Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-08-19

II Duet in Cwo FLATS.
BY ANY +. LAWRENCE.


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lie HAD been living there for a year.
She moved in the 1st of March, in
company with deaf old lady whom he
called aunt. he was q 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 it. He took lessons on
the violin. she on the piano.
Of course, the music conficted. 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
/ practicing 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 a determination not to be ST.
| fenced.
':Do-me-re-me, fa-me-re-me, do-sol-fa-
sol, la-sol-fa-sol." walled the violin, in
senseless reiteration.
.'Do-ra-me-fal-sol-la do-si-la-sol-
fa-me-ra-do." jerked the piano, with
maddening persistency; and the duet
continued for an hour.
That was the beginning. At the end
of a week the young man with the blue
eyes had learned to swear softly to him
self whenever he heard the music stool
creak. and the girl with the red hair
had for the seventh time shrieked in
her aunt's ear: I'VE Night as well live
in Bedlam and be done with it. If 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 a diplomat. He
listened to her tale of woe with respect
ful interest and scratched his head re-
Aectively. every sorry. ma'am," he
said. II always like to oblige the la
dies, but I don't see what can do
about 1t. Take It in reasonable hours,
say. before II o'clock. an ther' 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
piano-when he's nearly driven me
crazy with that awful vioIini" gasped
Lucille. But it's just like the imper-
tinence of a newspaper man. anyhow.
l should like to know if haven't a
right to play the piano ais much as I
wish, for all of himl"
"That's what l told him, ma'am.
Ye've both O. ye got a right to play
when ye want to-" says 1, IAN If ye're
bound to fight about it yen 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
ofsthe second-story apartment.
The music ceased; there were APP
proaching steps; then the door opened
and she was confronted by tall young
man with fair hair neatly parted in the
middle and a violin bow in his hand.
She started back and stared at him,
clutching the side of the door for sup
port.
"Oh, it's-it's you, is it?" she gasped.
'sIt seems to be-" he answered, with
a touch of irony. us there anything
I can do for your
Lucille paused for moment, wonder
ing what was the most dignifed course
to pursue. Whenry 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
trfnkets It is rather embarrassing to
find yourself standing opposite to him
in an apartment hall at II 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.. Hammond" she began,
with cold formality. ''I had no idea
who my neighbor was. and when I
spoke to the janitor about your violin
he said you had also complained Of my
piano. I am very sorry that 1t troubled
you"
Don't mention It. As you also have
been annoyed by the violin"
'eNot me hardly noticed it." cor
rected Lucille, with dignity. "But un-
fortunately my aunt is subject to nerv-
GUS headaches. and on her account the
noise"
Il see." He paused q moment,
Are you speaking Of your Aunt Hen
rietta 2"
"Yes. You have met her?' (resolute-
ly ignoring their former intimacy.
II have" he answered. gravely.
"Will you kindly convey to her my con-
gratulations upon the recovery of her
hearing?"
The corners Of Lucile's mouth
twitched-but It would never do to
burst out laughing like schoolgirl.
She turned her head to regain her conn
posure. and through the open door
caught glimpse of charming room;
the walls picturesque medley Of rugs
and tennis rackets and photographs,
prominent among the latter an ex-
quisite little head of a girl In evening
dress. with fluffy hair. She had heard
be was engaged to that girl. too. The
sight hardened her.
Very we'll. If you insist upon the
truth-it is who object to the noisei
You have played oh. Promise Me- just
rs times since came here. and you al
ways play the third measure half a
note fat.''
The young mans face flushed. II
play It exactly rightl'
mo such thing Get the notes and
find out for yourself"
There is no necessity. Criticism
from such an accomplished musician as
yourself by the way, perhaps you
would like to knew that you have rem
dered that two-step just 81 times in my
hearing, and that you drag the time so
4 always puts me to sleep"
She drew herself up Indignantly. II
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