River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-05-05
The Way to
Mammals Heart
By BELLE MANDATES
GCopyr4ght, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Coz

Copyright 1904, by Daily Story Pub Coz
MAURICE CRAMER sat before the
NI piano in his studio, his fingers
Wandering in harmonious random over
the keys Though p2ssiOnately fond OF
music, the giving of lessons to untutored
voices had come to be drudgery to him,
save in one instance-tO the pupil whose
coming he now awaited. He heard her
step in the corridor. Instantly he
ceased playing and opened the door to
admit Christine Vaughn-a girl as fair
and fresh as a summer morning.
Where is your music?" he asked
after a moments conversation.
Il haven't come to take a lesson" she
replied, a shadow coming into her
young eyes. Il have come to bid you
long farewell. Mamma and | leave for
Paris tonight"
'To-night!" he repeated vaguely
forcing a calm constraint to cover his
overwhelming surprise. Isn't it very
sudden Journey"
Eyes; mamma hasn't been feeling we'll
of late, and the doctor ordered an ocean
trip She learned a day or two ago that
some friends of OURS in Boston were to
sail tonight and so we made arrange
ments to accompany them. We are quite
rushed in getting ready on so short no.
tice Mamma doesn't even know l am
here" she added, naively. Il slipped
away to tell you. | shall miss our les
sons"
so shall l." he replied in a calm, even
voice, but with painfully throbbing
heart
There followed a little desultory con-
versation in regard to her trip, half
agreement to correspond and then
Christine left the studio.
At the age of IS, Christine Vaughn,
though frank and impulsive, was fully
matured in character. She did not be-
long to that class of moIlusks so fire.
quent among girls whose nature depend
upon time and circumstances for devel-
opment. Although, not possessed of
genius or more than ordinary talent, she
was lover of music Perhaps just at
this time her devotion at its shrine re-
ceived an impetus from the fact that she
was greatly interested in her teacher.
Maurice Cramer impassive, cool and
forceful. was just the sort of man to
appeal to her proud and impetuous ma
ture. She had reached that point in her
attachment for him which was on the
verge of ground marked dangerous, 4"
and was so dimly aware of the fact that
when the silent but strong hand of her
mother interviewed and snatched her
away, she scarcely realized where she
had been.
Mrs. Vaughn was a wise and subtle
woman and we'll understood her daugh-
ter. When she saw the tendency of
Christine's thoughts and Cramer's at
tentions, she offered no opposition SEEM
ingly. She allowed the singing lessons
to continue and was most gracious and
courteous to her daughters instructor
when he came to the house Had she
shown the slightest objection to the in
timacy, she knew that Christine would
be his warmest champion so she sys-
tematically treated him as she did any
ordinary caller.
Cramer was equally wise. He clearly
understood that Mrs. Vaughn did not in
clude him in the horoscope she had cast
for her daughters future. He was far
too proud to fan these passing sparks of
Christine's preference for him into
glowing flame, as he could easily have
done Knowing that in the mothers
eyes he was an inferior who would
show marked presumption in aspiring to
be anything more to her daughter than
her teacher of voice" he took infinite
pains to maintain a dignity and GOODNESS
of demeanor he was far from feeling
He dared not hope that Christine loved
him. Her fancy for him he thought to
be the first passing impulse of an I'M
trained heart, ''the primrose that fell to
make way for the rose. .
Mrs. Vaughn, though understanding
his attitude, knew the danger of trust
ing to the strength of pride which so
often totters at the touch of love- She
consulted her brother, Gen. Laurent,
who was her adviser when she needed
one. He appreciated the position and
the necessity for immediate action.
Julia" he said, impressively, "as a
military man. l should say there is
nothing so effective as removal from
station There is danger in propinQuity
and opportunity. Make occasion for
prolonged trip abroad"
1t was no difficult matter for Mrs.
Vaughn to convince her physician that
an ocean voyage was essential to her
state of health. Christine, though be-
wildered at the suddenness of the jour
ney, saw no hidden motive. They would
be gone but year, and perhaps an abb