The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-09-20
THE PIANO TUNER.


DO, do, mi, SOL
In back room Of the great plano mer-
chant, Lefevre Renduel, rue do Richelieu,
the tuner was working op this gloomy
afternoon of Parision winter. 10 was
colo and growing dark. anu although II
was not yet 3 o'clock. the gas would soon
have TO be lighted. In tho shop men and
women, errapd boys and pOrters came and
went, the wells OF the women aDd boards
OF the men covered with "A fine frost ana
all complaining of this exceptional
weather, which for tho past week had
been transforming Paris into "A kind OF si-
beria
The tuner through tho partially closed
door, could half follow the conversation IN
the outer room. He was a man of some
forty years. tall, thin, already much bent,
his face furrowed with deep lines, the hair
gray upon his temples, prematurely aged,
apparently. from suffering. He was evil
IDENTIFY very poor, to Judge from mis- clothes,
which were neat but thread hare His ex-
preston had in IL something of Olson
chantment of bitterness. which would
nave struck the least observaut. AT nrst
sight you would have felt him TO TO "a
man who had been vanquisned In the
struggle OF life.
A pretty maid, a true comedy soubrette
In gaudy costume, with an apron OF
changeable silk, aud upon her frizzlcd
hair "a delicious little hat with rcd roses,
entered the shop and began To talk vol
ubly to the salesman.
An instant later. the tuner hecrd him
self called.
"You are wanted. Monsieur Pierre, at
the Hotel du Louvre"
"It is very urgent" added the sou.
brette In the bcwitobing little hat.
AT your seryiceV'
On the second floor OF the great hotel
Pierre Morel was ushered into an eleg ant
nh A
piano draped with JAPANESE cover.
Immediately the tuner set himself TO
work.
DOUBTLESS they are afraid / shall carry
off some Of their costly knick' 'knaoks.
he saiu TO himself, seeing the soubretto
linGer near him.
But long since in his life of labor he
had had 60 resign himself To these LITTLE
humiliations; they no longer worriel
him.
And he played some chords
still the maid. chatterirg like n rarrot,
danced around him and never CLOSED her
mouth for an instant
''Madame will be we'll pleased We
just arrived yesterday; this evening after
the opera there will be some COMPANY: /:
they will dance; and these hotel pianos
are always 80 dreadfully out Of tune.
But madame will find one all right. for
once''
lis she an artists' asked Morel, amused
in spite of himself by all this prattle.
~ should say SOL And there are not
many like her For "a long time they have
been clamoring for Ter in Paris, hut she
had engagements. Finally, here We are !
Ii seems that not seat Is TO be had this
evening at any price.
Pierre Morel started: This evening""
"Wby. yes! Don't you know AT the
opera, Faust with la SalYani!"
lis IL Ia Sslvani who Is your mistress?"
lie stood up and trempled like leaf
In tne wind
lis IL la Salvani?'
"Yes, but what is the matter?'
Nothing. nothing. Heavens you were
quite right; this piano is in great neeu Of
tuning.
With violent effort of will, Pierre
seated himself again and resumed his
work.
But In spite Of the effort he made to
conceal IL his agitation was very evident.
The sounu Of a bell ringing in the next
room just then saved him from his EN- bar
rassment.
'''Medame Is calling men'
Aud the soubrette disappeared.
Then Pierre Morel let his head fall
into his hands while incoherent words es
capped from his lips.
'She She is ii possible And who
was wishing 10 avoid her 10 be so
near All Julistts Juliette !"
Ihen, suddenly:
bat l cannot stay here moment
longer No, not "a moment Lot her get
some one else ~
He started TO make his escape.
But the door opened and In Salvani ap-
reared, enyelopCd in magnificent furs,
famous furs which had been given her by
the Czarina. Tall slender. OF an exJui-
sito beauty. she did not look over 2o
though she must have been 10. Splendid
turquoises shone IN her ears A spray Of
mimOsa perfpned hes cCrsago.
Pierre gazed AZ her. glued TO to spot,
like one dalCd. y
she fnisnod huttoning one OF her long
SBede gloves and scarcely glanced at him
Nelly. YOU pay this man.
And she passed on. You pay this
man. Sho had not recognized him.
ami VIXEN the edge. of her wrap had
touched him, in or Nhgratefui memory,
in her frivolous heart nothing had
awakened crying: "lt is he. :"
And vet the two had scent taeir younger
days side by side; dreams. hopes lnbors
once they had shared everything. ara
Pierre Morel. in his foolish confidence,
mad believed that this happiness was to
last oil their lives
.iClietto Salyan was studying singi ng,
and destined for % staze. She had tho
finest voice In tie conservatory, ana every