Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-02-25

knock him down-brain him-drive him
away from the piano at all cost"
There was a world of pathos in the
earnestness with which she said that, and
for the first time l began to understand
the affair.
There is a keynote to everything, a
science mas demonstrated. just the right
chord viii make a glass shiver into a
million pieces. If the keynote of the
largest building should be discovered the
structure might crumble into dust. and It
is not an unknown thing for articles in
the vicinity Of great organs TO fall to
pieces. Indeed, | myself have felt the
sudden emotional thrill that comes from
the striking of a certain chord.
That evening / was carefully concealed
behind the window drapcries when West
on called and it is needless to say that
my interest was intense. She shuddered
Us he drew her toward him, but remained
passive in his embrace.
Tomorrow" he said, I'VE will be quiet
" married"
No" she replied, and could see that
it was only with an effort that she forced
herself to say it.
But | insist" he exclaimed. Il will
no longer run the risk of losing you, and
you promised me yesterday"
''I've changed my mind" she answered
shortly.
Have care" he returned, menacing-
ly, releasing her and moving toward the
piano.
Whether it was my presence that in
spired her | know not, but for the first
ha Of ard 4C1I
was reused and She dared him.
XIII me if you Wilt" she cried Since
the fateful night you first accidentally
struck that chord and saw the effect it
had on me | have lived in almost con-
slant fear of death or insanity, which IS
worse. / have trembled whenever Won
have touched the keys, even in the pres
ence of Others. You have played, as It
seemed to me. on the live nerves of my
body and from very fear forced me to
acquiesce in whatever you proposed, but
am done with it. | win not marry you
tomorrow or at any other time"
Think again, he said softly, but
nevertheless treateningly, as he seated
himself at the piano, and idly ran his
fingers over the keys. Remember! This
is power | shall have always. | have
no fear that it viii kill you, but wher.
ever l may find you | can inilict upon
you the eXcruciating torture that Won
dread. Even at the altar this chord
He never finished the sentence, for as
he spoke she uttered a sudden cry. Her
face became deadly white and she
swayed and shook like leaf. | sprang
from behind the curtains, but before
reached him he had struck the chord
again, and with a moan she collapsed and
sank in heap on the floor.
| did not handle him very gently, and
when the others came in, attracted by
the noise, he was in fit condition to in
tcrview II doctor lie said when he left.
that he would find an opportunity to
carry his threat into execution, and that
She never would be able to escape that
chord so long as both he and she lived.
Mary and her father left for cont.
mental trip week later, and Weston dis
appeared soon after He intimated that
IT was his purpose to follow them. If he
uid and her father remained in the same
humor in which | last saw him, | am
satisfied that there is one musical genius
occupying grave somewhere on the ecu
tinent. But | have heard of no such
tragedy.-E. +. in Illustrated Bits.