The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1902-10-14
EVERY EVENING SHE SAT IN THE BACK
PARLOR WHILE HE PLAYED.


PARLOR WHILE HE PLAYED.
lovely summer evenings, the musician
feeling a sort of stimulus from his
unwearying but silent auditor Then
came a ripple in the placid current of
his rustic experience. One morning
after he had finished his practice Mrs.
Humphreys requested a moment of
speech with him. He assented. won
dering what she could want. She was
the incarnation of prose and country
responsibility of the narrow but in
sistent sort.
'I've got to say something to you,
Mr.. Partridge. 1t isn't very nice to
have to mention it. But, though Hetty
is smart, she's only girl and only
used to country ways. She used to
like to visit with friends nights. but
now she don't show no disposition to
do so. 1t may be the music. and that's
all. But she's changed since you came
She's moody at times and then again
kind of giddy and excited I've watch
ed you, and / can see that you don't
take more than ordinary notice of Het.
But when / found this in her room
yesterday 1t made me do some think
ing. and l made up my mind it was
time to speak to you. Look at thatr'
She unfolded a white cloth and
showed square of deep yellow silk
with several bars of music embroider-
ed in each corner. In the middle a
large "P" was outlined in the same
black silk.
Mr.. Partridge took the square, exi
amined the musical bars and nodded
his head. Then he looked at Mrs.
Humphreys with mildly inquisitive
air.
"You seem to know them musical
figures" said she severely. "Have
they got any meanings?
"W ~ yes This Is from a Scotch
ballad Gould you come back to me,
Douglas. DouglasY" He sang the
words softly '"rhis is from Carmen
He sang again "Si tn m'aimes. Esca.
milo" "Then this is from The Bed
ouins Love Song The last is a pas
sage from "A Pastoral Symphony l
practice"
The ingenious young man Redeemed
under the sustained gaze of Hetty's
mother.
Its not just fancy in me-" she de-
clared. "That poor child's in love"
well, that isn't such dreadful
thing, Mrs. Humphreys, is it? Miss
Hetty is about eighteen or nineteen.
and girls usually do fall in love about
that time"
I'm not blaming you. But you don
mean to say that you have any serioL.
feelings for my daughter do you, Mr..
PartridgeT She spoke with a red face.
but fierce determination.
"Good heavens, nor exclaimed the
musician, with an explosive emphasis
that carried conviction. "What-what
have to do with itT
She put her forefinger on the large
funereal "P." up stands for Partridge,
don't itT
He flushed with annoyance. but there
was no gainsaying that 1t did
at must all be mistake" he pro-
tested. 81 never see her alone except
when she is around when play even
ings, and l don't see her then. She
likes to listen quietly and then go
away. 1 am perfectly innocent"
Her expression had softened, though
she still looked worried. Il don't blame
you. Mr.. Partridge, but you can see
that 1t must be stopped"
He did some quick thinking. Il can
go away. l meant to stay two weeks
longer. but l can get off in a day or
two
Three days later Hetty drove him to
the station. Her mother could not OPP
pose this last devotion. She saw him
on the train. 81 am ever so much
Obliged for those lovely evenings Of
music" she said cheerfully. and he
could not but admire her bravery.
He hesitated a moment and then
said. II would really like to have the
sofa pillow, Miss Hetty"
She looked at him open eyed. then
asked quickly, "How did you know
anything about it?
"Oh. saw it one day." he replied
evasively. 81 know all the airs. of !
course, but l shouldn't have guessed
1t was for me only for the p"
She burst into a merry fit of laugh
ter. did mother show that to you?
Upon my word. that wasn't for your