Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1907-04-20

sent the instrument he loves best-a
Stradivarius almost beyond prce-to a
pupil who merely 'scrapes.'" thought
Alger
Did he have many pupils, Miss FL
liottE" eXperimcntally.
NO one but myself He is old and
can no longer play. Age has stiffencd
his fingers. But he playel once-oh.
how he could play! He taught me from
little child. and when | could play
to please him-he gave me this"
Your teacher was a German?" ten
tatively.
"A Belgian" quietly. Nov you shall
hear the voice of the Stradivarius."
She tuned the strings and played
There was certainty of chord lingering,
strength, an almost manlucSs. com
bined with emotional warmth. about
her Interpretation of the difficult Bach
sonata that amazed Al-cr.
"Bach's d Minor Sonata is not for
amateurs" he said gravely to his aunt
Miss Ellott's gift is beyond question
She would rank with the great violin
lists of the present day"
Il think John possessed some musical
ability" replied Mrs. Elliott serenely.
The girl raised her bow with an in
deScribable gesture of reverence. MY
mother" proudly. was a De Beriot
My master is my grandfather. did
not wish to seem to boast. He is
Francis Au%uSte de Beriot."
And this from the cattle ranch.'
thought Alger.
AS the days went by he found him
self desperately in love with the girl
and unable to win from her anything
more than the most chilling courtesy.
He had not even the satisfaction of
contding in Mrs. Elliott Once when
he tried to speak of Vera, meaning to
confess his love for the girl his aunt
Interrupted him coldly: Say no more,
Paul accepted your decision as final,
you will remember. and later will
leaves all l possess to the Home For
Aged Men"
She swept anSrly from the room.
Alger stood for a moment as if stun
ned; then he laughed aloud That's
cool news. Now there's no money in
the way, and I'll move heaven and
earth to win the loveliest girl that
ever
"'Came out of the vest" quoted
a merry voice. and the portiers parted
and Vera stepped from the window
seat into the room.
Aloer SDroNU forward hastily
Vera" eagerly. you've known all
the while that love YOU
"A girl from the west. brought up on
a cattle ranch?" she questioned. hold
ing him back with her hand on his
breast
81 don't care where you're from, or
anything else, if you'll only say you
love me, Vera" p,ead.nCly.
"a g,rl who doesn't know a sonata
from a sandwich?" mis- Ii evouly
Vera. forgive me for that and say
you love me-"
Paul" seriously, "I'ye loved you
ever since | was little g.rl. See"
She drew a locket from her bosom and
pressed back the cover.
Alger gazed in bewilGerment. 1t was
his own face that looked up ut him,
Aunt Ruth sent that to my father
| claimed it as nine and have worn 1t
always"
Vera" with his arms about her
why have you been > cruel to me
when I've tried so hard
III feared you N ght propose to me
to please Aunt Ruth and-apd because
Of the money"
Here, here. What's all this about?
Aunt Ruth's voice sounded harshly at
the door.
They turned toward her together.
Vera has promised to marry me-
Aunt Ruth"
And my latest wil''- She fairly
hurled the words at them.
1--WE don't mnd!" they cried togeth
er rapturously.
was never signed" added Aunt
Ruth in a changed voice. and they
heard her laughing as she softly closed
the door and left them to their hap
piness.