River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-10-06
AFTER
THE PLAY
By MRS. GEN. GEORGE z. PICKETT
Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Co.,

90 EASILY play" grumbled Mr.. Les
ter, as he sat straight and stiff
in his carriage on the homeward way.
Mrs Lester assented, leaning back
listlessIy. Most plays 'had lost interest
for her. There had been time when
she had fancied that the drama OF LIE
never would pale in it's charms. That
was long, long ago. She must have Deen
some one else living in a different world
What the DEVILS that?"
The carriage stopped with a SUDDEN
jolt. The footman opened the door.
Don't be alarmed, sir. It's only
drunken man ran out under the norses
feet and got knocked down"
Served him right" growled Mr.. Les
ter.
The light from a lamp fell full upon
the CHASTITY face of the unknown as ne
was lifted from the street. Mrs. Lester,
seeing it, sprang forward. Her husband
caught her arm.
Don't be silly, Myrta."
She sank back against the cushions
and the carriage rolled on.
The black curtain that had fallen upon
the drama which so long ago had ceased
to be charming rolled back and she saw
again-no, not that face, but glorified
face that seemed to have died into this
one.
It was at the American minister's In
Paris that she saw it, The breath of the
flowers swept down family through the
years and the Tilt of the music beat upon
her heart
You have found wonderful pianist"
she said to the minister.
Am not in luck?-an American, too,
so doubly valuable"
The diplomat had represented his
country in many royal courts, but, I'M
like his confreres, he had not lost his
fine old democracy inherited through
long line Of ancestors who had bowed
neither tOrOyal king nor bonanza king
His young god of music did not appre-
ciate it in his estimation because he
wore on his chain a ruby that queen
had given him, or because princesses
had been proud to learn of him, or be-
cause an empress had permitted him
to dedicate a symphony to her and
tent for him when it was played in the
court theater and let him kiss her
jeweled hand
THE touch of genius is the brightest
jewel in the worlds whole collection of
gems" she said
Neither did the minister regard it
as lowering that his brilliant young
countryman should convert his must
cal notes into bank notes Of a high
pitch. He held the democratic notion
that if a man did not have money he
should earn 1t. and there could not be
a more beautiful way
The Nightingale win not let anyone
else play her accomplishments"
Myrta experienced a sudden I'M
acknowledged pang of jealousy of the
Nightingale,
Il will introduce him and you shall
have one dance with him"
"Please be careful how you introduce
fascinating devOtees of any of the arts
to her." said Mrs. Langton, in impress.
sive protest. 81 am her chaperon. Do
not involve my position in greater re-
spOnsibility than is necessary"
Mrs. Langton was a chaperon de-
lightful to the soul of youth. Myrta's
father and mother had known her only
in America. IL they had seen her in
Paris they might have selected a more
rigid duenna for their daughter when
she developed longing to have her
voice trained by Marchesi. In that
event the young American pianist
would not have spent his mornings
playing accomplishments while she
sang, or performing his own wonder
full creations while she listened in a
beatific trance and her chaperon sat
by in admiring delight.
Once they went to hear the Nightin-
gale sing.
ooh, 1 envy you'll envy you!" said
Myrta. clasping her hands in despair
Il would give the world for a voice like
that"
Just then the eyes of the accompan-
ist were turned toward her and a won
drous light that was not of music
leaped to his face
"Oh, l pity you'll pity you!" she
thought, clasping her hands in rap
luIS. 4NOI al TIE SlICS tlldI oil TIE
gods have bestowed upon all the worlds
of the universe are worth one look like
that"
'Myrta," said Mrs Langton, next
day. Il have a letter from your
father. He and your mother will be
here on the 18th and [ am to have you
ready to go back with them on the
next steamer. He asks very particu-
larly if have kept you at your music
and away from social acquaintance. l
am glad that my conscience is at rest
on that point. l can assure him that
you have met only musical people who
help you along with your lessons. l
think he wants you to do something
important for him."
Il never did anything for papa but
upset his desk and lose mis- papers and