The suburban citizen., 1902-11-15

Il QOrrOrS OIL the uuCdung VI VIC
inexplicable were in the ascendancy.
A magnificent piece of workmanship
it was, to be sure, famous since its
completion for its sweet tone and its
wide compass Of expression. Yet 1t
stood there in Mr.. Briggs's parlor ready
to indulge in mocking laughter at who
soever should dare to seek its music.
The laughter in itself was sufficient
to unnerve even the most courageous
scoffer at the possibilities Of ghostdom.
1t was harsh, grating "Ha, ha, ha!'-
such as n merrymaking bedlam will
give vent to, and with as little Occa-
sion for utterance. The longer any
one played the louder the laughter be-
came, until even the boldest would
clasp his hands to his ears and arise
in nervous haste. Another strange
thing was that it did not begin until
the performer touched the note G, con-
tinuing until he ceased playing,
whether that note was sounded again
or not. 1t stopped as soon as the
last echo died away, which caused
more than one to gaze back at the
instrument in shame-faced confusion
"What shall we do with it?' said
Mrs. Briggs, helplessly, after final
effort to play upon it without needing
its ridicule.
"Sell it." replied her husband
promptly.
"No, no, nop' she said. "Father
made me promise upon my knees that
I'd never part with it. Besides, who'd
want it? 1 must have a piano that l
can play upon, for l cannot live with
out music"
"Well, then. I'll send an expert to
examine it-what say your
"Send him, of course. But what
good can he do? The laughter was
not heard until after father died, and
you know that the letter G was his
initiate Of Gottlieb"
ut is a strange coincidence, to be
sure. But G may also stand for
| Gretna," said the practical Mr.. Briggs
"Let's see what the piano-maker will
will discover before we worry further
Then II he cannot remedy the trouble
I'll get you a new one"
The next day the expert came, taking
apart the beautiful instrument and
minutely inspecting every detail in Its
makeup. To their dismay he discov
cred nothing out of the ordinary, in
forming them instead that it was the
| best-made instrument he had ever ex
amined. His efforts proved failure
obviously; for as soon as he had put
1t together again it stood ready to emf
that blood-curdllng laughter in the
face Of any and every performer.
The instrument was made in Ger
many by the father Of the cultured
Mrs. Briggs. Gottlieb Vandofen hat
been one Of the leading manufacturer
Of pianos in Berlin, also owning large
manufacturing interests in Paris ant
London. He was reputed as fabulous
ly wealthy, yet at his death the entir'
bulk Of his fortune did not exceed
S3,0O0,OOo in American money. Thii
was to be divided equally between hi
daughter, Mrs. Briggs, and his son
| hdIl v NunuOlNh' n bfhSt VI hlcdppOAhN
ment was experienced by the former
though she tried to persuade hersel
that she had known so little abou
her fathers business affairs that per
haps she had overestimated his fnan
eial worth.
The son was absent in Australia ant
It's neghboring islands when the fathe
was attacked with his final Illness
falling to receive the letter bearing
the news Of bis approaching demise
Three months previously he had gon
thither, led by his rowing disposition
and the desire to see that part Of thu
world. The two had had lengthy
conversation previous to Karl's depar
ture, but Gretna had not learned thu
purport Of ii, neither did size let 1t con