reached tho
dining room, and one by one the guests
camo creeping in, moved by the music
and anxious to sec the musician.
The little girl did not look up. She was
in q Schumann mood that evening, and
only the players of Schumann know what
enthralling possession he takes OF their
very spirit. All the passion and pathos
and wildncSs and longing had found an
inspired interpreter, and those who lis
tened to her were held by the magic which
was her own secret and which had won
for her such honor us rUrrTcs only TO the frw.-
She understood Schumann's music ana
was at her best with him.
AT last she arrived at the "Carneval,"
and those whe heard her declared afterward
that they had never listened 10 "a more
magnificent rendering The tenderness
was SO restrained; the vigor was SO refln-
ed. When the last notes of that spirited
"Marcho des Davidsbundler Contre les
Philistins" had died away, she glanced at
Oswald Everard, who was standing near
her, almost dazed.
And now my favorite piece of all, " sho
said, and she at once gan the Second
Novelette," the finest the eight, but
seldom played in publ
What can one say OF the wild rush Of the
1aahfper thoy,a ha ,.afbos,, lon -,