The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-03-11

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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 L see the papers,
but it is not like seeing the original"
"Why, yes" Elanor was a 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 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 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.
81 WONDER" he said, slowly, IF you
realize what it is to be crowned with
a talent like that. / intend to come
in often and make you understand
that you are a wonderfully-gifted
woman. May ~"
II will be glad to have you come"
she answered with grave courtesy,
'but l 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 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 l assured you that
you were a genius and bound to win
out than if | were to come in with
a 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 a sudden determination not to
leave all the nerve on his side. but
l know of something else that would
help me even more than 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.
II beg your pardon began.
"Oh, it is all right" he interrupted
hurriedly. "Only," with shy laugh,
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-
tering the room.
IF l 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
hand and Elanor put hers into it
without moments hesitation.
1t 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
gladness that had futtered through
its sweetness ever since that first
meeting, burst one April evening into
full throated song, then ceased abb
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
anathematize 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."
The cartoonist recovered power of
speech with a nervous laugh.
THAT is easily remedied. My name
is Elanor Valcomb."
"Elanor Valcombl Not the niece
of that old Miss Elanor Eubal Oh,
Lordl And l have sworn that 1
would never marry you'll"
WELL" recovering slowly from the
shock, you needn't"
Needn't" he repeated. "Do you
think / could go on living knowing