The Colfax chronicle., 1904-11-05
AFTER
THE PLAY
By MRS. GEN. GEORGE z. PICKETT



Mrs. Lester assented, leaning bacl
listiessiy. Most plays had lost fnteres
for her. There had been time whel
she had fancied that the drama of lif
never would pale In its charms. Tha
was long, long ago. She must have beer
some one else living in different world
What the devils that?"
The carriage stopped with sudder
JOLT The footman opened the door.
Don't be alarmed, sir. It's only Q
drunken man ran out under the horses
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 he
was lifted from the street. Mrs Lester,
seeing 1t. sprang forward. Her husband
caught her arm
Don't be silly, Myrta"
She sank back against the cushions
a2d 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
sgain-no, not that face, but glorified
face that seemed to have died into this
one
IL was at the American minister's in
Paris that she saw it. The breath of the
nowers swept dowa-faintly through the
years and the hit of the music beat upon
hep heart.
fou have found wonderful pianist"
she said to the minister.
Am not In luck ian American. too
30 doubly valuable"
The diplomat had represented his
country in many royal courts. but ,un. |
IKE his confreres, he had not lost his |
nne 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 II In his estimation because he
wore on his chain ruby that queen
nao given him.. or because princesses
nad been proud to learn Of him, or be-
cause an empress had permitted him
TO dedicate a symphony to her and
sent for him when it was played in the
court theater and let him kiss her
J>V<1'-Q nauu. L
The touch of genius is the brightest 1
Jewei In the worlds whole collection of
gems" she said. Ii
Neither did the minister regard It
as lowering that his brilliant vounr t
countryman should convert his musi. 4
cal notes into bank notes of a high
pitch. He held the democratic notion / /
that Il a man did not have money he | a
should earn 1t, and there could not be h
more beautiful way. d
The Nightingale will not let anyone a
else play her accompaniments. a
Myrta experienced a sudden un. o
acknowledged pang Of jealousy of the o
4 Will Introduce him and Won ab.u
have one dance with him." a.
Please be careful how you introduce ii
devotees of any of the arts HI
Q her. said Mrs. Langton; in impres.
I'VE protest. Il am her chaperon. Do IL
lot involve my position in greater re- h;
than is necessary" lI
Mrs. Langton was a chaperon do. til
lghfful to the soul of youth. Myrta's hi
ather and mother had known her on,v pl
2 america. II they had seen her in VI
'aris they might have selected mora fu
igid duenna for their daughter when 10
ne developed longing to have her W,
o'ce trained by Marchesi. In that GO
vent the young American pianist WI
'ouid not have spent his mornings sit
laying accompaniments while she fo
ing, or performing his own wonder. an
u creations while she listened N : II
satinc trance and her chaperon sat
In admiring delight. WI
Once they went to hear the Nightin. co,
ale sing. pa
'un, envy you,-I envy you." said ele
yrta, clasping her hands in despair co,
would give the world for voice like ths
at ''"' ba,
Just then the eyes of the accompan. hir
were turned toward her and a won ver
Gus light that was not of music
aped to his face. I
"oh. pity you,-l pity youtD she the
ought, clasping her hands in ran. mu
re- Not all the gifts that ali fbe tha
ds have bestowed upon all the worlds ligf
the universe are worth one look like new
at" 'o'A i'Ae :.
'Myrta." said Mrs. Langton. nert wor
Il have letter from vonr emo
her. He and your mother will ba s
re on the 18th and am to have Won foil,
10y to go back with them ON the ban
e steamer. He asks very part,cy. turr
~ II have kept you at your music star
! away from social acquaintances b
glad that my conscience is At rest over
that point | can assure him tb.t beei
have met only musical people who like
you along with your lessons not
uA ne wants you to do something ever
portant for him.
! never did anything for mana h,,
et his desk and lose his papers ana "A
try him for money. should tbinl 20 ma
had ANYTHING Of Importance to ~ fiows
e he would go after somebody else up
'n' that last, last night. when N. yard
es OF the farewell rang heart .bresrs amas
y on the moon-filled air. hen.
am coming home to America nert were
:. VIII you welcome me?r famil
ne clasped her hands and ,ookaa and
answer with shining. happy ewes supp
took of the chain with the r,,hv erina
PAT 1t around her neck. picki