The Savannah morning news., 1901-12-06

tea-tabie while I assured you that
! you were a genius and bound to wiz
out than if | were to come in Will
a rule and a pencil and an austere
look and prove to you that you had
failed to carry out your idea in some
trivial detail?'
Perhaps" she admitted. Then, with
a sudden determination not to leave
all the nerve on his side But l know
of something else that would help me
even more than tea-cakes and roses, y
What is that"
ITO have you come in with your vio-
! lin and play some of those delicious
! solos that make one forget that any
thing mean or trivial ever existed: that
keeps telling one over and over that
life is grandly sweet after all, even
though it is sad at heart"
The young fellow flushed furiously
and faced around quickly toward the
fire.
Il beg your pardon" she began.
"Oh, it is all right" he Interrupted
hurriedly. only" with shy laugh.
only I'm in the hardware business
and never play before people"
There was a short silence before he
faced around again with the first hint
of hesitation he had shown since en-
tering the room,
IF I come in and play for you, will
you show me your drawings"
Yes" she agreed, and added: with
pleasure"
THANK you" He held out his hand
and Elanor put hers into 1t without a
moments hesitation.
1t was what one might have expect
ed. Given two lonely young people
with congenial tastes and spring COM
ing on II could not we'll help but hap
pen. Both had had some premonition
of it from the first. And the violin was
no better than a bird for keeping Sc
crets. The trembling gladness that had
fluttered through its sweetness ever
since that first meeting, burst one April
evening into full throated song, then
ceased abruptly. Elanor felt the blood
leaving her lips when she heard MS
step in the hall.
Don't turn up the light" he begged
as he closed the door and came to-
ward her. II want to talk to you"
Yet after he had shaken hands and
sat down near her, he left -Elanor to
anathematize the dumb spirit that pos
sessed her. in silence.
DO you know something" he began
at last. II don't believe you know
my name. and ! know only your ini-
tials. In my thoughts you are always
EV"
The cartoonist recovered power Of
speech with nervous laugh.
That is easily remedied. My name
is Elanor Valcomb.
"Elanor Valcombl Not the niece
of that old Miss Elanor Euba! Oh.
Lord! And | have sworn that 1 would
never marry you."
We'll" recovering slowly from the
shock. you needn't"
Needn't" he repeated. DO you
think l could go on living knowing
that you were somewhere in the world
and not near youi We've got to get
rid of II all some way. We must
stand by each other
Elanor started out at the twilight.
She was thinking of a certain scene
in which she had looked down upon
her dazed relatives from a high and
lofty pedestal.
"Ev," Walton had slipped into the
seat beside her and was regarding her
ruefully. Il didn't mean to upset you
this way. You understand, don't you?
I've loved you all along-I meant to
give you time He gathered up her
hands awkwardly. Il, you under
stand. l couldn't wait any longer. 1t
is all right. isn't it?'
For a moment Elanor forgot Aunt
Euba's detestable will.
Yes" she said, softly. 1T is all
right"
That night the violin solo was one
wild burst of riotous gladness.