The Savannah morning news., 1903-03-08


that his violin master had once play
ed for the Car in St. Petersburg;
that the Car was graciously pleased
TO remember this and that the ruler
of all the Russians had. because of
this memory, summoned the old man
TO play for him again there in Paris.
But this was impossible. rheumatism
had for weeks bound him to his chair.
The Car must be a pretty decent
sort of a chap, for when he heard the
old man was tied up and couldn't get
down his own stairs what does he
do but send word back to his old mas
ter that if he, the master, couldn't get
down the stairs, why he, the Car,
could get up them. And so he's go
ing up them tomorrow morning. The
old mans as proud as a peacock and
no wonder! He told me about it,
and said he was sorry I couldn't be
there; but it wouldn't do. Then I
looked up at the big transom over
the double doors which used to open
into the back hallway and said
Couldn't 1 look in through the tran
som? meaning joke, but the old man
took it seriously. He's just as anx GUS
to have me see the great Gar do hon
or to him as I am to see it. So he
thought a minute and said: Yes, my
child, 1t might be arranged. You might
put table in that back hallway where
TO one would see it, and then when his
majesty deigns to come and call upon
his humble old violin master why you,
my favorite pupil. could see it all. But
you must keep very quiet.
How Splendid said Florence.
But that isn't the best of it, said
Herbert, coloring vividly as he looked
at her. There's room for two on the
table and I've got leave to take you
ii you'll CO.
And so it happened that Florence
and Herbert sat on the table swinging
their heels in the semi-dark and very
musty, abandoned hallway, the next
day There were no signs of the royal
visitor as yet. 1t was all very jolly
and confidential.
The intimacy of the situation had
begun to work like magic in the brain
of Herbert. He felt as if Florence
were under his protection and-and it
was semi-dark and-she was delicious
when she blushed and-well, Herbert
was very much in love.
But just then the Car came.
They softly clambered up and stood
upon the table, looking on at what was
in very truth most impressive scene
the Car of all the Russians superb
ly uniformed and attended by a brill
liantly accoutred staff. all putting and
blowing climbing up three flights of
stairs to pay respects to the rheu-
matte old violin master.
The tears rolled down the old mans
face as he bent his head and kissed
the Royal Russians hand. The two
en- the table gazed spell bound as the
Car started to speak and-at that
very moment the table gave way.
Herbert landed with a jar and in
sitting posture. Florence, who was at
the end of Fthe table slid for a mo-
ment and struck her head against the
door frame. and she knew nothing
more until she found herself with her
head, which was still ringing like a
bell, in the lap of Herbert. For a sec
ond earthly matters were somewhat
hazy and indefinite. The love-lorn and
sorely distressed Herbert had one arm
under her shoulders and head when
he kissed her frantically and murmur-
| ed, Darling" Her first thought was
of the Car.
II hope he won't think we're
bomb" she said speculatively, if not
dreanlily.
NO. darling, no. He won't darling,
L know he won't" murmured Herbert
| soothingly, Are you badly hurt, sweet
| heart-are you-?'
She came fully to herself and jump
ed to her feet blazing with wrath
mo, I'm not badly hurt" she ex.
claimed in an intense whisper, land
| how dare you?" .
She gave him one malevolent look,
| and, gathering up her hat, put it on
somewhat awry and started for tne
back stairway. He tried to rise, but
sat suddenly and violently down again
| on the floor with an exclamation.
She was in her room near the win
| dow when they brought Herbert in.
| He came in between two porters from
! the hospital where he had gone to
| have his sprained angle bandaged. He
was very pale. and he hoped most
pitifully as the porters helped him
across the court.
Her aunt was amazed when her
niece demanded departure in the ear
| ly morning, and asked why. Florence
went into neither detailed explanation
| nor even the whole truth.
| HE tried to kiss me- she said Sc
verely with an accent on the second
word, which she afterwards considered
was nothing less than lie.
| We'll my dear" said her aunt in
some surprise. inasmuch as she had
already decided that the matter be-
tween the two was as good as settled
| mo, it is not we'll. l can't bear
him. We must 60" And they went
After Herbert's ankle was better he
| left Paris also and went with his mas
| ter to Rome for a season. He worked
| hard and progressed so rapidly that a
! year later he was in America again