The times., 1898-01-23


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Aa asla ata ess ef1 sseep sae
Nhss ~ y.su z...sz - ssry. Elrh-
sHs
70 10 tafber. = hars my hair cas.'
Hls tnlce suuntissi artuaiiy threaten
ing
Richard. my dear husband. you see.
I wanted -" then, conscious of guilt.
she paused.
An, - you nleant te do ia
He placed himself where the hEnt
streamed full upon him. took Ot his hat
and stared at her.
Ely was startled at her own work.
From his forehead 10 the right temple
"A clump Of hair stood stifiiy up giving
Richards angry expression somewhat
comical aspect
He rushed out of the room. while his
young wife rnurmured amid her tears,
Perhaps he won't forgive me. but it
could not be helped
The first part of the program was
over. During the pause the great con-
cert hall began to fill, for now Richard
Andre was TO play. His admirers
poured in and took their places in the
front row AS if by an electric shock,
the thrill Of expectation was commune
Gated to the rest of the audience which
so far had been somewhat apathetic,
only the pause lasted somewhat too
long, longer than usual.
At last the artist appeared on the
stage and was greeted by thunders of
applause. Several bouquets flew
through the air and fell at his feet.
But the enthusiasm soon died away
The hands which had clapped 50 mad
Iy suddenly paused A strange mur-
mur ran through the hall. people cast
inquirfug lsiances at one another.
This was not the artist whose per-
sonal beauty was so remarkable. but a
very ordinary man. nowise dinerenL
from thousands of others. Why, he
looked almost ridiculous. for his clip
ped hair stood up like bristles all over
his head,
Richard bowed his thanks for the
enthusiastic reception. whose abrupt
close comewhat Vexed him. Then, as
he again stood erect and placed the
violin on his breast. he made the move
ment of the head with which ne nad
formerly shaken his hair back from his
brow. During the first few bars OF the
music he noticed the uneasfness in the
hall and felt somewhat embarrassed by
it, then he became absorbed in playing,
and heard only the exquisite notes
which he lured from his instrument.
HE surpasses himself" the connOis-
seurs and critics whispered, while the
orchestra and conductor gaZed as
though enchanted at the great musi-
clan. who had forgotten himself and
his surroundings
When the piece was over, Richard
once more became cOnCiOuS of his sur
roundings and stood waiting for the
customary response from the audience.
Here and there were tokens OF ap-
IL
strangely Indifferent. This state of af-
fairs continued until the close of the
performance.
He looks not only hfdeOus, but
ridiculous whispered a lady just in
front of the stage. to her neighbor.
Yes, what induced him to do such
a thing He looks like a convict, or a
clown, and those earsi
He has forgotten his wig" said a
third
Andre heard the remarks. as the eS-
asperated ladies probably Intended,
and with his vanity deeply wounded.
he left the scene of his former tri-
urnphs His music was no longer ap-
preciated. He had become an object
of ridicule. And he owed all this TO
Ely his foolish. Jealous wife
He clenched his teeth. and his face
flushed She should pay for it,
Richard had not noticed that Ely
had entered the carriage with him. he
was thinking solely of the humiliation
he had suffered-he, who had played
like a demigod,
ELY had leaned timidly back into
corner and was crying Whenever the
lanterns of passing carriage cast a ray
of light into theirs she gaZed anxious
ly into the face Of her husband, who
sat staring into vacancy She would
rather have endured anything, re-
proaches- even his contempt but Rich
ards silence oppressed her too heavily
How wretched he must be, the proud
artist, so accustomed to the incense OF
applause
Richard she whispered pleadingly.
at last forgive me. / know 1 have
been very wrong" He made no reply.
Just one word, Richard" she sobbed
bitterly, 'just one. You see-the
notes you gave me to read-alI asked
for locks of hair, till at last they drove
me wild,,"
"To think that you should have been
there. Ely ne muttered. at this con-
certI'
aoh, how I suffered for YOU" she
cried.
How they treated me-" he burst
forth. cIenching his hands. And
why? It's incredible. but truei Be-
cause-I had had my hair cut.'
Yes, Richard. and the favor of such
What do they know OF your art? And
you played magnificently tonight: [
know it; can value you. even without
your hair"
Richard again lapsed into silence.
But suddenly, before the carriage stop
ped at the hotel. he threw his arm
around her. clasping her passiOnately
to him
"EIiyt" he gasped. "you are right, I
have learned it now. The lesson hurts.
but it has cured me. Such external
vanities are unworthy Of true artist;
I owe this recognition TO VOC. my new
DeliIah. and-and from this day my
hair shall stay as it is now
Again the light from a passing car
riage shone upon Elly's face. and
Richard saw that she was smiling
roguishly through her tears.
Listen. Richard she whispered,
Eve will let it grow again. There is
no danger now. for you or me. and.
with YOUR long hair. dearest-yOu GER
tainIy are a handsOmer man. "-Intero
national Magazine
What Man Drinks