Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-06-13
ABILENE WEEKLY REFLECTOR ABILENE KANSAS JUNE 49, 9TWE PAGES

no was, and how she had all day vainly
endeavored to make him eat and rest
She did not often pday, but she die
now, hands clssped, eyes tight shut
with her thick lips working away a
words asking God for success. Sht
knew what It meant to her water.
"Ah, mdn water will die, 30 Got
grant him what ask"
The first piece was over, and thu
slight applause died away; then for .
moment there was the silence OF ar
expectant audience. A murmur OF greet
ing passed around as her water came
on the platform to conduct the orches'
ira. He looked at Freda, and she
prayed the more. 1t came and went; t.
her 1t was true melody. What! nc
sound Of appreciation heard, only :
slight buzz which betokened disap'
polntment? Felix stood hardly a mo-
ment before going slowly on the plat
form. Freda in her anguish rose to hel
feet, shaking like q leaf In an autumn
breeze She held the back Of her seal
firmly with one hand, then cried, Win
an anguish Of mind: Cannot you ap
plaud?"
People raised their heads, some cram
ing their necks to see who was speak
Ing. u,
applaud, for Hlmmel's sake! II
Is my fathers piece! He will die! Ap'
plaud. a.,
Some programmes futtered to tne
ground, and a few feminine HANDS,
touched by pity, feebly answered mel
appeal. 1t only made 1t worse by III
hollowness. Freda clapped Violently;
but what was that when, save for the
few feeble responses, all was silent?
A few minutes later the two went ou'
crestfallen and utterly miserable
Neither spoke until their rooms were
entered, then the old man turned, with
a huge moist drop running down NIL
cheeks. to Freda, saying, with a shake
Of his head:
"There is no Hlmmel, no God, or else
all melody would not have gone.
have none in me, 1t was all mistake
NV wife, where is she? | thought she
was in Hlmmel but that can't be- iol
she would have told the angels to make
me known, to make my music melody
All learnt from the sun and beautllu
sky when looked at them Is not true
there is no melody in those elements
nor in me. thought that by the stud!
Of them they would reflect what was II
me, So they have. I'm their mirror
and that shows there is no melody mo-
Himmel. Cute nacht, Freda, sleel
we'll" r..
He did not sleep, nor did she. ne
night was spent in prayer, and MS II
thoughts Of more music. 1t could no
he helped. for habit had made 1t secon'
nature to compose whenever quit
alone. Ere the dawn came he had rul
through a short prelude for violin.
The evening Of the third day alte
this night Of agony Freda stepped ont'
| the platform feeling she had to gall
fame for her father by his piece
melody from the brain Of thas ma
whose life, whose very soul, was music
Forcing herself to be calm. she pega
the prelude, trying to compel the publ
to appreciate it. At first they were az
tracted NV the girl, who seemed I
stand so naturally and free from stag
craft then slowly by the music Fell
had posted himself by the tiny green
room door, where he could see all. Bot
were wondering would 1t succeed 6
was failure to mock them yet ono
more. So great was the tension Una
thew dreaded the last chord. 1t cam
TO an end. She dropped her hand VIII
the violin, and looked forth AS
hurmuring stream a sound aros'
which grew each moment until 1t seem
ed to drown all else. The audience ros
from their seats, applauded the playe
and called for the composer Fell
came forward and looked towards n
: daughter. Then he forgot ALL even IN
cheering, and took Freda--kleine freu
in his arms and kissed her.
"There is a Hlmmel. and melody, io'
: 7 was wrong. Freda is there, and ma
sent it to me. and through you to IN
} world uu Himmel-melody! | am happy!