The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-06-03

MAURICE CRAMER sat before the
lvI piano in his studio, his fingers
wandering in harmonious random over
the keys. Though passionately fond OF
music. the giving of lessons to untutored
voices had come to be drudgery to him.
save in one instance-to the pupil whose
coming he now awaited. He heard her
step in the corridor Instantly he
ceased playing and opened the door to
admit Christine Vaughn-a girl as fair
and fresh as a summer morning.
Where is your music?" he asked
after a moments conversation.
Il haven't come to take lesson" she
replied, a shadow coming into her
young eyes. 81 have come to bid you
long farewell. Mamma and leave for
Paris tonight"
Tonight" he repeated. vaguely.
forcing a calm constraint to cover his
overwhelming surprise. Isn't 1t very
sudden Journey"
Yes; mamma hasn't been feeling well
Of late, and the doctor ordered an ocean
trip. She learned a day or two ago that
some friends of ours in Boston were to
sail tonight and so we made arrange
ments to accompany them. We are quite
rushed in getting ready on so short no
tice. Mamma doesn't even know l am
here" she added, naively. Il slipped
away to tell you. l shall miss our les
sons"
$50 shall l." he replied in a calm. even
voice, but with painfully throbbing
heart
There followed a little desultory con-
versation in regard to her trip. bali
agreement TO correspond and then
Christine left the studio.
At the age OF IS. Christine Vaughn
though frank and impulsive. was fully
matured In character. She did not be
long to that class Of mollusks so fire.
quent among girls whose nature depend
upon time and circumstances for deyel.
/ opment. Although. not possessed o
genius or more than ordinary talent. sh,
was a lover OF music. Perhaps just a
this time her devotion at its shrine re
ceived an impetus from the fact that sh'
was greatly interested In her teacher.
Maurice Cramer. impassive. cool ant
forceful. was Just the sort Of man I,
appeal to her proud and impetuous ma
lture. She had reached that point in he
attachment for him which was on tn
verge OF ground marked dangerous.
and was so dimly aware OF the fact tina
when the silent but strong hand Of he
mother intervened and snatched he
away, she scarcely realized where sh
had been.
Mrs. Vaughn was a wise and subt1
woman and well understood her daugh
tier. When she saw the tendency @
Christine's thoughts and Cramer's al
tentions, she offered no opposition seem
ingly. She allowed the singing lesson
. to continue and was most gracious an
courteous to her daughters instructo
when he came to the house. Had sh
shown the slightest objection to the ir
| timacy, she knew that Christine woul
be his warmest champion. so she sy.
tematically treated him as she did an
ordinary caller.
IL Cramer was equally wise. He clearl
understood that Mrs. Vaughn did not II
clude him In the horoscope she he'd ca
for her daughters future. He was 4,
too proud to fan these passing sparks
Christine's preference for him into
glowing flame, as he could easily ha'
done Knowing that in the mother
eyes he was an Inferior who wou
show marked presumption in aspiring
be anything more to her daughter thi
her teacher OF voice." he took infini
! pains to maintain dignity and coldne
of demeanor he was far from feelin
He dared not hope that Christine Low
him. Her fancy for him he thought
be the first passing impulse Of an u
trained heart. ''the primrose that fell
make way for the rose"
Mrs. Vaughn, though understand
his attitude. knew the danger OF tru!
ing to the strength OF pride which
often totters at the touch Of love.
4 consulted her brother. Gen. Laurel
who was her adviser when she need
IN one. He appreciated the position q
es the necessity for immediate action.
~ Julia" he said. impressively, "a,
military man, I should say there