The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-07
FAILED FROM LOVE.

cert.
ssAbsurdI The crush will be bad
enough. Besides it will be quite dark
when you come out, and you know don't
like your being alone"
81 can take care of myself, at my Ags''
(she was just ~, land go must He is
to play La Fee GLAMOUR and it is impor-
tant for me to hear it. +"
Joyce was at the door an hour before the
concert began, and she managed to get a
capital seat.
It was a long while before the people
began to fill the stalls. Presently, how
ever, they began to arrive.
In the second row sat an old lady, with
snow white hair and a sweet, gentle ex-
preston. Joyce loved her and sighed at
the memory of the mother who had been
just such another.
She was with a young man, handsome
lad of about 90, with long, musical hands
and slight stoop.
After that she saw nothing. She closed
her eyes and held her breath and was only
conscious Of the glorious music that filed
her soul. It was over, and she rose to her
feet and stung her little hands with VIC
lent o1aps when every one had stopped.
And the dark Lad in the stalls below saw
her and touched his mothers arm.
Look at that child. How enthusiasticl"
And for the rest of the concert his eyes
never left her face.
out, and when she reached the door she
found it was raining and felt for her
purse. It was gonel
Her quick exclamation attracted atten-
ton.
''What is the matter?'' a voice said at
her elbow.
ST have lost my purseP' she cried "And
have no umbrella, and there will be such
a scene If get wet. wanted to take an
omnibus but can't"
She looked up and saw she was speaking
to the lad whom she had noticed in the
stalls with the old lady.
''What pity did not see you beforer'
he said. my mother has just driven away,
and she would have given you a seat in
her carriage with pleasure. But will you
will you let me drive you home in
hansom9"
She did not hesitate. "Thank you'll And
you will come in and explain to Aunt
Charlottef''
They talked of the concert as they drove
away. At least Joyce listened, for she
found the lad was musician himself and
could explain what she had not understood
in the wonderful playing.
1t was not SO easy to explain matters to
the Grabbed Aunt Charlotte, but when
the lad told her he was the son of the late
Lord Treherne, and that he knew his
mother would call on them the next day if
they would allow her to do SO she became
more amiable and asked him to stop to
tea.
And Joyce brought her violin to show
him, and he induced her to play. What
lovely little picture she made!
When his mother came the next day, she
brought the request that Joyce would &C
cept some lessons of her son.
HE is considered very good she said,
''and was we'll known abroad in the music
al centers, but he doesn't play now" And
from the tone in which it was said Joyce
knew that she was not meant to ask the
reason.
She made wonderful progress under his
direction. Her whole heart was given to
her music. But he, while he taught her
with infinite palms, grew absorbed in the
daily study of her charms. And at last he
spoke.
81 have loved you,' he cried, Tfrom the
moment 1 saw you, beautiful soul of
music leading the enthusiasm of that
great assembly, and am mad for love of
you"
"Lover' she whispered softly. 'Lovel
Oh, no; it is not for me. 1 am grateful,
but cannot think of love. 1 must work.
II want to be famous And she threw
herself on a couch and sobbed, she did not
know why.
81 will help you to be famous
After that the lessons were carried on
with stricter study, and the pauses were
not filled with sympathetic words as Of
old.
At last he told her she should make her
debut. Through his influence she was to
play at grand concert at st. James hall,
and for the moment the old eager desire
for fame came back.
She saw the old lady in the very place
where she had first seen her and the dark
lad was beside her. But the boyish look
had gone from his face.
She played "La Fee d'Amour," and she
knew when the pause at the end was bro
ken by passion Of applause that she had
done we'll Was he satisfied? But he had
left his seat, and he did not return to it
again.
Had her inspiration gomez She played
after that worse and worse each time and
her last piece was scarcely applauded.
Once off the platform Lady Treherne
was awaiting in her carriage to stop her.
''Child, come to my son. You must re-
turn with me now"
They found him in his room, his arms
crossed on the table, and his face buried
in them. Joyce softly touched him. He
looked up and sprang to his feet.
''Have you come to mock mef" he cried.
"Don't you know all that has been given
you tonight would have been mine If my
hand had not failed me. These fingers
can never hold the bow again-they are
paralyzed.'
81 did not know she sobbed "Oh,
how you must have suffered. II came
to tell you I do not want fame. I have
failed-failed because love you. Lon
don News.
Hard Task.
A cyclist was in village hostelry not
many miles from Brighton, Dragging
about his abilities as a rider to such an ex-