The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1900-06-19

IL was not until after the muSiO hSN
begun and one of the too obvious oe-
scriptive symphonies of certain nou-
ern composer began to make us IN
sistent way into the comprehension OF
the audience that he chose to lift ms
eyes. When he beheld the face Oh tns
young girl next him a strange ano
comprehending light stole into ma
face, and his fixed regard caused tns
girl to return his look. For a moment
perplexity had its way with her. TheD
an expression Of awe-almost fright
appeared in her eyes. Then, quleely
and naturally, the two knew them
selves for father and daughter meeting
after ten years.
There was no need of Claribers SOFT
pressure on her mothers arm to make
her acquainted with the fact Nathan
Taussig sat there beside them. Sne
had noticed him when she stood IN
the aisle waiting for her daughter TO
precede her. A mist clouded her sight
and it seemed to her for moment as
If death were actually knocking at her
house of life. But she forced herself
to calmness and seated herself
1t was fate, no doubt. From the
day she had left her own home she
had not lived in Chicago. For time
she and her daughter had known
peaceful English country life; for
years she had lived in quiet, beauti-
full Massachusetts, village, where Clari-
bel had attended school. For the first
time she had returned to Chicago.
What likelihood, she had asked her.
self, was there of meeting Nathan
Taussig in city of two million souls?
Yet here, on the first occasion on which
she ventured into a public place, she
met him. 1t was fate, no question.
The music had changed. The or
chestra was giving to the people the
most reverent thoughts of master.
True and sweet and comforting was
the serene major harmony, and the
dew of its beauty fell into the very
cisterns of the heart. In the trembling
young girl in the sable garments it
awoke world of tenderness. The
longing and dissatisfaction from
which she had suffered took concrete
form in her elated imagination.
1t was her father that she wanted
her fathers love. her fathers guild
ance, his authority! AS the rivulets
of spring dance down the hillside to
find the river, so her soul sought that
of her father. The music, "yearning
like a god in pain" impelled her to
indulge in an exquisite impulse She
slipped the glove from her warm and
quivering fingers and laid them softly
softly as kiss-within the hand OF
the man beside her On his part there
was a seconds hesitation as IL the
faithful nerves Of his hand had not
told his aching heart the truth. Then,
with a grasp, such as a sinful one
might take upon an angels robe, he
closed his hand upon that of the girl
and over the two spread a happiness
like the balm of a starlit summer
night.
The concert ended in time The
three arose. They faced each other.
Each looked beautiful to the eyes of
the rest. The crowd passed along the
aisles. 1t would have been profane to
have said anything commonplace. Yet
it was no place for an extraordinary
word. 1t was Claribel who first found
courage to speak.
'It is strange that you knew me-"
she said to her father. "Tell me, was
it your eyes or your heart that first
informed you who l was?"
II cannot tell. But now that we
have met, are we to part?" His eyes
asked the question of the elder woman,
though it was the younger one he adj
dressed.
Nathan Taussig," said his wife,
''let the girl have her rights. She
wants you, and needs you. Take her
home with you for time"
"But you must come, too, Mary.
Come, life is going fast. Let us be at
peace. What were the old feuds? I
have forgotten what they were all
about. only remember how lonely I
am"
who am l." said Mary Taussig, with
those divine melodies of the master
still ringing in her soul, that should
refuse to walk the path appointed for
my feet?"
So they went out together-those
three-onto the street, and SO home
Chicago Tribune.