The Washington times., 1906-09-23

itself. he did not stare. and he was
not embarrassed
II am a little late, I fear" he said;
have I missed much % the muster
No" said Helen. that was the
first selection"
ct am glad Of that" said the other.
According 10 the laws which resu-
late the drifting of conversation. Il
was next due that Helen should ask II
he were fond Of singing. and then that
he should answer tina, ne was very
fond Of ir. which be did
Mrs. Roberts tells me you are
sknlful musician. " he added; 'I trust
that ] shall hear you?'
Helen. Of course. meant 20 play, and
had devoted some thought 10 the Sc
lection Of her program: therefore she
answered; Possibly; We shall see by
and by"
"I am told that YOU have been study
ing fin Germany" was the next ooser-
walton. "Do You ike Germany"
Very much" said Helen only they
made me work very nard az music.
and at everything else"
That is perhaps why you are a
good player" said Mt. Harrison.
you ought 10 wait until you hear
me-" the girl replied, following his eX-
ample OF choosing the must obvious
thing 10 say.
Il fear I am not much Of "A critic"
said the other.
And so the conversation drifted on
for several minutes. Mr.. HarUson's re
marks being so very unnspiring that
HIS companion could find no way 10
change the subject to anything worth
talking about.
Evidently" the girl thought. dur
ing a momentary luU he has learned
all the rules OF talking. and that's why
he's at ease. But dear me, what an
awful prospect! II would Kill me to
have 10 do this often. But then. to
he sure. I shan't see MN IN the day
time. and In the evenings we should
not be at home one doesn't have TO
be TOO intimate with ones husband. I
suppose. And then"
81 think" said Mr.. Harrison. that
your aunt is coming to ask you to
play"
That was Aunt Polly-s mission for a
fact. and Helen was much relieved.
for she had found herself quite help
less to lift the conversation out Of the
slough of despond into which il had
fallen, she wanted a little time TO col
lect her faculties and think Of some
thing clever 10 start with again. When
I'm answer 20 the request or Aunt Pol
ly she arose and went 20 the plano.
the crushed feeling. Of course. left her
and her serenity returned: for Helen
was at home at the piano. knowing
that she could do whatever she
chose. and DO it without EFFORT. II
was q stimulus 20 her faculties to per-
ceive that a general hush mad fallen
upon the room. and tnat every eve
was upon her; as she sat down. there
fore, all her old eNultation was back.
She paused a moment TO collect her
self, and gave one easy glance down
the room at the groups of people She
caught glimpse al she die so of Mr..
Howard who was still seated upon the
sofa, leaning forward and resting his
chin in his hand and fixing his eyes
upon her At another time the sight
Of his wan face might perhaps have
annoyed the girl, but she was carried
beyond that just then by the excite
ment of the moment. her glance came
back TO the piano, and feeling that
every one was attentive ard expectant,
she began.
Helen numbered in her repertoire a
good many pieces that were hopelessly
beyond the techn:c Of the average salon
pianist, and she had chosen the most
formidable with which TO astontsh her