The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-06-27

one final stand, however, before the
back Of an imposing house. With a
sinking heart he sent up the jerky bars
Of march from popular light opera
The house. like all the others, was I'M
responsive. Then he shifted to rag
time. He decided to play through his
repertory anyway. If 1t failed, he
would go back to the asphalt pave
ments and try his luck somewhere
downtown before a restaurant or a
promising saloon.
Now, 1t happened that in the big, dim
back parlor Of the imposing house sat
two young people, and single glance
showed that they were not happy.
The man sat very stiff and straight
in his chair and bit his lips. The girl
was seated on low divan. Her face
was flushed and her eyes glowed an
grily.
1T is far too much to forgive this
time" she was saying. 81 have for
given and forgiven ternally forgiven
and now am tired
The man replied coldly.
Perhaps you are right" he said In
a strained voice.
And the sooner it's over the better,
now" said the girl, choking.
The man started up. Whatever re-
monstrance he was about to make he
stifed.
VERY WELL" he said CURLY.
The girl pulled a ring from her finger
and laid 1t on the table beside the
man. He took it without a word and
put 1t in his pocket.
Il might say he began slowly.
"All you could say would make no
difference" she said YEARLY.
The man rose and strobe to the win
dow. Pasquale was grinding away
assiduously. AT the sight of the man
In the window he smirked and bowed
and shuffied his feet The man smiled
bitterly.
Lucky, happy devilr' he muttered.
Then he turned to the girl and drew
himself up stIff1y.
Il may an well say goodby," said he.
She made no reply.
iOOuDys ne Sald again.
"Goodby," she returned evenly.
1ne man nesitated a moment; then
he strobe to the door. In the alley
Pasquale had come to the last piece
In his repertory 1t was poor imi-
tation of portions of Schubert's Ser
enade" Just as the man reached the
door the juggling notes floated in from
the alley. The man paused. A look Of
pain came into his face
Those jerky notes brought memories
with them-memories of a big, dark
music room with two little spots of
red in the gloom where the candles
burned on the plano; of a girl beneath
the candles-a girl with white neck
and cleaning shoulders. playing the
serenade very softly; of a few breath
less words whispered over her Shout
der; of pair of luminous eyes which
flashed IN answer that set his heart
pounding madly. And now a
hurdy gurdy playing that sacred ser
enade in the alley and this. 1t was
heinous sacrilege.
Lord, l can't stand that" he NUT
tered, and turned to the girl face
drawn and white.
"Goodby," he said as If the words
choked him
But the girls face had whitened
also. She took step forward.
Robert" she said with wide, fright
ened eyes.
In the alley Pasquale ground away
hopelessly. Suddenly a window was
raised and a coin dropped at his feet.
1t was a shining. yellow coin. Pas
quale Venett gasped. turned 1t over
in his palm, and then whooped. In a
burst of gratitude he began the roper
tory all over again, and such was his
elation that be essayed to heighten the
effect by singing in high, sQueaky