The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1897-07-31
n Duet in Cwo FLATS.
BY AMY F. LAWRENCE.
TIE HAD been living there for a year.
II She moved in the 1st of March, in

TTEHAD been living there for a year.
II She moved in the ist of March, in
company with deaf old lady whom he
called aunt. He was tall young man
with blue eyes and an aggravating stub
bornness of disposition. She was lit
tie thing with red hair and the temper
that goes with ii. He took lessons on
the violin, she on the piano.
Of course, the music confiicted. 1t
was unfortunate that the first evening
Lucille could spare from her other du-
ties to devote to her piano should have
been the one Walter had chosen for
practicng on his violin, but it only
FASTENED the inevitable result. Each
thought the other was playing out of
pure malice prepense, and each regis
tered determination not to be ST
fenced
"Do-me-re-me. fa-me-reme, do-sol-fa-
sol, la-sol-fa-sol," walled the violin, in
eenseless reiteration.
Observation-Disclosures do-si-la-sol-
fa-me-ra-do,p ierked the piano, with
maddening perssteney; and the duet
continued for an hour.
That was the beginning. At the end
of a week the young man with the blue
ewes lad learned to swear softly TO him
sell whenever ne heard the music stool
creak. and the girl with the red hair
had for the seventh time shrieked in
her aunt's ear: 1--WE might as well live
In Bedlam and be done with it. II he
plays oh, Promise Me- just once more
/ shall speak to the janitor." On the
eighth day she carried her intention
into effect.
The janitor was diplomat. He
listened TO her tale of woe with respect
full interest and scratched his head re-
fectively. Every sorry, ma'am," he
said. 81 always like to oblige the la
dies, but don't see what | can do
about it. Take it in reasonable hours,
say, before II O'Clock, an Their amt
no rules in this house to prevent folks
playin' anything they likes. An that's
what told him when he was complain
in about your piano this morning.
complaining about my piano-my
pano-when he's nearly driven me
crazy with that awful violin!" gasped
Lucille. but it's just like the imper
Thence of a newspaper man, anyhow.
! should like to know If | haven't n
right to play the piano as much as /
wish for all of him!"
"That's what | tod him, ma'am.
we've both o ye got right to play
when We want to-" says |. IAN if ye're
bound to fight about It ven hev to fight
IT out between ye." And the janitor
walked away.
Lucile's spirit was aroused. The
next time she heard the strains of "Oh.
Promise Me" she didn't hesitate. She
ran down the stairs and pressed the bell
of the second-story apartment.
The music ceased; there were APP
preaching steps; then the door opened
and she was confronted by a tall young
man with fair hair neatly parted in the
middle and violin bow in his hand.
She started back and stared at him,
olutching the side of the door for sup
port.
'oh, it's-it's you, is it?" she gasped.
lit seems to be-" he answered, with
touch of irony. as there anything
j can do for your"
Lucille paused for a moment, wonder
ing what was the most dignified course
10 pursue. When you have parted from
young man with the solemn VOW that
you will never, never speak TO him again
and have sent back his ring and his
trintets il is rather embarrassing to
find yourself standing opposite to him
in an apartment hall at IL o'clock at
night and to realize, too, that the meet
ing has been brought about by your
self.
AT least let me apologize for my in
trusion. Mr.. HammoSd." she began,
with cold formality. Il had no idea
who my neighbor was, and when
spoke to the ianitor about your violin
he said you had also complained of my
piano. am very sorry that it troubled
you"
Don't mention it. As you also have
been annoyed by the violin"
Not me. hardly noticed it," cor
Tected Lucille, with dignity. but UNI
fortunately my aunt is subject to nerv-
Gus Headaches, and on her account the
noise"
i see" He paused moment.
Are you speaking of your Aunt Hen
rietta?'
Yes. You have met her?" (resolute-
is ignoring their former intimacy.
- have" be answered. gravely.
"Nill you kindly convey to her my con-
CALCULATIONS upon the recovery of her
hoaring?"
The corners of Lucile's mouth
twitched-but il would never do 10
burst out laughing like a schoolgirl.
Size turned her head 70 regain her com
posture. ard through the open door
caught a glimpse of a charming room;
the walls Picturesque medley o. rHez