The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-10-18
The Love That Took Fright at a Face
From the New York News.I

from the New YORK News
He was my master and I his bondsWo-
man; not, however, by any form of in
denture. but by love Moreover, he loved
me, albeit he was blind and his house
keepers daughter.
That is he loved my voice-the rare
voice that is like delicious music-even to
my ears-the rare voice that heaven gave
me in compensation for my CHASTITY face
That facet That face! How I have
cursed it, How 1 have cursed the hour
that I was born!
He was my master in more ways than
one. He was a violtnist of marvellous
power. Playing was the delight Of his
life, and yghen I was only a child he con-
ceived the idea of teaching me, and forth
with proceeded to carry the thing into
effect.
A passionate lover. of music, proved
patient application. developed a power
as marvellous as his own When strains
We woOed from those two violins at least
100 years old: It seemed if the melO-
dies of heaven had found their way to
and o, how the love burned TO our hearts!
All what memories these are But l
ed me to him and, pIllOwing my CHASTITY
face against his breast, murmured ten
My darling. my love, when is it to be?''
MY master 1 half whispered in tren-
/ uIouS inquiry, a sweet JOY at my hearl'
for l well knew his meaning
My darling he went smilingly on,
with his tender kisses and tender caresses
My darling, must you have on OUTFIT be
purchase it as well as Miss Estelle Rihi2'
My MASTER I TREMENDOUSLY murmured
My darling, I want my wife" he con-
tinued with a certain vehemence- I want
me?''
So when the morrow rose became Mrs.
| Estelle Vaughn. Delicious memory
| bliss to both At the end Of that month
was the proud. neglected sister, whom
had never seen and Ralston little ex-
neCted to meet again she nau aC-
cidentauy learned of his marriage and
| came to inspect the bride.
Good heavens she exclaimed, when
| scented me. Good heavens! RalstOn. you
don't mean to tell me that this hideous
looking creature is your wife, and me-
You forget yourself. Marion he
haughtily replied, and
But L though my heart was on fire, in
terposed in my meEifiuous tones:
The countess IS right dear husband,
am no beauty as have often assured
My darling" he exclaimed, with pas
siOnate vehemence, as ne took me in his
arms, knowing well how my poor hearE
was aehlngi you nave aS S3 me OF
self fncOntestably ugly and repulsive look
ing But what care l. my DARING It Is
beauty of the casket.'
The countess rose and shrugged her
shoulders, remarking as she did so-
Its well you are blind, Ralston-
morning She wrote and posted a letter to
Paris, and in the course of a week there
The countess received this guest. and.
then, without ceremony, brought him to
the music room, where Ralston ana l
were IuXuriating in q heaven OF melOdiOus
sounds. That was the first intimation We
"RalstOn,| said the countess, after the
necessary Introduction, Ratston. this
gentleman is the most eminent Oculist of
mar f5ven nv years Of blindness NAV end
in your seeing once more, and think I
a man who needed his sight so much.''
AT7n a al
nous point to the remark
And that day she wrote another letter,
and soon there was in reply another ar
rival-this time a fair, sylph-Hke creature
beautiful as q dream
I looked at her and shuddered.
HeavensI how shuddered- But why do
day came when he saw for the first time
in twenty long years That day. Just be-
fore the bandage was to be removed a
peremptOry summons called me from the
room Whispering to the oculist to wait
till my return 1 hurried away
But such was not the countess. design
] beautiful Lulu who had been placed con-
| SpicuOusly in front of him and to see him
snatch her to passionate embrace 70
| his heart sprang forward, wailing
20 Raiston. Ralston she is not your
wife,
At the sound of my musical tones he
| pushed her roughly from him and turned
| with glowing cOuntenance toward me He
turned but that was all Words were not
l needed. Dismay. horror. repuISiOn. and
| disgust We're depicted only too legibIy on
| his handsome features Keeling TO him
| sobbed. as 1 sank at his feet and chung
/ to his knees:
Il told you the truth, RalStoni I told
you the truth
yes. yes, know he groaned, cover
ing his face with his hands and dropping
| shudderingIy into his seat But 7 was
| unprepared for thisi Would to heaven I
| had kept my blindness and my happi-
| ness"
| It was useless. His heart had gone to
| the beautiful Lulu. and gradually the
/ music began to madden my soul-grad-
| ually, till a certain morning. when I
/ SDTanR like a riZreSS at his throat.
| That brought the end. They took me to
| a nadhOuse; then followed a wedding in
/ which Lulu figured bride. then my
| broken-hearted mothers death. The coun-
| tess had won the game The mesalliance
| was at an end
| Is it wonderful that the violin still has
| power to temporarily madden me?