Sharp County record., 1903-08-14

rood. l enjoyed them Detore l
brought them up. In fact it taxed
my honesty to part with then"
Nonsense" she laughed. They
ore only in the rough"
'lIaye you any finished work on
hand? / should like to sec it il you
have. OF course | see the papers,
but it is not like seeing the original"
"Why, yes" Elanor was q little
dashed by his ease, but she arose
TO the occasion and pointed out .
slim package on tAs table.
"They will be submitted to-mor-
row"
The Niolinist drew chair to the
table and sat down without further
parley..
Thank you so much" he said,
earnestly, as he opened the wrap
pings.
Elanop turned on the light and sat
down in the big chair opposite. There
really seemed nothing else for her
TO- do.
While he poret oven the drawings
in silence and the fire ficksrrd soft
ly,. she stole furtive glances at his
bent head. He WAS not goOd-looking;
the FEATURES were too flpp. and clear
cut, the eyes too eagerl but she
liked his face.
He started up. at last and. stood
with his back to the fire looking
down ut her.
II wonder" ha ssid.. slowly. III you
realize what 1t IL to ba crowned with,
talent like thGt. ! intend to. come
IN often and make you understand
that you are q wonderfully-gifted
woman. May II"
u will be glad TO hsye you come
she answered with gnaye courtesy.
"but | prefer criticisms to comph--
ments. They are mope 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 II you were dawn on your
luck it would helP, YOU more Tor me
to come In with 8. lot Of tftea-cakes and
roses and help, you tx up a dainty
tea,table while / assured you that
you were genius and bound to win
out than if | were to come in with
a, rule and pencil and TN austere
look and prove to you that you had
failed to carry cut Your idea in some
trivial detail?"
Perhaps" she admitted. Then.
with sudden discrimination not to
leave all the nerxe on his side:. "But
l know Of some thing else that would
help me even more than tea-cakes,
and roses"
What is thatt"
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 oAs oven.
and over that hfe 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"-she began.
oh, it Is all light." he interrupted
husriedly. "Only," with shy laugh,
"only Pm in the hardware business
and never pasy before people"
There was q short silence before he
faced around again with the first hint
of hesitation he had shown since en-
terlng the room,
vi I 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 coneeniall tastes and
spring coming ON, it could not well
help but happen. Both had had some,
premonition of it from the frst. And
the violin was no better than bird
for keeping secrets. The trembling
gladness that had fluttered through
its sweetness ever since that first
meeting, burst one April evening into
full throatcd song, then ceased Gb-
ruptly. Elanor felt the blood. leaving
her hips when she heard his step in
the hall.
Don't turn up the light" he
begged as he closed the door and
came toward hen NJ want to, talk
to you"
Yet after he hodl stekea 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. ~ don't believe you
know my name, and know onlSyour,
initials. In my thoughts you are al.
ways EN."
The cartoonist recovered power Of
speech with a nervous laugh.
THAT is easily remedied, Nv mama