The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-23
THE CHORD.

Il - OE1V kUDe
It was evident that she did not love
him, and yet it was announced that she
was to marry him. I was only guest
in the house, but the affair troubled
me and 1 sought long and earnestly for
an explanation of it.
So far as I could judge, Mary had a
distinct aversion to Ralph Weston
rather than an affection for him, but
nevertheless he seemed to dominate her
life. She feared him, but for some rea-
son chose to keep secret the cause of
that fear. I could see her almost shrink
from him when he called, but she dared
not refuse to see him or break the en-
gagement, which her father had sane
toned.
What was the secret of his power? I
asked myself. Why did she not go to
her father-easy-going blind old Mark
Tottenham-and tell him she could not
marry this man? 1 could see no reason
why she should sacrifice herself Her
father was wealthy and Weston was not
Surely the latter had no hold on the
old gentleman that made such a mar
riage imperative.
On the contrary my observation led
me to believe that Mr.. Tottenham
thought he was acting for the best in
terests of his daughter. He liked Yves
ton-who could be extremely entertain
ing when he wished, although usually
rather taciturn-but Their was nothing
to indicate that he had his heart set on
the match.
Yet Mary shudered when her accepted
sutton called, then greeted him with
with him to the little reception room,
from which from time to time strains
of music were waited.
Weston was a musician OF no mean
ability and occasionally entertained us
all with selections on the piano, but the
fitful way in which he played when
they were alone together impressed me
as rather strange.
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in those circumstances, but seemed TO
run over the keys idly, improvising, or
giving a few bars from one air and
then q few from another.
Once when he was doing this
thought I heard a wild, pleading cry
of ooh. don't" and then a half-smoth-
cred shrek, and when he played for US
all the frightened look in Mary's eyes
was enough to haunt man for life
Apparently, however, l was the only
one who noticed it.
Finally, overstepping even the Hber-
ty accorded to an old friends. 1 spoke
freely to her. I told her it was plain
she did not love him, and asked her
why she did not go frankly to her
father, tell him so and break the en-
gagement The bare suggestion seem
ed to brighten her. and she shuddered
as she answered:
..I<ilI your I exclaimed. "Nonsensel
Your father has only your welfare at
heart and"
Mono; not my father, she inter
r1pted. ''I mean Mr.. Weston. He has
the keynote
The keynotei I was more mystified
than ever but she gave me no chance
to ask for an explanation. She hurried
AWAY as if already alarmed at what
she had said, vet it seemed to me that
she regarded me after that as one VINO
was more in her confidence than others
and to whom she might look Tor pro-
lection from some Impending evn
Still could not understand what sne
meant by the keynote" and she avoid
ed the subject as if it were fraught
with great personal danger. When |
asked her to explain she trempled ana
shook her head.
att is so strange, so weird. And he
would kill me. He has threatened TO
and I know he would"
ssYour nerves are overweight. / re-
plied UNLESS 1 misjudge the man. ne
would not know one end of a revolver
from the other. and this is not the age
for that sort of thing
sisted laying her hand on my arm as
If that gave her confidence, but never
theless looking about her in fright
ened way. He has the keynote.
THAT'S what you said before" re-
turned. taking both her hands and
holding her in front of me. What do
YOU mean by it? Tell me frankly. III
believe you and I'll help you"
IF I thought you would" she said,
doubtingly.
II will I asserted, earnestly. ''Tell
me-"
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 hin-drive
him away from the piano at all cost"
There was a world of pathos in the
earnestness with which she said that,
and for the first time 1 began to under
stand the affair.
There is a keynote 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 should be discov-
cred the structure might crumble into