The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-11-06
LETTY'S SURPRISE
Dy wILFRED WATSON.


Mrs. Halsey's recommendation. am
sure your playing is charming. You
will give Genevieve her first lesson on
Monday at A? You will find her tracta-
BILE. hope you will be mutually
pleased with each other"
And Mrs. Gibson went smiling out
of the music room, leaving her little
girls newly engaged music teacher roll
ing up her music and putting on her
gloves.
1t was raining when she pulled on
her rubbers in the hall; the drops
were splashing down on the widow.
Lefty bit the end of her music roll in
CONSERVATION. She had on new
dress, and new dresses we're not q
common occurrence with her.
She was wondering whether she
might not wait in a corner of the big
hall till the rain slackened, when
somebody came bounding down the
stairs three steps at time. 1t was
genial faced young man, in hat and
overcoat with an umbrella.
Letty's fair cheek pinked. This
was Raymond Gibson, she had seen
him often enough in the street, and
at church, where Lefty was sometimes
substituted for the organist, who had
habit of taking a rest when he felt
like it,
She had heard Miss Toylor,to whom
she gave lessons, talk about him to
her bosom friend, detailing his good
looks, the amount of his fathers for
tune and his general perfections, and
declaring that he was by far the most
desirable "catch" in town. And Lefty
had come to have n certain timid con-
seriousness concerning him, because he
always looked at her so steadily when
he met her, not to say stared. She
looked up at him now in tremulous
shyness.
'"Oh, am so gladl" cried young
Mr.. Gibson, breathlessly. 81 was
afraid you'd be gone, Miss Whitaker,
You'll let me take you home, won't
you It's raining hard. And you
haven't an umbrella. I've been in
the library listening to your playing
and I can't say how much I've enjoyed
it, Miss Whitaker. am sure Gen
evieve is awfully lucky to get you"
They we're going down the front
steps. He had her music roll and had
offered his arm, and was holding his
umbrella so far over her that his silk
hat was getting rained on.
81 have enjoyed your playing in
church so much, Miss VIII ittaker,"
he went on, eagerly. 81 wish Peter
son would stay away all the time"
ooh" Lefty protested, with her
eyes on the street, 'I'm poor SUBJ
stitute, Mr.. Gibson"
Indeed, you're not, said the young
man, earnestly. 81 prefer your in
torpretations, your touch, your ex-
preston, your everything. I'm al
ways glad when Peterson's away.
How muddy its getting. Let's cross
the street, Miss Whitaker
They met Sadie Merritt as they
crossed it. Sadie was in the Gibson
set, and she gave the little music
! teacher and he escort stare of amaze
ment.
Lefty felt somewhat frightened as
they walked on, but Mr.. Gibson
seemed to gain enthusiasm.
"Do you like music teaching?" he
said, helping her across a puddle.
81 suppose it's bore?"
81 do get tired sometimes" Lefty
admitted, "but like it." I've nice
class"
Gan ages, l suppose?" said Mr..
Gibson.
"Oh, yes, from six to twenty.
From the first lesson in the instruc-
ton book up to Chopin" Lefty
rejoined.
"You take beginners, then?"
"Yes."
The Wilcox carriage was approach
ing, and the Wilcoxes were particular
friends OF the Gibsons. Lefty was
glad the corner of her street was so
near.
81 have always liked music" said
Mr.. Gibson hesitatingly. T-I sup.
pose I'm rather old to learn, but
could you take another pupil?"
"Another pupil" she echoed.
81 should like awfully to learn, you
know" said Mr.. Gibson eagerly.