Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1905-08-12
WON BY A TUNE


She avoided his gaze.
us what true ~ she murnured.
''That you're engaged to Lord Maple
son ~
Her eyes filled with tears and she
turned toward him passionately.
"No p she said vehemently. He's
asked me frequently, but I've always re-
fused. But Mamma insists, and the
rumor we're engaged is about already
Oh, Mark, Mark - with an outstretch-
ing Of her arms that was irresistible
whats to be done p
He took her in his arms.
"You love me, what's to prevent our
happiness y
"Mother-she insists. Father, know,
would rather | married man of my
choice"
"And | insist on you marrying me y
he cried earnestly. THAT is, if you are
willing to become the wife Of a non
entity r.
She looked up quickly.
"Who is the nonentity r. she asked.
"You, the clever artist or-with gesture
Of disdain-'Lord Mapleson?'
"Then darling" he cried, if your
mother will not consent it must be run
away match. You're sure you don't
mind ntrusting your happiness to me ?"
mo, indeed, Mark, no love you, oh
heaps more than I did two years ago, and
that's something, isn't it p
He admitted that it was, and kissed
her, when some one calling Elsie, she had
to leave Mark strolled back to the
drawing-room with a lighter heart.
Some one was asking Mr.. Renton whether
Jermyn was to play the host shrugged
his shoulders, but the musician at once
interrupted with the remark he should
only be too delighted.
A move was made to the piano, while
all voices hushed as it became known that
the great Jermyn was at the instrument.
He ran through several of his better
know things in succession, playing as he
had never played before. The applause
at his conclusion, unlike most drawing
room applause, was for once sincere.
Mr.. Renton was profuse in his thanks
and then his less genial wife inquired as
special favor, whether he would give
them novelty.
"a novelty" repeated Mark anxious
to please his prospective parent. Cab,
yes | had almost forgotten. To days the
twenty second, isn't it? There is one
thing play once year and always on the
twenty second Of this MONTH"
The last notes of the song were grad
ually dying away, when all at once there
was tense scream from distant corner
OF the room.
All turned and saw that Mrs. Renton
had tainted.
A few days later Mark Jermyn called to
inquire after Mrs Renton, whom it was
understood was seriously ill. The young
fellow was at once shown into Mr.. Rem
toms study, where the millionaire greeted
him cordially.
.My dear Mr.. Jermyn," lie said,
'you're the very man wish to see. You
remember the effect your wonderful play
ing produced on my wife the other even
ing?"
unfortunately" responded the ia
nous musician. Believe me, I'm ex-
ceedingly sorry"
Its not your fault, my boy" he an
swered very kindly. "The event has
brought something to light, which hope
may mean your happiness. | have
learned that my daughter loves you"
Yes" responded Mark, quietly.
"And | love her, too"
'Just 50, just so What was going to
say was this: my wife, it appears, was
once engaged to your father.''
Mark Jermyn looked up in astonish-
ment.
"Yes,' continued Mr.. Renton, "and
from what can hear-of course, this is in
confidence between you and me, it broke
Mark Wegar's heart. My wife Tilted him
for myself, and it seems that, out OF pity,
he afterwards married cousin whom he
discovered had been in love with him for
years. The air you played the other
evening was one Of Wegar's compositions,
was it not?'
"Yes," remarked Mark. my father
left me the manuscripts, with the injunc
ton that it was only to be played on the
twenty-second Of November in each year
the anniversary of what I could never
make out"
"Ah my wife recognized the theme
it was the old love song he used to play to
her and Of which she had been so fond.
The date you mention was the one on
which she broke off the engagement. Old
memories came back to her, and-and"-
Say no more, sir, it's painful sub
ject'
10 be sure, to be sure ! NY wife
wishes me to tell you that, although she
broke your fathers heart, she has no wish
to break either yours or her daughters.
We are both willing you should marry
Elsie'
Some one opened the door just then,
and Elsie Renton, seeing Mark, threw
herself into his arms.
NTW cuTnnrr