Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-28
While YOU. poor dear, have to toll and

while you, poor dear, nave 70 toli dliu
work. for me. -s.,.,..ss -,
out...I vex you with all sorts of useless
Questions Play to me-. Noel. 1t always
seems to smooth the. wrinkles out OF
everything when you play
Noel took up her violin with heavy
heart.
She had begun to take uessons just one
happy year before the panic came ana
was only permitted to keen 81 value -" .,
instrument through the kindn SIS OF ore
of Mr.. .Dervent 8 cred tors. VINO noicea
the Histful expression on the little 81. $
face when her violin was put up for sale,
and bought it in and gave -it~to-her:
She had practiced as faithfully as she
could In the moments snatched from
her work. until one day an old German,
who lived in the house, offered to give ..er
lessons twice week In exchange Tor the
English she was to teach his daughter.
To her her violin was the embodiment
of all her past life. It represented the
happy home-days; it recalled her mothers
voice, her fathers caresses. and all the
sunshine and gladness of life as free
from care and anxiety as theirs had been.
| It had been a family treasure for years.
and Noel felt whenever she drew the bow
across its strings. Is if she were coaxins
from 1t some new recollection of the past
Amy watched her lovingly as she stood
by the window, her graceful figure sway
ing to the passion of the music, she she
played the little girls favorite Spring
Song" with all the feeling Of a born
musician.
She had a delicacy of touch. a certain
"singing quality" to her music that never
failed to charm her little sister into a
forgetfulness Of her trouble and sooth
the pain that sometimes seemed unbear-
able.
To Noel, too, it usually brought the
relief of forgetfulness.
But tonight it semed only to accentu-
ate the dull ache in her heart. and long
after Amy was wandering through the
delicious gardens Of sleep. she lay, star
ing wide-eyed, into the darkness, trying
to solve the difficult problem Of paying
a hospital bill without money.
In a flash the face of the old violin-col-
lector rose Before her. with its little
twinkling black eyes, and his whining
voice rang in her ears: ~ on will glf me
de refusal Of de Gagliani for two hun
ded,: Is 1t not? Two bundled and ifty?''
and she clenched her hands and shut her
eyes tight; the thought took possession
of her.
To part with her beloved violin! No,
it was impossible. Not even for her own
little sister could she make this sacrifice
could not even think of it. And yet the
| thought came again and clamored for
acceptance.
Two hundred and fifty dollars! What
| a small sum to pay for the only happiness
of ones life! And yet. to sacrifice this
happiness might mean filling Amy's life
with joy and gladness. How selfish sne
was! Amy would do much more for her,
she was sure: and she thought OF the
| long, accomplishing days, and Of how lit
| tie of anything but suffering they bad
held for the little lame girl.
And so, at last. with the smile OF TIL.
self-conquered on her lips. Noel fel
asleep.
This isn't the morning for your lesson
is it?" asked Amy. opening her eyes 4
see Noel with the precious violin-cast
under her arm disappear through thu
| door.
I'll be back In Just minute. dear. and
! she walked resolutely downstairs anc
knocked on the old collectors door.
'ssYou promise not to sell It without my
consent?'' she pleaded when the bargain
was made.
%, yes. yes said the old man. finger
! ing his treasure with all the eagernes'
| OF a miser. s.
'..And you will let me buy It back a
1.-the same price some day II II should eve
have the money? You promise that. don
! you -
S.n.Yes. yes said the old man again inn
patiently, and Noel, with one fearful
backward glance at her beautiful violin
LEFT the room with a heavy heart.
Amy lay in her little white cot In
ward of the hospital. her ewes closed ant
her cheeks so pale thatgNoG, who sat be
side her, waiting for the nrst look o
recognition when she returned i to con
seriousness. whispered anxious1y to til
nurse, .sIs she AL right, do you think r.
/ ..As right 40 can be, Z Z. answered Ia
nurse cheerfully. Children always TAX
l.chloroform well. and sho5v1ll be- hersel
/ a8ain In asfew minutes An to the op@a
Il ton, II issho,suds %. h0 g success. lt-Xn