Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-05-10

at heart. and"
mo, no; not my father" she inter
rupted. Il mean Mr.. Weston. He ha
tie keynote"
The key note. was more mystified
than ever, but she gave me no chance
to ask for an explanation. She hur-
RED away as if already alarmed at
what she had said; yet it seemed to
me that she regarded me after that
as one who was more in her confidence
than others and to whom she might
look for protection from some inn
pending evil. Still i could not under
stand what she meant by the ''key-
note, and she avoided the subject as
II II were fraught with great personal
danger. When asked her to explain
she trembled and shook her head.
NO one would believe me-" she said.
1T is so strange, so weird. And he
would Kill me. He has threatened to
and know he would"
Your nerves are overwroupht." I
replied. Unless 1 misjudge the man,
he would not know one end of a re-
volver from the other, and this is not
the age for that sort of thing, any
way"
but you don't understand" she in
sisted, laying her hand on my arm
as IL that gave her confidence, but
nevertheless looking about her in
frightened way. "He has the key
note"
That's what you said before" 1
returned, taking both her hands and
holding her in front of me. What
do you mean by it? Tell me frankly.
I'll believe you and I'll help you"
IF | thought you would?' she said.
doubtingly.
She seemed on the point of telling
me her story, but evidently thought
better of it.
Wait" she said 'You shall see
for yourself. He is coming tonight.
and will hide you behind the curtains.
But don't let him kill me! If he tries
to do it. knock him down-brain him
drive him away from the piano at all
cost!"
There was world of pathos in the
earnestness with which she said that.
and for the first time l began TO I'M
derstand the affair. There is a KEY
note to everything, as science has
demonstrated. Just the right chord
will make a glass shiver into million
pieces. If the keynote of the largest
building could be discovered. the
structure might be crumbled into dust.
and II is not an unknown thing for
articles in the vicinity of great organs
TO fall in pieces. Indeed, myself have
felt the sudden emotional thrill that
comes from the striking of a certain
chord.
That evening I was carefully con-
cealed behind the window draperies
when Weston called, and il IS needless
TO say that my interest was intense.
She shuddered as he drew her toward
him, but remained passive in his en-
brace.
Tomorrow" he said, ".,xe will be
quietly married"
"No," she replied, and I could see
that il was only with an effort that
she forced herself To say IL.
But ! insist." he exclaimed. twill
no longer run the risk of losing you,
and you promised yesterday"
I've changed my mind" she an
sWered, shortly.
Have carei" he returned, menac-
ingly releasing her and moving to-
ward the piano.
whether 1t was my presence that in
spired her know not, but for the first
time, rs she afterwards told me. her
spirit was reused and she dared him.
xiii me if you wilt" she cried.
"SinRp the fafnf,,1 f--l,4 Il.
accidentally struck that chord and
saw the effect it had on me have lived
in almost constant fear of death or
insanity, which is worse. 1 have trem-
bled whenever you have touched the
keys, even in the presence of others.
You have played, as il seemed TO me.
on the live nerves of my body and from
very fear forced me to acquiesce in
whatever you proposed, but 1 am
through with it. will not marry YOU
tomorrow or at any other time"
Think again." he said, softly, but
nevertheless threateningly, as he
seated himself at the piano and idly
ran his fingers over the KEYS. Re
member! This is a power / will have
| always. 1 have no fear that will kill
you, but wherever i may find YOU |
can intiict upon you the excruciating
torture that you dread. Even at the
altar this chord"
He never finished the sentence, for
as he spoke she uttered a sudden cry.
Her face became deathly white and she
swayed and shook like leaf sprang
from behind the curtains, but before
l reached him he had struck the chord
again and with moan she collapsed
and sank in heap on the floor.
did not handle him very gently,
and when the others came in, attracted
by the noise, he was in fit condition
to interview doctor. He said when he
left that he would find an opportunity
to carry his threat into execution and
that she never would be able to escape
that chord so long as both he and she
Il ltyad