The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1901-05-02
AN ODD GUEST.
From the French Of Eugene Fourier.


do not be alarmed--l am not going
to tell my story in verse.
One warm day in June | was play
ing on my violin, studying Mendels
sohn, when suddenly some one
knocked at my door, and man who
was entirely unknown to me entered
my apartment. He seemed to be
about 30. thick set, muscular, his
clothes almost new, though u trItie
disheveIed. He seated himself on the
sofa without ceremony. | must say
felt "a trife distrustful of him on
first sight, but when he lifted his hat
and revealed Il hoary head he inspir-
ed me with more respect.
Il beg your pardon, monsieur, he
said to me, in d sad voice, for COM
ing in upon you without having my
self announced. am your neighbOr
and it is that fact which makes me
so bold. | adore music; | heard you
playing on your violin, and | became
possessed with a violent desire to
make your acquaintance.
This is very eccentric person,
thought l. He continued;
"Your violin has marvellous tone
and you play with remarkable tai
ent. !"
o human vanity! This compliment
so biased my opinion in favor of the
intruder that my distrust vanished.
81 answered him ut is an old Ital
ian one-an Amati.
The unknown took the instrument
in his hands and examined it on all
sides.
ut is one OF the best of them" said
he; lit is worth $4,000 francs 1t is
not my instrument, | play the vio-
lincello When we are better ac-
quainted, if you will permit it, L shall
be so very happy to play duets with
you. live in villa not far from
here, and we can easily be together.
| heard you from my park. If | am
not imposing on you, might | ask
you to be SO very kind as to COM
mence again that bit you were play |
ing-you play with such expression"
Tell me any way to resist a request |
couched in some flattering language!
i took the violin from him and began |
the adagio again, putting all my
soul into it. When | had finished |
noticed that the unknown was in
speeding. one after another, all the
pieces of furniture and bric-a-brac in
my drawing room. He turned to-
ward me.
THAT was beautiful; and how well
you rendered the masters thought!
Once again, monsieur, pardon me for
the assurance with which | opened
your door / am a little odd; | have
suffered much" The unknown buried
lis hands. # lost my wife, whom
idored, under the most terrible cir
| was mad for a long
lime afterward." My apprehensions (
returned. | noticed that the I'M {
known had a most singular express
lion. :
II have been cured" he continued, /
and | am trying to forget it all.
[ on seem sympathetic, and | wish
% tell you my story. 1t is a terrible '
secret that | wish to confide to you"
0, the devil, thought He gets ,
along with his friendships trife too
asst, to my mind
Monsieur" said to him, Il do s
lot wish you to revive any painful
He seemed not to no !
ice my remonstrance. t
1T will comfort me to tell my
tory he said. Il was twenty-one
ears old, possessor of a good name /
md fortune whichinsured my indie t
endowed with good ply t
'ique and fine voice. My efforts in /
my direction were crowned with
uccess, and, above all, / was we'll t
eceived by the AufrevilIes, an old v
ooitou family who lived in a superb |
hateau near Paris in Brie The {
Marquis d 'Aufreville was the father '
II two beautiful daughters, Zoe and l
Denise. Charmed by their attrac- s
ions, | went frequently to their {
home, and | became familiar friend s
Of the family. loved both the '
and had at first no I
greater preference for one than the ,
other. Soon ] began to see that
both sisters loved me in return. The !