Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1902-03-13

y dIt JUL III tut IOuku.
, Have you my finished work on
hand? should like to see IL II you
, have. OF course see the papers,
. but it is not like seeing tho original" "
: "Why, yes" Elanor was little
: dashed by his ease, bu. she arose
= to the occasion and pointed out a
slim package ON the table.
They will be submitted to-mor-
> row"
|, The violinist drew chair to the
table and sat down without further
parley.
! "Thank you so much" 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 flickered soft
ly, she stole furtiye glances at his
bent head. lie was not good-lookinR;
the features were too firm and clear
cut, the eyes too eager; but she
liked his face.
He started up at last md stood
with his back to the fire looking
down at her,
II wonder" he said, slowly, III you
realize what II Is to be crowned with
q talent like that. intend to come
In often and make you understand
that you are wonderfully gifted
woman. May II"
81 will 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
ly, 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
luck IL would help you more for me
to come in with a lot OF tea-cakes md
roses and help you fix up dainty
tea-table while 1 assured you that
| you were a genius and bound to win
out than II | were to come in with
a rule and q pencil and nm austere
look and prove TO you that you had
failed to carry out your idea in some
trivial detail?"
Perhaps" she admitted. Then,
| with sudden determination not TO
leave all the nerve on his side. "But
know OF something else that would |
help me even more than tea-cakes
and roses"
what Is that7"
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 IL is sad at
heart"
The young fellow flushed furlously
and faced around quickly toward the
fire.
81 beg your pnrdon"-she began.
"Oh, II Is all right" he interrupted
hurriedly. only" with shy laugh,
only I'm in the hardware business
and never play before people"
There was n short silence before he
faced around again with the first hint
OF hesitation he had shown since en-
tering the room.
III come In and play for you, will
you show me your drawings?"
yes" she agreed, and added:
with pleasure"
Thank you" lie held out his
hand and Elanor put hers into IL
without a moments hesitation.
IL was what one might have ex-
pccted. Given two lonely young
people with congcniul tastes and
spring coming on, II could not wcll
help but happen. Both had had some
premonition OF IL from the first. And
the violin was no better than a bird
for keeping secrets. The trembling
gladness that had fluttered through
ith sweetness ever since that first
meeting, burst one April evening into
full thronted song, then ceased alb
ruptly Elanor felt the blood leaving
her lips when she heard his step in
the hall.
Don't turn up the light" he
begged as he closed the door and
came toward her. II want to talk
to you"
Yet after he had shaken hands and
sat down near her, he left Elanor to
anathematiEe the dumb spirit that
possessed her. in silence.
DO you know something" he be-
gan at last. 81 don't believe YOU
know my name, and know only your
Initials In my thoughts you are al {
ways Ev." g
The cartoonist recovered power OF I
speech with nervous laugh. ,
THAT is easily remodied. My name {
Is ElNnor Valcomb"
"Elanor vnlcomhl Not the niece
OF that old Mise Elanor Eubal Oh. IL
Lordl And | have sworn that
would never marry youi"
We'll" recovering slowly from the {
shock, you needn't"
Needn't" he repeated. "Do YOU ]
think could go on living knowing
thst you were somewhere In the
world and not near youl We've
got to get rid Of it all some way We u
must stand 10y each other" =,
"Ey,' Walton had slipped into the i
'eAt beside her and was regarding her O
81 didn't mean to upset 5
you this way. You understand. don't e
iou2 I've loved you all along | q
meant to give you time" He gathered l'
Up her hands Owkwsrdly 81. YOU un- g
lerStand. l couldn't wait any longer. I
Z Is all right, isn't it?" :
For moment ERnor forgot Aunt \
suba's deteStAbe will. n
Yes" she said, softly ut is all :.
'ight" Il
Ihni mimi H. ,L.lL.. - \