Idaho Springs siftings., 1904-09-10

a Jump Of eight or ten points. Take
my word for 1t. old chap,"
Much Obliged to you. Morris,
Blake took out his memorandum book
and carefully made note of the prof
fered advice. Il imagine you've got
control of the stock. You needn't tell
me. old nan-Ill do my own guess.
ing. We Yankees are great on guess
ing"
Blake ordered his coachman to
drive to the Bishop residence. He
lay back on the cushioned seat and
laughed softly. ITO think that such .
hound is engaged to Jessie Garden! I
fear Miss Garden is too fond OF
money. Wen. moneys a good thing.
but If l were woman | wouldn't
marry Morris il he had billion. And
Johns got enough to buy and sell
him"
The attiage drew up at the Bishop
residence. General Garden greeted
Blake in the drawing 1t was
restful TO contemplate this abode. to
breathe the air OF domestic luxury.
and to contrast it with the frighi ele-
gance of the bachelor apartments
where his recent years had been
spent Blake's eyes wandered a.ong
the walls until they rested on por-
trait-that or Jessie Garden. He paus-
ed in the middle of a sentence. his
eyes riveted on the canvas.
"A portrait of my daughter. Jessie
one of Steinbach's best productions"
exclaimed General Garden. with faith
erly pride. mistaking Blake's amaze
ment for polite admiration she
returned from abroad only few days
ago. Ah, here she comes now!"
As he spoke Blake heard the faint
rustic of silk and the music of laugh
ing voices. The portieres parted, and
Mrs. Bishop entered with Jessie and
her cousin, Edith Hancock. With
old-sehool dignity, General Garden pre-
sented James Blake.
There IS born in every mans brain
the image Of an ideal woman; the
ignis fatuus Of fancy lowering above
the swamps of realism. James
Blake's ideal was dethroned the mo-
ment he looked into Jessie Gardens
eyes he felt the mysterious thrill Of
her presence.
After delightful hour spent over
dinner. during which Blake was in
lively humor. the young ladies left
the general and his guest TO the en-
joyment of cigars. For the first time
in his life Blake would willingly have
sacrificed the soothing delights Of the
weed. He was glad when his host
gave the signal and conducted him
to the drawing-room. where they found
Jessie and Edith awaiting them.
At the generals request Jessio
played several Of his favorite selec.
tons. Edith standing by her side and
deftly turning the music pages for
her. Then they sang a duet; a Ger.
man folk song. Jessie's voice was .
pure coatralto-tender, rich and won
derfully expressive in its timbre.
Blake was passionately fond of music
and. though he had been given iittld
opportunity to cultivate his decided
natural talents. was nevertheless an
excellent singer and a capable critic.
THAT was grand" he exclaimed.
his handsome face aglow with ad.
miration of the music. Il have never
heard Wanderers Nachtleid rendered
more exquisitely. Please favor me
with Der Tannenbaum. will you?'
Willingly" said Jessie. as Edith
smiled her assent. But Der Tannen-
baum is much more effective with a
tenor part You sing. do you not, Mr..
Blake? Something tells me you do
I'm sure Mr.. Blake sings" assert
ed Edith. Come, Mr. Blake. the gen.
eral shall be our audience!"
Il have been charged with singing.
but never by such fair accusers.
laughed Blake. stepping forward. Il
trust the general will not mete out a
punishment to fit the crime. Sing the
English translation and l will do my
best to carry n part"
Blake acquitted himself famously.
In San Francisco clubs and social
circles his clear. strong voice had add
ed to his popularity. but never did he
sing SO well as on that night standirx
by Jessie Gardens side.