New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-31

But I'll unlock the gate yet And all that
afternoon. solitary in wood. he played his Vlo-
! In-not the gay melodies with which he de-
lighted the country foil, but music of the great
! Masters. Geving in his mind for it, half-for-
| gotten as it was. and finding it with a rare
| delight.
The long. hot afternoon waned. the sank,
and the dusk fell softly over Contradini's Para
| disc. Sir Charles and his daughter having
| dined were seated on the stone terrace that ran
| along the front Of the old house They had
| been silent for some time when. in the stiffness
of the summer evening. sound startled them.
Who's playing a violin?' demanded Sir
! Charles. OF no one in particular.
Who was it but Contradini. snug behind
! bush on the far side OF the lawn? II the gate
Of Paradise would not open-weH as long as
/ q man had legs. ne could climb And play
he would. in spite Of angry gentlemen.
Sir Charles would have sought out the tres
/ passer. but his daughter begged him to stay.
| servant who appeared below was ordered back.
/ and Contradini undisturbed. went on with his
! playing.
Perhaps the mystery OF the unseen musician.
| the quiet Of the summer evening. and the moon
| light getting into Contradinis fingers perhaps
/ these gave the music race. Certain it is that
I ne earned the right 10 stay awhile In his Para
| disc. casting spell on all who heard him. Very
/ fun and sweet and low came the music. as n
! lover whispering Contradini. behind his bush.
the old brown fiddle tucked under his chin.
played on. forgctfu Of all the world-except the
! girl he had seen feeding pcacocks that morning.
| In short. the 70, lish fellow was in love- and SO
/ played as never he had played before.
/ At last ne stopped and. returning the violin
gently to its bag folded his arms and waited
/ FOR what would happen.
Sir Charles sent a servant to bring in the
| musician. but Coutradini shook his head. He
/ wanted a better invitation than that. SO Sir
/ Charles himself crossed the lawn. with PhGbe.
! his daughter far too excited to remain quietly
! behind close at his heels. Sir Charles. grave
| and stately. thanked lin for his music. said
/ nothing about the prosecution OF trespassers.
| and held out five shilings.
But Contradini had not made music for five
| shillings. not yet was he Robinson. So Sir
| Charles. the fine old gentleman. begged him to
| be his guest to the extent OF some refreshment
and this he did and enjoved himself hugely.
Have you far to for your Iodging?" asked
Sir Charles. when he parted from his guest
| but half a mile
But the village"-began Sir Charles. sorely
puzzled
| Il sleep-at the Hotel Haystack- Quoth Con-
tradini. laughing.
And so he did. despite Sir Charles's protests
and offers of a bed in his own house. And very
soundly. too. he slept. for. except when 1t rains
there Is no better lodging In the world than
your haystack.
| 1t Is needless to tell Of the evenings Contra
! DIM played behind his bush. Sometimes driven
by the necessity of obtaining money for food
| Cror he would take nothing from Sir Charles)
he would wander away. but never to be absent
more than a few days The permission he made
rule OF asking before he played was never
refused. but not always did he talk with Sir
| Charles-yet always with his daughter Phoebe
And there grew up between them the prettiest
| flower Of love. planted by ContradinIs music
but summed into full radiance OF blossom by the
merry whimsical wholly lovable personality of
the musician Sir Charles sunk In after-dinner
reverie. and soothed by soft music would often
nod and nod-and through oil time this has
| been the lovers happy chance
| But when the summer had nearly gone for
many DAYS Contradini did not come; a week
went by. and then another. and the rain began
to drop from gray skies and the leaves to fall
So autumn passed. and winter and the won
Ger OF the spring; and Sir Charles almost forgot
the wandering musician. mentioning him but
rarely. Only his daughter remembered him
always. but mentioned him not at all And she
knew he would come again
| For Contradini with the gate of Paradise