The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-08-24

thodghyou could hardly be expected to
see it, my boy"
1t strikes me- remarked DevereuX,
coolly, that if it hadn't been for me
you never would have seen it yourself"
l privately considered this rather
mean of DevereuX, but as there was
some truth in it, | wisely made no re-
ply, assuming instead a calmly superior
air which would indicate that while
he might have been the Columbus who
discovered this interesting human con-
| tinent, | alone was capable of deter
mining its artistic latitude and longi-
tude. But Devereux didn't mind my
manner in the least.
Where in the devil are you going?"
he asked a moment later, as plunged
suddenly into dark alley.
ITO the stage entrance" wherever it
may be- l replied shortly.
| knew mighty well where it was, for
I'd served my turn in the train of the
lovely Caroline Gaines adorers, as
many better fellow had done before
me, and since, too, for that matter.
We'll. l hope to heaven he won't be
all night in coming" groaned Dew
ereauX, as he turned up his coat collar
to keep out the keen east wind.
But it seemed as if he meant to be
all night, for though we waited till the
last tousled and sleepy chorus girl fit
ted by us under the glittering gas jet,
the old musician did not appear.
At last DevereuX rebelled.
well" he announced, with much
frmness, you may be willing to stand
here till you freeze into a monument
to the attractiveness of Mr.. Hatche-
STEMS corps du ballet, but I'm blamed
if | do. Here goes for that sandwich"
| followed him in disappointed sulki-
ness to the Hungarian cafe we fire.
quent, and there under the mellowing
influence of a bottle of Budai | recov-
cred somewhat from my chagrin at the
escape of my find"
Where on earth had he gone? | won
dered. And what a picture he made,
with those burning, deep-set eyes under
the shock of hair. a rare type-Flem-
ish, probably.
Pure Hungarian, if anything ever
was. remarked DevereuX, in my ear.
Rats" l reioined. You ought to
know better. That coloring-"
''Who cares how it loolls?" cried
DeNereuN. It's when it goes down
your throat it shows its quality"
'What-" 1 began, turning on him
in establishment. lie was gazing af-
fectionately at the wine in his glass.
1t was of that he had been talking. |
turned away with a scornful shrug of
my shoulders.
The railroad business is hardly con-
ducive to imagination" | observed.
with sarcasm, and then gave a cry of
JOY. There was INLAND at the next
table, and INLAND was musical direct
or at the Regia and friend of mine
In response to my eager summons he
came and joined us readily enough. and
as soon as it was decent | commenced
to pump him.
That was a great cello player you
had to-night,'I remarked. blandly.
"Oh, yes said INLAND, with a little
smile, half apologize, half annoyed.
Hes a genius. Where did you pick
him up" | asked, trying to be care
less, but succeeding badly q: was
told by the twinkle in Dovcav TX eve.
Really, it's too bad Ia: make fun of
us, said the director, showing HIS
teeth in another little smile, but look
ing really annoyed this time.
But I'm in earnest | persisted, get
M in i = -
low who played the cello for you to
night is as fine a player as | ever heard,
and his improyisations were really
mastery"
INLAND glanced quickly at the bottle
from which I'd just retilled my glass.
and then inquiringly at Devereux. be-
fore he replied, with rather distant po-
likeness:
I'm afraid you're not quite your
self, my dear sir We haven't had
cello player in our orchestra for
year
What are you giving us. anyhow?''
| cried, rudely, and Devereux hastily
interposed;
why, you're dreaming, sir We
were watching him all the evening: a
white-faced old chap, with a queer,
long head, and a lot of paderewski
hair"
And he played things that were not
in the score. weird little melodies that
got under your skin and set your
nerves on edge" / added, eagerly.
INLAND took a hasty swallow from
his glass and wiped his face with a
strangely shaking hand. Then he
fixed his eyes on us with Il queer look
and said, slowly:
Gentlemen, you've been describing
an old musician who played for us for
long time, but does so no longer"
But he was there tonight" burst
out DevereuX.
"Of course he was" l said. 1--WE saw
him
Zone year ago tonight" went on our
guest, not noticing our interruption.
he hanged himself with one of the
strings of his cello. | saw him buried.
We were speaking of him just before
the performance this evening"