Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1902-01-13


fioor, and Elanor did not know that
/ he was the man who played the vio
lin. But that night she found new
note in the solo and the next day
she went about with half-formed
conviction that she would speak to
him before she slept.
Sometimes coming events, even
though intangible, do cast fore
warning shadows. She had just
curled herself up in the freight
when his knock rang against her
door.
"Come in," she called and scram-
bled to her feet.
| He took her at her word and came
| in, closing the door behind him; not
even begging her "to pardon the
intrusion"
II found these in the hall and
knew that they. must be yours he
explained, laying J handful of loose
| leaves On the tabl
"Why thank you. When the girl
rightcd up in here to-day she must
have thrown them cut as trash"
"she made big mistake. They are
good. enjoyed them before I
brought them up. In fact it taxed
my 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 / 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 q
slim package on the table.
"They will be submitted to-mor.
row"
The violinist drew a chair to tho
l,,table and sat down without further
IIpnrley. er
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 fiickered soft
)y, 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.
II II wonder" he said, slowly, "if you
realize what it is to be crowned with
a talent like that. I intend to como
jim often and make you understand
that you are wonderfully-gifted
woman. May n"
II will be glad to have you come,"
she answered with grave courtesy,
N'but I 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 it's right place.
Don't you believe that? Don't you
believe If you were down on your
luck it would help you more for me
to come in with lot of tea-cakes and
roses and help you fix up dainty
tea-table while / assured you that
you were genius and bound to win
out than if i were to come in with
rule and pencil and an 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 that?"
"To 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.
~ beg your pardon"-she began.
"Oh, it is all right" he interrupted
hurriedly. "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
of hesitation he had shown since en-
teripg the room.
III come in and play for you, will
you show me your drawings?'
eyes" she agreed, and added:
"With' pleasure"
"Thank YOU" He held out his
J hand and Eanor put hers into it
\ without moments hesitation.
II was what one might have ex-
pected. Given two lonely young
people with congenial tastes and
spring coming on, it could not well
help but happen. Both had had some
premonition of it from the first. And
the violin was no better than bird
for keeping secrets The trembling
/. a..At 4,