The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-06-15

to tell my plot before two such mlIltar.
experts as we have here. l should b'
told to write the play all over agaiI
and now it is too late"
Whenever Bet-y's glances fell on I'll
fathers face, the sladEess in her ow-
was somewhat dinmed. What vas
making that loved face so care-worn
the mind so listless. the attitude sc
weary? But she was young; he
spirits of youth never foV long in C-e
direction. The repartee, brilliant and
at the same time every sting with
drawn, flashed up and down the table
like so many firefies on a wet lawn ia
July, and drew her irresistibly.
AS the courses came and passed, 81
the converse ton became less and less
general; and by the time the ices
were served the colonel had engaged
his host, ard the others divided into
twos. Then coffee, liqueurs and cigars,
when the ladies' rose and trailed into
the little Turkish room, where the
"distinguished-look butler" sup
piled them with tie amber Juice
A dinner is function where every
body talks and nobody eats. Some
have eaten before they come, some
wish they had, and others dare not eat
for fear of losing some of the gossip.
After the liqueurs my butler con-
cluded that his labor was done and he
offered a short prayer of thankful
ness and relief. Heavens, what mad,
fantastic impulses had seized him
while he was passing the soup Sup
posing he had spilled the hot liquid
down Karloff's back, or poured out a
glass of burgundy for himself and
drained it before them all, or slapped
his late colonel on the back and asked
him the state of his liver? 1t was
maddening and he marvelled at his es-
cape. There hadn't been a real mis-
hap. The colonel had only scowled at
him; he was safe. He passed secretly
from the house and hung around the
bow-window which let out on the low
balcony. The window was open, and
beyond the room, which was dark.
1t was one of those nights, those mild
November nights, to which the novel
lists of the old regime used to devote
a whole page; the silvery pallor on
the landscape, the moon-mists, the
round, white, inevitable moon, the stir
ring breezes, the murmur of the few
remaining leaves, and all that. But
these busy days we have not the time
to read nor the inclination to describe.
Suddenly upon the stiffness Of the
night the splendor of human voice
broke forth; the prima-donna was
trying her voice. A violin walled a
note. A hand ran up and down the |
keys Of the piano. Warburton held |
his breath and waited. He had heard |
Tosti's Ave Maria many times, but |
he never will forget the manner in
which It was sung that night. The |
was care-free and among |
persons she knew and liked, and she |
put her soul into that magnificent and
mysterious throat of hers. And throb-
bling all through the song was the
loving voice of the violin.
And when the human tones died away
Ind the instrument ceased to speak,
felt himself swallowing
'apidly. Then came Schumann's Trau-
nerei on the strings, Handel's Largo,
5rieg's Papillen, and ballade by
Chaminade. Then again sang the
old folksy songs,
'ketches from the operas, grand and
light, Faust, The Barber of Seville,
Ia File de Madame Angot In all his
lays Warburton had never heard such
music. Doubtless he had-even better;
,nly at this period he was in love.
The imagination of loves young dream
$ the most stretchable thing / know
f. Seriously, however, he was
cry good Judge of music, and | am
onvinced that what he heard was out
t the ordinary.
hannel proper
During the music Karloff and Col
mel Annesley drifted into the latter's
tudy. What passed between them !
ather from bits recently dropped
y Warburton.
Good God, Karloff, what a net you
ave sprung about mel" said the ,
olonel, despairingly.
my dear Colonel, you have only to s
-ep out of it. 1t is the eleventh hour; ,
is not too late" But Karloff /
atched the colonel eagerly.
Chow in Gods name can step out {
7 it?" I
Simply reimburse me for that 500, 600
advanced to you in good faith, and
othing more need be said" The
,unt's Slavonic eyes were half-lidded
ITO give you back that amount will
ave me beggar, an absolute beggar,
ithout roof to shelter me. am too
d for service, and besides, l am S
nysically incapacitated. If you should /
,rce me, could not meet my note |
vn nv selling the hOuSe NV child was | Y