The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-04-08

time. Take it, and let me have my
own way, won't you, Mrs. Bird? As
l tend him and help him, poor fellow,
so pray that a woman's hand may
help the man love should he need
it."
She turned slowly and mounted the
stairs. Mrs. Bird looked after her a
moment irresolutely "Humph." she
muttered, that gals too good for this
world
.'You are Detter-ah, I'm SO glad.
Now, lie still, or l shall be angry"
"Angry, you, cara mia. All, but no
how can an angel be angry?"
Mary smiled. "Your Illness has not
made you forget your compliments, !"
she said, lightly.
Mary MacAllister had stolen into
the sick mans room, after taking off
her hat and jacket, and had found
hum up and dressed, and sitting in
front of the fire. The freight shone
on his handsome face, so drawn and
pale, on his hands, SO thin and white.
Mrs. Bird had during the day given
off some of her views" and Carlo
Terrini knew for the first time what
Mary MaeAllister had done for him
in the hour of his extremity.
Compliments What words of
mine can be called compliments, after
what you have done for me?''-
Mary started "Ycu know"
eyes, the good Signora Bird has told
me-
Then she ought not to have done
so. 1t is nothing nothing, I repeat.
And you must not think of it again,
Or"
She paused and the man looked at
her inquiringly. "Or what, Mees Mac
Alleester?"
"Or I shall not be able to come and
see you-or-help you any more"
But" said Carlo, weakly, IL do
not understand. It. is but the truth.
You have saved my life, mia cara mia,
l must thank you'll must pour out
my gratitude to you-fron my soul"
He stopped. exhausted for a mo-
ment, and then went on excitedly: II
II have been thinking of you, long
Ing to see >you--to look on you-to,
perhaps-be able to take your little
hand-so-and kiss it and let fall my
taars-as of blood, on it. You have
saved my life-you have done more
YOU have inspired mel have been
dreaming a picture of you, as | lay
so high. so pure, so true, and the mel
ody came. heard, somewhere
away, up above me, in Gods air. a
host chanting your praises; the music
they sang was the melody my soul
has sought so long. | put it in my
work. That work at last will be COM
piete. 1t will triumph for none can
resist such music as this"
He rose abruptly with sudden
strength. Then he staggered across
the room to where violin lay in it's
case. Mary MacAllister uttered a cry,
and laid restraining hand on his
arm.
you will kill yourself, if you exert
yourself like this"
The violinist took up his instrument
and crept back to his chair
mo. it is life to me to play, and
you must hear. Then you shall tell
me if it is good enough for my opera"
He seated himself and began to
play. The girl, seeing remonstrance
useless, quietly dropped into seat
and listened. For a few moments she
heard only music she had heard him
play before-in the days when he was
well. Then suddenly her lips parted
and she sat breathless From the
instrument poured melody almost
unearthly. The man played as If in
spired. 1t was as if voices from an
other world were speaking. On. on
he went-from a paean of praise to
"a frenzy of passion, from a hurri-
cane of hope to dirge of despair.
And then On again, higher and
higher, faster and faster. the liquid
melody poured from the violin, until,
Of grandeur, the music stopped and
the bow fell from his nerveless hand,
while the musician sank back pant
ing, exhausted, but triumphant. in his
chair.
So engrossed had he been with his
beloved music, SO enraptured sad
been the girl with the marvellous
strains that Carlo Terrini had evoked,
that neither had heard the footsteps
that had mounted the stairs, nor seen
the form that now stood in the door
way. Gently the girl chided the poor
violinist for his great exertion, sweet
ly she babe him good night and rest.
slowly she turned from him to the
door. For a moment she gazed, as il
looking on the dead. then with a cry
of passionate gladness she few to
the outstretched arms, crying Dick"
And as the lovers passed from the
room and the door closed behind
them Carlo Terrini's head fell, and a