Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1898-12-10
AN EXPERIMENT.

Arlnur WllSOu dWOh6 Wltu vague
sense of positive distress. What was it?
He knew now From the room beneath
came the tinh tink of piano played
no, not played, thumped in most
atrociously crude fashion.
1t was dreadful, awful, uncomfortable! T!
1t would have been bad enough if the
tune had been played correctly, for to
man brought up on Boston symphony
concerts the tunes of Mr.. Sankey are
not the most inspiring and satisfactory
music, put this performance outrivaled
anything Wilson could have dreamed
in the way of imperfections. Moreover,
there was certain insistence in the
humping that foretold frequent appli-
cation to the instrument. The racket
would probably be kept up for hours at
time and many times during the day
What should be done about 1t?
Wilson poked his head from beneath
the clothes and looked around. There
was his baggage, there was the table
especially put in by kind Mrs. Hapgood
in order that he might have ample ac-
commodation for his literary work. He
might go elsewhere, but he knew that
at this one house his needs could be
satisfied, and as for going to another
town, hadn't his physician told him
with great emphasis that Boston was
the one spot by reason of its climatic
conditions, where he could hope to ac
complish his task without breaking
down? Here, then, he must stay, and if
he found that he positively could not
stand the pounding of that piano he
must find way to stop it.
All through his preparations for
breakfast the nerve wrecking attempt
when he opened the door to go down.
probably hunting another tune, :"
thought Wilson-and he hastened his
steps that he might look into the parlor
and see who it was that was apparently
destined to torment him. Just as he
laid his hand on the knob of the parlor
door there was one solitary thump, as
if the performer had unwittingly drop
ped book on the keys. Next instant
the door was open aud Wilson beheld a
sight that filled his heart with pertur-
bations quite as exciting but far pleas.
anter than those that had been caused
by the execrable playing.
Upon the piano stool, swinging
around to face him and with the Moody
and Sankey book in her hand, was a
young woman whose fresh, radiant
loveliness sent thrill straight through
his breast to the innermost core Of
his spinal column So far as Wilson
was concerned it was a case of love at
sight. How else will you explain the
lamentable confusion that beset him?
How account for his sudden access of
color and his subsequent behavior?
Excuse me" he stammered, trying
to withdraw, but rooted to the spot.
Good morning, Mr.. Wilson," she
responded, rising with admirable COM
posure and simplicity. Iwasn t at home
when you came last evening, but, of
course, | knew about it. l am Lucy
Hapgood, and that saves mamma the
trouble of introducing u.s. am afraid
the piano disturbed you"
"No, no. Not at all! Not in the
least, l assure you, fabricated Wilson,
with alarming emphasis. What further
perjury he might have committed may
be left to the imagination, for just then
Mrs. Hapgood appeared and announced
that breakfast was ready.
All through that bountiful meal Will
son reflected. He hardly dared raise his
eyes from his plate, and for that matter
he did not need to, because where he
should have seen hot buckwheats he be-
held the lustrous orbs of Lucy Hapgood,
who sat demurely opposite. He an
swered the commonplaces of Mr.. and
Mrs. Hapgood in monosyllables and
looked up only toward the end of the
meal when Molly, 6year-old sister of
Lucy, came running in from the yard
with voluble excuses for being late.
Now, Wilson did not for one instant
realize what was the matter. He failed
even to suspect that he had gone daft
on Lucy Hapgood. 1t was quite appar-
| ent, however, that an unforeseen ele-
ment had obtruded itself into his life
in Boston, and he attributed his discom-
posure to the impossibility of asking
that superb creature to let the piano
alone If she had been mere child or
an ordinary raw country girl, it would
| have been easy enough, but-the end of
it was that Wilson decided upon trying
an experiment, He would teach her to
play.
Being naturally an honest man, Will
sons first step was to correct his previ-
Gus talsehood. Finding Miss Lucy dust
ing in the parlor, he said: II want to
be frank with you, Miss Hapgood. The
piano this morning did disturb me a
] good deal, and am afraid / could not