The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1906-10-12

but he opened the door and entered
braHely. The professor came forward
with reassurlng smile ON his hand
perfectly idiOmatic and free from ac-
cent begged his visitor to be seated.
I'm mighty glad you can talk Eng
fish, professor" began the greatly re.
lieved man. 81 was afraid I'd made q
mess of it."
Il do speak it fairly" the professor
admitted modestly. mot SO well per-
haps as do some other languages, but
well enough to make myself under
Stood
You won't need any other language
in Crosskiil"
"Ah, | see" laughed the professor,
who was standing in an attitude OF
polite expectation.
Relieved of his embarrassment. Mr..
keenholts proceeded to business. He
met no difficulty whatever The pro-
fessor was all graciousness. He &C.
cy with graceful willingness that
won the instant admiration of his Wis
itor. II shall be most happy" he de-
clared, although l do not know the
cabinet organ too well. Let me sug-
gest rather that your society accept the
loan Of my upright for the occasion.
Then, if you wish, l shall be able to
entertain yOls, little. am seeking
pupils, you know, and it will serve ad-
mirably to introduce me- 1t will be
better than an advertisement in your
paper, and l shall save my money and
also show you what l am able to do.
How does it please you?
1t pleased MIR. keenholts amazingly
WELL and he said so. He agreed to
have the piano carried across the hall
and promised that no harm should
come to it.
Il wish it might be the other. the
concert grand" the professor sighed.
Il could do myself infinitely better JUS
tice. But, alas, it is not possible. 1t
was SO badly shaken in transit that it
must be silent until an expert re-
stores it,
1T looks like a mighty fine instru-
ment," Mr.. Keenholts hazarded.
1T is my very life-my stock in
trade, if you will permit me-" the mu-
stefan declared feelingly. Wherever
/ 60 it accompanies me. When we
separate it must be for a most urgent
reason. 1t has had a career, my dear
sir. To all the world it is a shape
less box of wood, filed with jangling
discor(ls perhaps. but to me it is-my
very sine qua non."
Professor Gerard did not make his
appearance in the lodge room until the
members and their guests had assem-
bled and it was time for the proceed
ings to begin. AS he entered the
crowded hall and made his way to the
platform a hush fell upon the assem-
bly,, and every neck was craned to OBJ
tain glimpse of the newcomer AS
the professor stepped lightly upon the
platform and seated himself at the
piano a murmur of satisfaction made
the circuit of the large room.
''If he only plays half as well as he
looks" began Mrs. keerhOlts, an ami
able and very rotund woman, in an
audible whisper.
A warning "S-h!' from her equally
amiable and not quite so rotund daugh-
ter interfered with the worthy ma
irons conclusion, and just then, after
a brief consultation with Mr.. Keen
hollis, who was acting as master Of
ceremonies. the professor struck
mighty chord.
He did look remarkably Well As he
sat at the piano, his profile toward his
audience. he seemed singularly attrac-
tive and even distinguished looking He
WAS dark and smooth Shaven, and his
features We're modelled on classic lines.
He was also slight and rather fragile
looking, and his eyes were large an1
extremely bright. accentuating the pal
lor of his comp!eXion. His hair was
worn longer than the prevailing mode.
and the ira ditional lock fell over his
forehead. He was clad in the most ir-
reproachable evening dress, and his
manner was everything that could be
desired.
The opening music was only a hymn
sung by the members in unison, but
before it was ended Mr. Kecnholts,
who was the real musical purveyor for
the lodge, made up his mind that q
cabinet organ was cOnspicuously out
of place i'll a lodge room and that
piano should grace the platform here
after. Then followed the installation
ceremonies. during which the profess
or did not leave the piano. but sat
with his poetical face half concealed
behind the slender fingers of his left