The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-05-29
THE SONATA.

one of the suburbs of Vienna He took
little notice of what was going on around
him, for his attention was conferred within
himself.
The sun had long since sunk to rest be-
hind yonder mountains, upon whose lofty
peaks the faint reflection of the sunset
glow still fingered, and the moon had al
ready climbed up into the sky to reign
with her cold light for few hours over
the weary earth.
The evening air was mild and wonder
fully soft, the busy roar of the city grew
hushed and low, and the peace of rest from
work breathed over the whole landscape
The man took off his hat and passed his
hand over his brow and through his thick,
waving hair. Evidently he was enjoying
the peace and rest around him, for as he
gazed up into the clear sky above him the
lines seemed to die away from his fore
head and softer light to come into his
eyes.
His appearance was stately and digni-
fed. His clean shaven face showed breadth
of line, and his fine, sensitive lips were
tightly pressed together.
Presently, as he passed a small, one
stored house which was separated from
the street by small garden, he heard
sounds of music.
They were the tones of piano.
He stopped, then quickly went nearer
and listened attentively.
1t was well known air that he heard
played with skilled fingers, but what
chained this man in the street to the spot
and made him listen longer was the fact
chat it was being rendered with intelli-
gence and feeling Then came woman s
voice, soft and tender, singing.
The listener was deeply moved by the
sweetness of the voice as he stood there
and leaned on the lattice work of the gar
den. The music poured out of the open
window of room on the ground floor in
which no lights had as yet been lit He
tried to look in, but could only see pair
of white curtains gently moving in the
cool night breeze and two or three carna-
tions that soon on the window SILL
Softly the sounds died into silence, but
the man thought not of moving. He stood
there in the quiet street as if lost in
dreams
s'You played that beautifully, Marie, .
he heard the deep, strong voice of man
say. II like to hear you play in the even
ing when everybody has gone and we are
alone. 1t carries me back to our child
hood, when we used SO often to listen to
our dear mothers singing. am glad you
have developed your taste for music.''
'Ah, I have no talent!' replied the wo-
mans voice complainingly. IT am never
for an instant content with myself If
only could hear this heavenly music that
fills my whole being and raises me above
all earthly pain played by master hand
by the hand Of the master himself!'
The listener felt powerfully affected by
this simple dialogue. With a quick deci-
sion he walked up the stone steps which
led to the front door and passed into the
low, narrow passage
He listened for q moment to try to
catch the voices again, SO as to guide him
Alright, and as he waited he heard them
speaking, though he could not distinguish
the words. Going up to the next door, he
knocked gently, and when voice answer
ed softly, Come IN, he opened it and en-
tered.
He found himself in the same room that
opened out into the garden. The moon
light outside spread throughout the SIM
ply furnished apartment a gentle, gray
light that was very pleasant and soothing.
In front of the windows, where the cur
tains moved in the breeze stood the small,
square shaped piano. The remaining fur
niture of the room consisted solely of
stiff backed sofa, round table, bureau
and a few chairs.
These were only dimly visible in the I'M
certain light, but sharply outlined against
the window stood the figure of young
girl, who had risen on the entrance of the
stranger and stood beside the piano.
Another door in the background led on
into larger room, in which burned the
light of two candles. In this room the ap-
pearance was less inviting. 1t was the
workshop of shoemaker. Probably the
workmen had been enjoying themselves
and had left, for all around were visible
the tools and implements of the days
work.
Then a man approached the door. He
looked at the stranger, who stood there
silently, his hat in his hand, with amaze
ment and asked in a tone that was almost
impolite
well, what is it2 What do you want?
Would you leave an order for shoes at so
late an hour?,'
"No," replied the stranger, mot that.
must ask your pardon for coming in here
SO unceremoniously, but I was enticed
hither by the lovely music that heard in
the street.
''Sir, what has my sisters singing to do
with your" was the brusque rejoinder, and
turning to Marie: 'There you are now! I
have often told you to keep the window
closed while you are playing or singing"
The slim figure that hitherto had re-
manned motionless now seemed imbued
with life, and turning to her brother the
young girl said gently:
Let me have at least the pleasure Of
the evening air. You know how enjoy
it. He who is fond of music can have no
evil intentions
THAT may be SO, replied her brother,
somewhat softened by her gentle words.
"But what next?''
Turning to the young girl, the stranger
said: You sang just now song well
known to me and well beloved. You also
played sonata and played it extremely
well. Will you perhaps give me permits
sion-pardon the boldness-to play this
very sonata over to you again.
tho, no, that's better still, +" burst forth
the shoemaker ''What next, shouldlike