Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-08-21
A BRIEF
lNFATUATION.
How q Musician Found a
Congenial Mate.

a
never hope to look upon her equal again.
Seated opposite her in first class COM
partment of the train that, leaving Berne
rapidly behind us, pulled its way toward
Bale, | could only gaze at her in silent
rapture.
We had not exchanged a word. My
unknown divinity had been absorbed in q
novel and had only raised her glorious,
velvet brown eyes once or twice to scan
the uninteresting landscape. She, too,
was a musician-a bond Of union between
us that / had been charmed to observe
for she kept beside her and guarded 1t
with jealous care a violin case. Mine re-
posed in the rack.
Suddenly my beautiful vis-a-vis dropped
her book. Hastily | stopped and gave it
to her, and she thanked me with smile
that revealed purest white, rather large
teeth. "Shall we soon arrive at Bale?"
she asked, and / thought what an ex-
quisite contralto voice she possessed. 81
am so tired" She pushed back the loose
waves of rudy golden hair that fell in
profusion round her lovely face. think
it was the hair, which looked a mass of
living gold when the June sunshine fell
upon it, that had first attracted my at
tention.
I'VE have four hours before we reach
Bale" answered, determined, now that
the ice was broken, not to let the flow of
conversation freeze into silence. "You
have had long journey already"
eyes, and | have a weary time before
me. am going on to London"
49, l said eagerly, have l. / am
going to Rome IL am a musician-a
professional You play the violin too?"
''Yes," she answered. Eyes, l play. l
love my instrument"
A strange smile parted the beautiful
though rather heavily nodded lips as she
looked down at the violin case. / wished
she would smile at me in such a manner,
and 1 felt jealous of anything, even in
sensate wood, that took her attention
from me. Doubtless betrayed in my ex-
preston the admiration that / felt. for
she colored family beneath my ardent
gaze; but, TO my relief, she did not
appear annoyed. In fact, she smiled al
most too broadly TO please me, and / be-
gan to fear that she was laughing at me.
Perhaps / felt little hurt, for she COM
posed her features instantly, assuming
her former expression of mournful sad
ness, and seemed inclined to resume her
book.
''The scenery isn't much to boast about
here" l observed quickly. But that's
rather pretty chalet, isn't it?"
YES" she agreed; Il should rather
like to live in house of that description
so peaceful, so quiet, far removed from
the roar of the world" She sighed deep
ly, and l instantly fell to conjecturing
what shadow of sorrow had darkened
that young life. l noticed that when we
stopped at a station she betrayed some
uneasiness and seemed glad when the
BOD ~.
fore, to the conclusion that she was
afraid of being pursued, and | grew quite
excited and determined to defend her at
any cost.
Madame" ] said, rather losing my
head, pardon me if | tell you that / can
see you are in trouble; that something is
causing you uneasiness. Believe me
when / say that | only long to help you;
that you may command my services in
any capacity" / spoke thus, for we
were slowing down, and saw the beauti-
full face opposite me pale. and a restless
sigh escaped the rosy lips. She started
at my words and looked at me earnestly.
would you really help me?" she ask
ed in those low, rich tones that acted on
my nervous system like music. "Ah.
need a friend!'
'Then Godfrey Wilmot is at your
servicep' l cried enthusiastically. Com
mand me to do anything and it shall be
DONE
THANK you" she said. with sigh,
holding out her hand, which l took and
kissed. I'VE are nearing -, are we
not?"
"Yes." / said as the train steamed into
an ugly little station.
81 wonder" she said. 'if you would
mind getting me a glass of water. I'm
SO thirsty"
Delighted to obey her slightest wish, /
few TO the buffet and was absent but
short time. When | returned, my COM
panion thanked me very sweetly, but
barely touched the water. There's a
commotion here" / said cheerfully.
''There are some policemen looking for
thief. ] hear. who is supposed to be es-
Gaping"
At my words my companion sank back
against the cushions
1T is all over with me-" she murmured
''Mr. Wilmot. you said you would be my
friend. The time has come for you to
prove 1t IL you meant what you said''
'What-what do you mean?" / asked.
aghast- Good heayens You are not a
thief?'
sThief, nor she answered rapidly.
"And it's no thief that is being searched
Nor. am a political refugee. / am es-
Gaping to England. the land OF the free
IL / am caught now. death, and worse,
will be my portion. Oh, save me from a
fate dare not contemplate! Save me
now, and I'll bless you forevermorel'
Her agonized dark eyes gazed straight
into mine. her hands clasped mine. as she
poured forth the above confused tale. |
felt at that moment that l would have
faced legion Of Cossaeks for her sake
aye, and fought them, too-deeming it
gain to lose my life for her sweet sake.
i said something to that effect, and she
smiled.
sBut what is it | am to doy' / asked
anxiously. Itch me, and viii do it."
ssYou must only say when the men
come that ] am your sister," she said
quickly. .sThat win disarm all suspicion"