Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21

came home from school. Carroll was eigh-
teen. beautiful, willful and musical to the
finger tips, and, with the usual faulty Of
mothers, Gartner was installed as her
teacher.
So immense was the social chasm that
yawned between her daughter and the Ger
man violin player that it never entered
Mrs. Vinton's head to watch the pair
When, therefore, she entered the music
room ore day, to see CarrolPs arms about
Gartner's neck, the foundations of the
earth apparently gave way.
The levers tried to stand their ground
Carroll defiant and beseeching in turn
Gartner confeSsng manfully to his poor
mans crime of loving rich mans daugh-
ter-but of course it was of no avail. Cart
her-and she was quickly whisked off to
Europe, while Ee-diSappeared.
At the end of six months Carroll was ap-
parently dying. Then the frightened par
America. and tried to find Gartner He
was traced to Washington, where he had
died three months before.
Carroll Vinton died also-the Carroll Vim
ton whom they had known. but another
insensibly took her place-a brilliant, hard,
imperious, worldly woman, who had in
time married a distinguished statesman and
became the woman we know as Mrs. Dray-
ton That was the story of the letters and
the photograph SO strangely restored to
her possession.
Meanwhile Brandt was intently consider
Ing his next move. Should he come out
openly with an appeal for the lovers or
leave it to memory and maternal love to
do their perfect work? Instinctively Brandt
felt that a blunder here would be fatal
and foE once in his life acknowledged him.
self at his wits ends. But fate, up to this
point so kind. was not going to abandon
her chosen minister at the crisis. While
Brandt was still struggling with his doubts
Mrs. Drayton rose, paler than was her
NJ a1 md nffar
him her hand with friendly smile.
Mr.. Brandt" she said gently. Il knew
Heinrich GARNER well when / was very
young girl. He was all that you have
said, and more He was as gifted as he
was noble in character, and he deserved
better fate. Influences stronger than my
self caused both of us much suffering.
have never forgotten him, and l thank you
from my heart for what you were 20 him
and for what you have done today"
Her face and voice We're unutterably sad
as she ceased speaking, her eyes yelled with
tears. and Brandt seized the moment to
say what was on his lips.
Il need no thanks. madam I am only too
happy to have brought his last words to
the love of his youth. All, it is cruel ard
dangerous thing" he added, with all his
soul in his eloquent blue eyes, ito separate
two young and loving hearts! A cruel and
dangerous thing!'
Mrs. Drayton was silent. Brandt started
to CO.
1T is understood her voice came after
him, firm and proud ever. that this in
terview is never to be mentioned?"
Brandt drew himself up with his grandest
manner. The grave is not more silent
than l shall be. madam" he said dramati-
cally, and went away
Late that same afternoon Muncaster was
alone in his studio. He had begun the day in
one of his wrought-up moods, when the
two things he yearned fcr-fame and Beth
seemed possible, yes, certain, of achieve
ment He had worked all day feverisnly,
one might say savagely. since every other
consideration was barbarously sacrificed to
his zeal. Not upon 1.-The great picture"-
that he mad not even uncovered for many
day-but upon a landscape for which he
mad made number of outdoor studies, and
which he felt sure was painted in his
strongest vein.
Muncaster was no mere sentimentalist: he
had never believed himself likely to die Of
never feel such real delight in life or in
work again he had felt that day.
Now the light was fading from those blue
Virginia hills and from Muncaster's eyes,
too. The reaction had set in; his exhausted
body gladly welcomed the tempting food
that Brandt prepared for MIN, to that
faithful souls overlooking delight
Brandt, for some reason or other. had
been in high spirits all day. Several times,
noticeably after two hours absence, his
eyes had met Muncasters full of light and
hope and he had sung over his work with
Poor old ehap!' thought Muneaster: "be
is so glad to see me in working order
again.
Now, in the twilight shadows, his morn
ing mood seemed to his evening mood like
Without money or influential friends, han
dfcapped by family ties? What folly.
If only he might see Beth for just a
moment! He had tried in every way to get
tending services at the church to which
ne knew the family belonged He had
seen Mrs. Drayton, stately and superb as
ever, but alone. Beth mus: be i'll. He
would write to her! He would 80 to the
house and insist upon seeing her! He had
right to see her! This was not the
feudal age. If Beth Lowell him--if? No, not
''lf! She loved MIN. and no one should
separate them lonSeri
In desperation ne went over to the for
saken picture and threw the drapery aside
groan escaped him at sight of the ruin
his own hand had wrought. But it was
Beth's figure-and Beth's lovely, tender
little hand-and in frenzy of love and long
ing he bent and kissed the painted fingers,
muttering passionate, disconnected phrases
In his agitation. not hearing the steps that
mounted the stairs and entered the room
and came toward him.
Then some one spoke his name:
"Philr'
Muncaster turned in wild amazement
There in the waning light stood Beth, look
ing frail and spirit-ike enough, heaven
knowsi
But it was no vision. Before he could
bring ont even a cry OF astonshment, the
little outstretched hands were in his, the
white face close 10 his.
Phil" repeated Beth. Everything is
changed-I don't know why, or how, but
1T is all right now, Phil! My mother is
herev'
And, indeed, there was Mrs. Drayton,
with both hands outsrratched, her face
shining with that beautiful inner light that
burns always in the heart of a good wo-
man.
1t was she who spoke. as Muncaster
started back completely overwhelmed, and
for the moment speechless.
II have brought you back your model,
Philip she sad bravely. Il could not find
it in my heart 10 spoil such a fine work ~
Then, suddenly breaking into sob:
Il could not make my little girl so I'M
happy she added. 'Be-be good to herr
She took their hands and pressed them
together, then retired to remote corner
nf thu studio and sat there by herself