Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-10-19
Cupid's
Mechanism
By WALTER RICE

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He stood listening. It was the
most delightful sound that can reach
a 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 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 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, a moment later, lady
came out of the room whence the
sounds had come. She was tall and
gracefully built, well-dressed, obvi-
ously American and undeniably pref
ty. 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 a
pretty woman without an introduce
ton, if she gives one a decent ex-
cuse.
Her eyes, in addition to being
bright and intelligent, were agreeable,
and he bowed. II fancy I have to
thank you for an unusual pleasure"
he said with a smile. at isn't often
/ hear my compositions played SO
charmingly. In fact, to tell the
truth, it isn't often that I hear them
played at ALL"
doubt. Then her face flushed lit.
tie with pleasure. "Are you, then Mr..
Charles Barnard?" she asked.
81 am that much neglected individ-
ual," he said ''In this case, however.
a 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-
IT, snty, and he was about seven years
older; but they were instantly aware
Of the community of interest.
81 am very fond of music" she said.
II think I may say, without affecta-
ton, am passionately fond OF it, and,
of course, admire your 'Danse des
Fees l suppose everybody does,
who knows it,"
perhaps So" he said with kind
of cheerful cynicism. "That is to say
it is admired by about score OF init
mate friends"
She opened her eyes widely. 1T
is not popular?" she asked.
Never likely to be-"
"Why"
Heaven alone knows:" he said
carelessly. Between ourselves l sup
pose it isn't good enough"
eff you were not so delightfully."-
frank, should believe you were prac-
ticing the piscatorial art" she said
with laugh.
Il admired your playing of it," he
remarked bluntly.
She locked at him with pretty
little pucksr of doubt. please don't
make game of me-" she said. Il had
no idea the composer was within ear
shot"
He insisted on the excellence of her
playing, and she continued to look
doubtful, as if she were not quite
sure that he was not making game of
her, than which nothing was farther
from his mind.
But they became friendly. There
were mountains to be climbed, and