Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-02-13

any honesty to part with them"
Nonsense" she laughed. They
are only in the rough"
Have you any finished work on
hand? / should like to see it if you
have. OF course l see the papers,
but it is not like seeing the original -
Why, yes" Elanor was little
dashed by his ease, but she arose
to the occasion and pointed out a
slim package on the table.
They will be submitted to-mor-
row"
The violinist drew a chair to the
table and sat down without further
parley
Thank you so mucb,' he said,
earnestly as he opened the wrap
pings.
Elanor turned on the light and sat
down in the big chair opposite. There
really seemed nothing else for her
to do.
While he pored over the drawings
In silence and the fire fickered soft
", she stole furtive glances at his
bent head. He was not good-looking;
the features were too firm and clear
cut, the eyes too eager; but she
liked his face.
He started up at last and stood
with his back to the fire looking
down at her
Il wonder he said, slowly, eff you
realize what it is to be crowned with
talent like that. / intend to come
IN often and make you understand
that you are wonderfully-gifted
woman. May n"
II win be glad TO have you come"
she answered with grave courtesy,
"but | prefer criticisms to compli-
ments They are more helpful"
Nonsense" he responded, prompt
", you will get criticisms enough
from the outside What one wants
from ones friends IS something to
keep the heart in its right place.
Don't you believe that? Don't you
believe Il you were down on your
uck il would help you more for me
20 come in with lot of tea-cakes aud
roses and help YOU fix up a dainty
tea-table while | assured you that
you were a genius and bound to win
out than If [ were 10 come in with
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 detail2"
Perhaps" She admitted Then,
with a sudden determination not to
leave all the nerve on his side: But
! know of something else that would
help me even more chan tea-cakes
and roses"
what is that?"
ITO have you come in with your
violin and play some Of those deli
cious solos that make one forget |
that anything 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. il is an right" he interrupted /
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
II hesitation he had shown since en-
.ering the room.
III ] 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
iand and Elanor put hers into it
without moments hesitation.
II was what one might have ex-
,ected Given two lonely young
people with congenial tastes and
pring coming on, il could not well
lelp but happen. Both had had some
,remonition of it from the first. And
he violin was no better than a bird
or keeping secrets. The trembling
badness that had fluttered through
Is sweetness ever since that first
Meeting, burst one April evening into I
ull throated song, then ceased abb q
uptly. Elanor felt the blood leaving
er lips when she heard his step in
he hall.
Don't turn up the light" he {
egged as he closed the door and I
anne toward her. Il want to talk
o you"
Yet after he had shaken hands and q
at down near her, he left Elanor to
the dumb spirit that S
assessed her, in silence. e
do YOU know something" he be- Q
an at last II don't believe You u
now my name. and ! know only your 2
iitials. In my thoughts you are al o
avs Ev."
The cartoonist recovered power OF +
1eech with q nervous laugh.
THAT is easily remedied. Ny name
Elanor Valcomb."
"Elanor Valcombi Not the niece
that old Miss Elanor Eubal Oh. y