The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-02-09
BENTON, BOSSER PARISH THURSDAY, FEBRU 8


sing I'd be devoid Of interest in his
eyes. He regards me as scientist does
his specimens"
She paused for reply. Receiving
none, she continued:
did you ever hear any Of his music
al compositions?
"Yes They are exquisite"
'"They have all been dainty. simple
little numbers. but his last work Is far
different. 1t Is classical"
HAS 1t been published?"
mot yet. He has just finished 1t. Til
tell you what Well do. He IS coming
for me tonight you know. When we
are driving this afternoon We'll stop at
the house and get the score. know
where it is."
In the evening when Arnold came
Beth told him that she had the manu-
script Of his music.
II am not in the mood to play it to-
| night" he said, hesitating.
You are not to play It," interposed
| Beth. Il have heard it In all Its differ
ent stages of composition. and have 1t
at my fingers ends
She seated herself at the piano and
commenced playing. She was not an
artist in the rendering Of instrumental
music. but she had great power Of ex-
preston and wonderful faculty Of In.
terpreting the composers thoughts.
There was power and strength In
the opening bars which melted into a
| ,P I'D
finally glided into soft reflective minor
strains. From this was evoked phan-
tasmagoria of all the human passions.
Dark. fierce, turbId dreams. an impas-
stoned recitative, thrilling tragedy. a
| graceful, insinuating subtlety Of
thought. a song Of peace. Joy, SORROW
all were expressed In the tenderness Of
melody refined and subdued. The theme
was noble, the composition strong, -the
emotion genuine and the intensity dra
matte.
The grandeur OF the work was soft
ened and made human by an exquisite
~ beautiful strain that from back
ground Of sustained harmony ever oc-
CURED
When the last note died away there
was q momentary silence like that
which follows benediction. Edith's
face was ablase with passion.
1.-The music divine" she said in low
tone.
Arnold rose and crossed the room,
his face pale with excitement and agi-
tation.
''Teli me-" be said to Edith. and
there was something In his voice that
made her heart beat quickly. what
you think OF it"
1T is hard to dissect such music as
that" she replied softly. There was
a color tone in every note. I felt as
If Were in vast garden of flowers,
overcome by thousand scents.
Arnold looked at her curously.
Il did not know" he said. that you
were poetic or imaginative. nor did
!: dream" turning to Beth. that your
fingers could be SO expressive"
Il have sat in the dark many time
listening to you as you played it." she
said. Il could have played 1t from
memory without the notes. 1t is Ar
mold himself" she murmured in an
aside to Edith. Arnold as he lets nc
one see him. He composed 1t in bro
| ken fragments. one day a snatch oi
gay melody. then weird little cadenzs
| or dainty gavot, according to bis
mood, but always he played most
beautiful little melody that seemed t.
be ever with him. The song Of tht
heart, nicht wahrY Then he blended
all these compositions so skillfullJ
that a beautiful and complete harmony
, resulted"
Beth" laughed Arnold. "you are (
, very precocious child!"
{ The precocious child gave furthe
r evidence Of her claim to the appella
, ton by asserting that the music ha(
its charms when heard at distance il
, the dark.
q III you and Edith will retire TO tn
little reading room l will play it agail
j.. and convince you I am right" sh'
: said.
Z They acted upon her suggestion, ant
4 Beth again rendered the passionate
$ music. smiling softly to herself.
l II fancy this time" she mused. ''tha
! Miss Wilmot will imagine herself II
: a garden Of love instead Of gardel
. of flowers"
a When she had finished the compost
. tion her hands wandered idly over tn
? keys In fragments Of melody.
When they entered the music room
4 Beth looked up quickly. and then, witt
n a mischievous laugh. burst into
. grand. triumphant wedding march.
q There was a half whimsical, who'll,
loving expression in Edith's eyes a
J, she kissed the young girl
"You are dear girlv' she murmured
"And a good guesser?" she queried.
"Such good guesser. Beth, that yo'
shall sing at our wedding"
Diplomatic.
did you see anything that particu
l larry struck your fancy when you wer
looking round the furniture shops tt
dayy' asked young husband Of hi
o lately made wife on her return from
Il tour Of furniture inspection.