The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-11-22
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themselves went to their new home
there. in the parlor, was a beautiful,
brand new piano.
They all stood in the doorway and
stared in amazement.
MI. Foster had 1t sent" Aunt Sarah
Petersen explained. She had been there
attending to that end of the moving.
He said that as it was due to his care
lessness that the other was wrecked he
should take the liberty of sending for
this one"
Maud. the oldest girl. went and tried
the instrument Isn't it beautiful -
she cried rapturously.
Time went on, and the girls practiced
diligently. Their aunt also took ad-
vantage of the chance to play, so that
Mr.. Theodore had all the music he
wanted
The Petersens had been there two
months when one day Mr.. Theodore
asked Maud to go with him to the
piano rooms.
Il want you to try them ALL" he said,
"and see If there is one you like better
than the one at home"
Maud tried them. mo- she declared,
there isn't one so nice.
Are Isabel and Katherine satisfied
with it?'
'Why. YES indeed they are"
'l'Y the way, won't you play that
new waltz for me?"
She seated herself at the nearest in
strument and began to play. When
she had finished she looked around,
but Mr. Theodore was not beside her
as she had supposed. Instead she
nf he
coming toward her with a piece of
paper in his hand. When he reached
her he passed her the paper.
"A birthday present my dear. | be-
lieve 1t is your birthday today"
Maud looked at the paper nlanklv.
Then it dawned upon her that it was
bill of sale of the piano at home,
made out In her name.
Maud never would tell ner sisters
what she did at that moment, but
about it, they all declared that Mr..
Theodore was "a dear"
Don't you think it would be better
for you to go out of doors more, Miss
Sarah?" Mr. Theodore asked her one
day. II would be greatly honored IL
you would accompany me on my daily
"a'Ns. " IL IutHei TEDIOUS gong
a!ona."
And so 1t became the custom for the
old bachelor and the maiden aunt TO
walk out every day together.
But after year of this, Miss Sarah
told him one day that she was going
away for a six months visit.
Mr. Theodore was filled with con-
sternation at this and begged Jler to
reconsider. He pleaded to earnestly
and cloquently that she finally prom
ised to stay away only two weeks,
and when she came back to "set the
daV."
That was the longest walk they had
taken. and toward the end Of 1t, mr..
Theodore said: MY DEAR there is
something l have wanted to tell you
ever since I have known you. 1t is
about the piano"
II don't think you will have to tell
me now" she said. II have known
it all the time. I saw you do it,"
Saw me do it? Do what.
"Cut the rope"
He stood still and looked at her.
II was at the window, | had come
over to see to things. you know, and
l saw you take out your knife. step
up to the hub OF the wheel and cut
the rope"
And you never told?"
No"
why not?"
You see." she said confusedly, her
color rising, lit flashed upon me at
once what you did it for--that old
piano, 1t was an instrument of tor
ture-and that was the beginning of
the--of the end, ! think"
He tried to look in her averted face.
II don't understand what you mean
by the end"
She turned radiant glance upon
him. why don't you see-today!"-
Chicago Record.