The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-10-07
Cupid's
Mechanism
Bx WALTER RICE

S2S251S1S1S7S1S151 55S251S15151S959
He stood listening. It was the
most delightful sound that can reach
musicians's ears-one of his own
compositions being played by COM
plete stranger. 1t is all the more de-
lightful when the composer is not en-
titled to the adjective popular" and
has not often submitted to the ex-
perience.
On or two people, who knew what
they were talking about, used to say,
that If Charlie Barnard had not been
born SO enormously rich, he would
have achieved something considera-
BILE in musical art. AS it was, he
had written one or two pieces of real
merit, which, however, not being de-
signed to tickle the public ear, were
known only to a small band of con-
noisseurs.
He stood there listening with a
smile of pleasure on his face. The
piece was being played with remark
able accuracy and not a little taste,
and his hands unconsciously beat
time to the rythm, while his head
nodded approval.
He had come to Switzerland for
ramble, and had not expected to be
! greeted by the sound of one of his
own works. Presently the music
ceased, and, moment later, lady
came out of the room whence the
sounds had come. She was tall and
gracefully built, welldressed, obvi-
ously American and undeniably pref
~. Married" reflected Charles Bar
nard, "but"-on second thought-"a
widow"
Their eyes met. In a small Swiss
hotel it is possible to speak even to
pretty woman without an introduce
ton, if she gives one decent ex-
cuse.
Her eyes, in addition to being
bright and intelligent, were agreeable.
and he bowed. Il fancy I have to
thank you for an unusual pleasure"
he said with smile. st isn't often
hear my compositions played so
charmingly. In fact, to tell the
truth, it isn't often that hear them
played at ALL"
She looked at him for moment in
doubt Then her face flushed lit
tie with pleasure. "Are you, then Mr..
Charles Barnard" she asked.
81 am that much neglected individ-
nal." he said. "In this case, however.
o very fortunate person"
They felt an instructive liking for
one another, that odd sense of COM
munity of interest, which very
young people mistake for love at first
sight. They were not exactly very
young; she was perhaps eight-and-
twenty, and he was about seven years
plder; but they were instantly aware
Of the community of interest.
y am very fond Of music" she said.
7 think l may say, without affecta-
lion, am passionately fond of it, and,
Of course, I admire your 'Danse des
Fees.' suppose everybody does,
who knows it,"
perhaps So" he said with kind
II cheerful cynicism. THAT is to say
i is admired by about score Of inti-
nate friends"
She opened her eyes widely. ut
s not POPULAR" she asked.
Never likely to be-"
"Why"
Heaven alone knows!" he said
.arelessly. Between ourselves sup
pose it isn't good enough"
IF you were not so delightfully."-
rank, should believe you were prac-
icing tho piscatorial art" she said
with laugh.
Il admired your playing Of it." he
remarked bluntly.
She looked at him with pretty
little quicker OF doubt please don't
make game of me-" she said. 81 had
10 idea the composer was within ear
hot"
He insisted on the excellence OF her
playing, and she continued to look
doubtful, as If she we're not quite
ure that he was not making game Of
ler, than which nothing was farther
from his mind.
Bet they became friendly. There
we're mountains to be climbed. and