The Washington times., 1906-09-23


kept on laughing and talking for
minute or two more, and then at
lull in the conversation she exclaimed;
But I've been keeping Mr. Harrison
here talking 10 me, and nobody else
has seen anything of him" And so
Mr. Harrison, lnwardly anathematiZ-
ing the rest of the company, was com
PEELED 10 90 through long series OF
handshaklngs. and finally to be drawn
into a group of young persons whose
conversation seemed TO him the most
inane he had ever heard I'm his life.
in the meantime some one else was
giving a piano selection. one which
Helen had never heard. bIt which
sounded To every one like "a finger eX-
crclse after her own meteoric flight,
the girl sat half listening 90 iJ 4ad
half waiting for her aunl 20 return,
which Mrs Roberts finally id, beam
ing with gratitude.
My love she whispered. "you are
an angel, you have done better than
ever dreamed off,
And Helen felt her blood give "a sud
den leap that was not quite pleasant.
the surEiHg thoughts that were ia her
mind al that moment brought back
the nervous trembling she had felt IN
the carriage, so that she leaned
against the sofa for support
Now listen. my dear the other
went swiftly on. perhaps divning Jae
girl $ state. 81 want you 10 do "a great
favor for me-"
Was not that for you. auntie?'
asked Helen. weakly.
No. my dear, that was for yourself
Bat this
What is it?''
Il want you 90 come and talk 10 my
David Howard a litJle while"
The gir' gave s-art and turned a
little paler Aunt Polly" she ex-
claimed. not now. He looks So ill. fl
makes me nervous even Jp see him"
"But. Helen. my dear, that IS non
sense was tie reply M. Howard
IS one OF the most Interesting men yru
ever met. He knows more than all the
people in this room together. and you
viii forget he fs an invalid when you
have talked 20 him aWHia"
Helen was. or wished To think her
self. upon the heights Of happiness
tust then. and she shrunk more than
ever from anything that was wretch
ed, Not now. Aunt Folly" she said.
family. Please wait until
But. my dear" said Aunt Polly,
now is the very time YOU VIII wish
10 be with Nh Harrison ac1in soon.
And you must meet Mr- Howard. for
that is what he came for"
L suppose then Iu have TO-" saiI
Helen. knitting her brows; 'IH stroll
over in a minute or two"
"Au right" said the other. and
please try to get acquainted with him,
Helen. for I want you % like him."
'I viii do my best" said the girl
"He won't talk about his ailments.
viii hep"
NO" said the other, laughing, Il
fancy rot Talk to him 9tout music
he's a great musician. you krow.'
And as her aunt lott tEo room, Helen
stole q side glance at the aan. who
was alone upon tae sofa just then
His chin was st.ll resting in his hand,
and he was looking at Helen IS be-
fore. As she glanced at Him thus he
seemed &c be all head. or rather all
forehead. for uis brow was very high
and white. and was set of by heavy
black Iair.
"He does look interesting the girl
thought. as she forced a smile and
tered ut the same time, as u by acci-
dent. and the two approached Mr..
Howard AS he saw them coming he
rose. with some effort as Helen noticed
ana with a very slight look of pain;
il cost her some resolution go give the
man Hcr hand I'm a minute or two
more. however. they were seated alone
upon tbc sofa Aunt Polly having gone
of With the remark 20 Helen that she
had mace Mr. Howard promise 20 talk
10 her about music and that they both
knew too much about ii for her. You
must tell Helen all about her playing"
she added 10 him, lauEhingly.
And then Helen. 90 carry on the con-
yersation, added, I should be very
much pleased If you would"
81 am afraid il is an uuEraCiOus task
Mrs. Roberts has chosen me-" the man
answered. smiling. Critics are not a
popular race
Tt depends upon the critics" said
Helen. They must be sincere.
THAT is just where they get into
trouble" was the response.
1T looks as II he were going 10 be
ChaTy with his praise thought Helen,
feeling just the least bit uncomfort-
able. She thought for a moment. and
then said. not without truth, You
pique my curiosity. Mr.. Howard
My criticism could not be technl-
cal" said the other, smiling, again.
for am not a pianist
You play some other Instrument
asked Helen; afterward she added,
mischievously. cor are you just a
critic?'
I play the VIOLIN" the man an
swered.
You are going to play for US this
evening""
NO" said the other. Il fear shall
not"
why not?'' Helen inquired.
Il have not been feeling very well
today was the response. But I
have promised your aunt To play some
evening: we had quite a long dispute.
You do not like 10 play in public?'
asked Helen.
The question was a perfectly nat
ural one. but il happened unfortunate
ly that as the girl asked it her glance
rested upon the figure Of her compan-
ion. The man chanced 10 look at her
at the same instant. and she saw in a
flash that her thought had been mis-
read. Helen colored with the most
painful modification. but Mr.. Howard
s-s--a o., t..- ---r.1r.sa 1o sign of Offenss