The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1905-09-23

nun. w neu he lalu uoWn tue NlullL,
Jack said:
"Thank you. But if you had chosen
you might have played still better.
''You think, then, that only paid you
half hearted compliment ??
A clock striking reminded them that
the situation had reached an embarrassing
stage. The stranger appeared to look tc
Jack for the next move
"When you came in, said Jack, with
hesitation, .'you said something about
shelter. have only one bedroom here,
but that is al your service.
'Sir, - cried the other, lis there an
other man in London at this moment who
would do as much for an absolute stranger
MANY, hope, said Jack.
''Not one, | solemnly believe. | will
accept shelter, but not your bed. This
couch will serve my turn perfectly. You
can trust me
Jack made up the fire, brought pillow
and rug, and left his curious guest to
rest. He himself lay awake for some time
in condition of wonder, not unmixed with
vague excitement. When he slept it was
profoundly and to an unusually late hour.
He rose to find his guest departed. His
music had vanished, and in its place was
the stranger parcel.
At first he was too overwhelmed for ac-
tion; he could do nothing but blindly suffer
under his misfortune. His landlady was
able to give him no information beyond the
statement that she had heard the front
door close before she got up. Her curios-
ity as to the contents Of the parcel was
greater than her appreciation of Jack 5
loss He told her angrily to open it and
satisfy herself that he had been woefully
tricked. Under the string she discovered
a note, addressed simply to "My Enter
tainer. 1t ran thus:
Il have not stolen your work, but
merely borrowed IT, If you will meet me
at , clock outside the Shamrock restau-
rant hope to convince you Of my integri-
~ In the meantime perhaps you will
accept the contents of my parcel as a guar
auIee Of my good intentions, the more par
licularly as the weather is cold The gar
ment was honestly come by.
As Jack 5 eye reached the close of this
extraordinary communication a cry from
his landlady caused him TO look up. She
was examining, in an attitude of intense
admiration. magnificent fur-hned over
coat
You don't seem pleased '' said the
woman
Don you suppose my music was worth
more than lhis?' he said
You know best sir, of course; bu, il
that oyerceat worth penny it's worth
ESQ know, because my poor man was
in the line
II don want his overeoat, gruaned
Jack Then, glaneing again at the note,
he frightened up 'I'h run round aud
see Nellie, he said
Nellie listened to his story with wide
open eyes, and fewer interruptions than
might have been expected When he had
finished, she said:
''You must keep this appointment, and
if were you l d wear the overcoat,
II will if you u come with me.
But you II be expected alone.
Never mind; want you TO see thi,
extraordinary person,
And the missing music, said the
gih. 81 shall ike him, | know | shall,
because he had the sense to see that your
sonata was great,
Il didn { say he thought it was great.
No; but l u sure he did think so
Jack tried on the coat, but after careful
consideration of its effect, both decided it
was too magnificent for the rest of his at
tire.
We'll have it made into a cloak or
something for YOU, Nellie, he said.
mo, no You viii soon be rich enough
10 wear it,
If it's to wait till then the moths will
have swallowed il. But, | dare say, if
its really worth lot Of money, we could
sell it, and then, with what furniture we
have already. We might
"Yes, said Nellie softly.
At > o clock precisely they approached
the Shamrock restaurant in considerable
trepidation As they paused near the en-
trance closed carriage drove up, from
which stepped Jacks guest of the night
before.
why that the man in the fur lined
overcoat who was walking behind rs in the
Strand last night, Nellie whispered, He
was transformed; in place Of thin and
weathered garments, he wore the conven-
tional garb of the prosperous. At sign
from him the eoachman drove away.
Permit me. he said, saluling Jack,
''to return today the hospitality so gener-
ously offered to me last night. jack
could hardly collect himself sufficiently to
introduce Nellie.
MY name, said the stranger, as the
embarrassed yiolinist paused helplessly, rs
McLoghlen,
When Jack heard the word it seemed
to him that all Piccadily rang with it, for it
was the name by which great impresario
was known.
Il took away your sonata this morn
ing, said MeLoghlen, because | wished
to hear it played by greater performer
than either you or l. He has already tried
it. in fact, left him at it an hour ago. |
think | can promise you that he will play
it in public within a month. -
Jack gasped, nor for some minutes could
he find appropriate words of thanks.
In the meantime Mr.. McLoghlen busted
himself in ordering lunch, for which pur-
pose he consulted Nellie about the choice
of dishes of which she had never in her
life heard before
''You are, | believe, violinist in the
orchestra.
"Yes, Jack answered
II think, if you will allow me, can
find you better post. You appear be-
wildered -
I'm so much bewildered that | doubt
my own existence.
81 owe you an explanation, certainly.
Last night was in the stalls at the -
| had made bet with friend that |
would get food and night lodging fol
nothing, merely by using my knowledge
of character. He scofed at the idea.
saw you and decided to follow you up
walked down the Strand after you, and
overheard-forgive me-some of your con-