The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1899-09-02

got az least TWO columns OF copy In him
though you could hardly be expected Il
see it, my boy"
1T strikes me-" remarked Devereux
coolly, shat if it hadn't been for mt
you never would have seen it yourself
/ privately considered this rather
mean of Devereux, but as there was
some truth in it, l wisely made no re-
ply, assuming instead 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 goingY'
he asked moment later, as plunged
suddenly into a dark alley.
'To the stage entrance" wherever ii
may be- replied, shortly.
i knew mighty well where it was, for
I'd served my turn in the train of the
lovely Caroline Gaines adorers, as
many a better fellow had done before
me, and since, too, for that matter.
well, 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 hs
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
firmness, you may be willing to stand
here till you freeze into 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 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 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!" 1 rejoined. "You ought to
know better. That coloring-'
"Who cares how it looks?" cried
Devereux. Its when it goes down
your throat it shows its quality"
'sWhat-" l began, turning on him
in establishment. He 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.
1.-The railroad business is hardly con.
ducive to imagination" observed,
with sarcasm, and then gave cry of
joy. There was INLAND at the next
table, and INLAND was musical direct
or at the Regia and a friend of mine.
In response to my eager summons he
came and joined us readily enough, and
as soon as it was decent 1 commenced
to pump him.
THAT was great cello player you
had to-night,"I remarked, blandly.
"Oh, yes" said INLAND, with little
smile, half apologize, half annoyed.
lies genius. Where did you pick
him up?" l asked, trying to be care
less, but succeeding badly, as 1 was
old by the twinkle in Devereux' eve.
Really, it's too bad to make fun of
u.s." said the director, showing his
eeth in another little smile, but look
ng really annoyed this time.
"But I'm in earnest" persisted, get
ing angry in my turn. '.That old fell
ow who played the cello for you to-
light is as fine a player as l ever heard,
md his improvisations were really
INLAND glanced quickly at the bottle
rom which I'd just refilled my glass,
nd then inquiringly at Devereux, be-
ore he replied, with rather distant po-
iteness:
I'm afraid you're not quite your
elf, my dear sir. Ave haven't had n |
clio player in our orchestra for a
ear"
what are you giving us, anyhow ?"
cried, rudely, and Devereux hastily
nterposed:
why, you're dreaming, sir. We
'ere watching him all the evening: a
'hits-faced old chap, with a queer,
ing head, and lot of Paderewski
air."
And he played things that were not
the score, weird little melodies that
OF under your skin and set YOUR
erves on edge" added. eagerly.
INLAND took hasty swallow from
is glass and wiped his face with
irangeiy shaking hand. Then he
xed his eyes on us with a queer look
nd said, slowly:
Gentlemen, you've been describing
old musician who played for us for
IOnO time brf Jooc, or, :, ~ I<...~-~,