Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1904-11-30

nice-looking boy he was, and saw
in minute from the way the two
looked at each other that they were
sweethearts-I have seen that
same look pass between Elsa and Carl
many times.
See this old violin, Fritz" she said,
eagerly. I'VE must bring Papa to
look at it, And out they went.
hand in hand.
They were away so long that |
made up my mind they were like all
the visitors, and that something else
had caught their attention, so that
they had forgotten me-Snd l was
sorry, for the girl was so like Elsa
wanted TO look at her again. But
was wrong.
Back they came again, and this time
not alone. Following them came
man and woman, and although the
mans face was furrowed and his fair
hair plentifully silvered, l knew him
at a glance. CAS- if anything in this
world could ever make me forget!)
He was Carl!-my Garland wonder
Of wonders, the woman walking by his
side was the real Elsa-the one | had
mourned as dead. In fash l guessed
the truth. This other Elsa, with the
dancing eyes, was she for whom I
crooned the lullabys long ago in the
little home, and for whose sake /
had been a willing sacrifice; l had no
need to hear her call the other Elsa
Carl's Elsa-mother.
Father" she said, pointing at me,
Il want you to look at this old violin
1t must be like the one you used to
have, that mother says you sold to save
her life-the Stradivarius you could
never find again. Do you see the plate
on this cabinet-'Antonus Stradivarius,
1892"
Can you imagine my feelings, with
Carl-my very own, unforgotten Carl
looking straight at me? Would he
know me, after all these years? Vain
ly I tried to swing a little, that the
might see the scar on my back that
come there the night of the accident,
but 1 could not move.
Suddenly l saw his dear eyes fash
with the tender, loving look l remem-
bered so well, and his face went white.
''Elsai' he cried "Mein Colt! it
is the little sweetheart at last"
Well, there was a commotion then,
you can well believe. Carl rushed off
like wild man to find the superin-
tendent CT the museum, and the two
Elsas cried in each others arms.
The boy? Well, he got rather excit-
ed and walking UP to me, said, very
grand and earnest, Say, old fellow,
do you know what's happened
You're found, and you're coming out
of that case il double-quick time. Herr
Schillings, who is director of the con-
servatory CHS arm is just as we'll as
it ever was, thanks to the money you
b1 fought him) is going to have you
back ard play on you again, Does all
that interest you and disturb your
dreams, old Antonius Stradivarius,
1892
Matters turned out very wonderful
ly. Carl soon found the superintend-
ent, and dragged him in front of my
case, telling him my story. He was
very much interested, and telephOned
at once for a certain Herr Ludwig
Walberg, whom it appeared was now
my owner, the man who had purchased
me from Carl being Herr Walberg's
brother, and dead for many years. l
| had been left in the museum because
| my present owner, not wishing to sell
me, had not known what else to do.
He came after time, and Carl offered
| him so much money for me that if
| told you the amount you would have
| hard work believing me truthful; but
| Herr Walberg refused every offer He
sympathized with CARTS desire to re-
| gain possession of me, yet out of re-
| spect for his brothers wish that
should remain always in the museum
where ] had been placed he said he
| could not think of selling me at any
! price
He was obstinate, / was in despair
and Carl's face was like lead. Finally
Carl asled-so longingly-to be al
! lowed to play on me once more.
could have jumped for joy when
heard old Ludwig say yes. If he had
a heart, this funny, wizened little old
man-and his love for his brothers
memory looked like tiff he had ever
loved and suffered and lost, 1 promised
myself that my cause and Carts was
won.
Softly began to talk to him. 1 tolG
him in my own way land such way
it was, for the children of the master
violinmaker are well nigh divine wher
they sing with their hearts) of my
love for Curl and his for me; of the
old days; Of Elsa and the little home
and the bitter sorrow that parted US
of the joy that might yet be.
Carl nestled his chin closer and closer
to me as l sang, right on the spot where
his parting tears had fallen that awfu
day long ago, and my voice reached
out and grasped the heart-strings O
Herr Walberg. working my will with
them, until the quiet room rang will
| harulCnv