The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-08-21
AFTER THE PLAY.

BY MRS. GEN. GEORGE E. PICNEi, (Copyright, 1904, Daily Story Pup. Co.l
 "Beastly play" grumbled MT. Lester as he sat straight and stlf in his car riage on the homeward way
 Mrs. Lester assented. leaning oach listlessly. Most plays had lost inter est for her. There had been time when she had fancied that the drama of life never would pale in Its charms. That was long, long ago. She must have been some one else living in 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 a drunk man ran out under the horses feet and got knocked down."
 Served him right" growled MT Lester.
 The light from a lamp fell full upon the Ehastly face of the unknown as he was lifted from the street. Mrs. Les ter seeing 1t, 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 up- on the drama which so long ago had ceased to be charming rolled back and she saw again-nc. not that face. but a glorified face that seemed to have died into this cns.
 It was at the American minister's in Paris that she saw 1t. The breath of the flowers swept down fainuy through the years and the lilt of the music heat upon her heart.
 You nave found a wonderful plan list" she said to the(ministef.
 Am not I in luck?-an American. too. so doubly valuable"
 The diplomat had represented his country in many royal courts. but. un- like his confreres. he had not lost his fine old democracy. inherited through Ia long line of ancestors who had bow ed neither tr royal king nor Sonanza king. His young god of music did not appreciate in his estimation because he wore on his chain a ruby that t queen had given him, or because princesses had been proud to learn of him, or be- cause an empress had permitted hiru to dedicate a symphony to her and sent for him when 1t was played in the court theater and let him kiss her jewel hand.
 The touch of genius is the brightest jewel in the worlds whole collection oi gems," she said.
 Neither did the minister regard it as lowering that his brilliant young coun. tryman should convert his musical notes into bank notes of a high pitch He held the democratic notion that il man did not have money he should earn it. and there could not be a more beautiful way.
 The Nightingale will not Ietl anyone else play her accompaniments."
 Myrta experienced a sudden un' acknowledged pang of jealousy of the Nightingale.
 q 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. Langston, in impress sive protest. q am her chaperon. Dc not involve my position in greater re- sponsibility than Is necessary.
 Mrs Langton was a chaperon de Nghtful to the soul of youth. Myrta'! father and mother had known her only in America. If they had seen her 1T Paris they might have selected more rigid duenna for their daughter wher she developed a longing to have he voice trained by Marchesi. In tha event the young American pianis would not have spent his morning. playing accompaniments while sh' sang, or performing his own wonder