The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-10
AFTER CHARITY CAME LOVE
By MARY WOOD

pected. Would she have time she Won
dered, to go down for drink between
| dances?
Pardon. mademoiselle.'' a pleasant
voice said courteousy. She turned
startled face. All! 1t was the young
man whom she had noticed talking to
Mrs. Van Tassel. She had wondered
vaguely whom he might be.
Il am Mrs Van Tassefs cousin" he
said, and thought you might like some
thing cool to drink
Anice stretched out her hand eagerly.
II am not 'mademoisele' she laughed,
only plain miss. But have been wish
ing for something to drink, and it was
very kind of you to think of it,
Iryings eyes twinkled as he an
sWered gravely: Pardon my mistake.
But are not all musicians madam or
'mademoiselle? 49,.
The girl glanced up at him saucily.
THAT is only after they become great"
she said, with decision. land /, you
see. am still very SMALL She stood I'D.
Yes. she barely came to his shoulder
"You have new standards of measure
ments," he retorted gayly. When I
heard you play, was numbering you
among those elect-even as st. Cecilia
herself
She shook her head soberly. ct am not
t-lsnever will be-a real musician
"Then what are you? What do you
90 3 ne persisted.
The girl flushed guilty. 81 play ac-
compartments she faltered.
And T. he said boldly, ''sing. Will
you play my Accomplishments some time?"
she smiled in enigmatical fashion.
,Pefhaps, she murmured. But see
| they are looking up here. 1t is time to
play again You must go down. Yes" as
you must indeed
But l Will see you again." he pro-
tested. Il must see you
Again she smiled. Perhaps
| Irving Ogden stood rather moodiy in
| a corner of his aunt's drawing-room.
What a bore dinner parties were anyway
he said to himself. That was the nui-
sance Of visiting. You had to meet such
slew of people for whom you did not
care a hang, while the one you wanted 20
meet kept out of the way.
! from which 1T may be seen that Mr..
ogden was in no pleasant frame of mind
The events of the afternoon still ranked.
He had fastened up to the balcony after
the last dance only to find st. Cecilia
vanished as If by magic, and Mrs. Van
Tassel could not or would not tell him
anything about her.
AS the remembrance of tantalizing
smile came back to him he cursed him
self for his stupidity. He might at least
nave asked .ner neE name, Wnlle now
His aunt's voice recalled his duties as
a guest Irving, let me introduce Miss
ECorbyn, your dinner partner"
He turned courteously and found him.
self looking down into pair of laugh
ing blue eyes. -"Mademoiselle, you?'' he
Istammered.
II am very glad to meet you-abain-
Mr.. Irving Ogden Anice said demurely.
But tell me what it all means" he
implored when they were safely started
on the first course and partially screend
|by the rose branches which formed the
center table decora ton.
Ut MEANS she answered serenely.
that did it for charity. You see. I was
trying to wheede some money out of my
brother for my poor children at the home.
He was teasing me, and he said it was
all very well to talk when 1 never gave a
dollar that I had earned myself. He bet
me cool hundred that I could not earn
even five. Then Mrs. Van Tassel's music
disappointed her at the last moment, and
I heard about it, and she promised not
as well as Fred's hundred. And the chill
dren will have an oh-be-joyful Christ
mas" she finished triunaphantly.
And you did 1t all fur charity" he
said softly II wonder if you would do
something for me-for charity. You re-
member what asked you about the &C
Commandments" He looked at her ca.
gerly.
Anice dropped her lashes and wave OF
color crept up to meet them. 'Perha ns, y
she murmured.
And she did, but it was for love.