The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-04

to Sir Henry Budd. who could only splutter. in his wrsth. that he washed his hands of the whole affair. Peter Beauchamp 70 longer tried to meet and catch the eye of the lady who had scorned, him. He betook himself to During short cor ititutional between rubbers in the afternoon it was he who meeting Miss Beatrix, kept a naughty front and an indifferent eye. The next morning. the girl was on deck early. Peter made his first appearance at the breakfast table. After breakfast. he walked for an hour in tha company of A charming American. with whom he talked and laughed gaily. especially when pass ing Miss BeatrIx Budd She did the samc with the assistance of the other young man.
 At Il o'clock Peter began to play bridge and continued to do so until o'clock with an interval for luncheon. After tea he waiaed again, but alone. So did Miss Beatrix.
 Again they met somewhat awkwardly at a blind corner, but this time the col lision was none of Peters seeking. He lifted his cap eoldly, apoogized and walked on.
 It occurred to him afterward that the girl had waited for q further apology. but he could not be quite certain. She had certainly stamped her foot as they parted.
 The hour of the concert arrived. It was little more than a recital by the great pianist, who was taking his muscles of steel and his profuse locks to America for the purpose of gain. and the eminent viollnist who was inwardly consumed with jealousy of him.
 A song opened the proceedings. beau tifully accompanied by Miss Beatrix Budd. Then c-.me the violinist, and aft erward the unhappy middle-aged young lady. who found that her good nature had involved her in comparisons which she would have preferred not to evoke. Then tho great virtuoso played to an audience breathlessly silent, and when the encore had been finally refused and the applause had died away. Peter Beau champ stood up to sing.
 Miss Beatrix. beautifully attired. took her seat at the piano just vacated by the great man and rushed into the accom- paniment of the song. She managed to make three more mistakes in the short introduction than she had achieved at her former attempt.
 Peter's face took on look of firm de- termination. and he prepared to battle through to the end. If he was to be made to look like fool before all those people he would look as little like one as possi- bIe.
 His only consolation at the end of the performance was that the accompanist had covered herself with at least as much confusion as she had caused to be thrown upon him, and he was in mood in which nothing would have pleased him better than to tell Ter so if he had had tine chance.
 The chance came a little later. but he did not avail himself of it. The perform CTS sat together near the piano, Peter and Miss Beatrix at opposite ends of lon- settee.
 During d painful performance on the banjo by a very young American gentle man the great virtuoso, who had been soothing the qualms of the spinster lady with graceful politeness, turned to Peter ! and said: 'I like to hear you sing. You use your brain, and your voice is musical.
 But your accompaniment was terrible. If you please. I will accompany you myself in your next song"
 Then Peter risked everything-a second l fiasco, and the probability of offending a man whom he would have given a good deal to know. You do me a very great l honor, signor." he said; but 1 am afraid l it would be sighting a lady if l were 1 to accept"
 1 As you please" said the musician, | turning his back.