Evening star., 1907-06-29

of four pieces. For all that his appear
ance told. the second violinist might
have been a clerk or broker, the cell
list was a fat. commonplace-lcoking
man, who suggested much beer. But
the sixteen year-old boy with the violin
might have httngly worn halo; his
face, though not perfect of feature was
of expression beautiful. and very fair.
His eyes sought Janets face with re-
bpectfui alteration.
Then the first violinist rose TO touch the
keynote the piano While the others
tuned their instruments and as lie returned
to his place he took a long S-stemmed rosa
from vase and passing Janet. dropped
II in her lap. He was the observed of all
observers. Henri ReauX was the cltys new
est musical idol. For three months society
had aGored and feted him for his music,
his perfect manners, his peculiar foreign
charm and distinction. He was a new SEN
sation. He was of medium height and
graceful though rather thickset, with dark
hair only a thought too long, and a pale
complexion Offset by his carefully curled
black mustache. He could not have been
forty. Always a favorite with women, men
shrugged their shoulders and laughed at the
women who surrounded him, though they
had no definite objection to him. AS he
tuned his instrument a preliminary ecstasy
shone in his fine dark eyes, and, meeting
Janets glance, his face almost lit to
beauty.
Janet sat lingering her rose. which was
q splash Of crimson against her gray gown.
This afternoon he was to play for and to
her. and afterward she was 10 say whether
she would go to Paris with him when he re-
turned thither in week. He told her she
alone could make him play a god
could through him pour the beauty of her
pure spirit into his music. He could do
nothing without her now; she had taken
deny him the gift of her more perfect
strength.
Reused by his devotion to what she
thought was an answering love in herself
She intended to go with him She hardly
understood just why she had postponed her
answer till now. Perhaps an indefina BILE
wistfulness in her widowed mothers face
had stayed her-a reluctance to leave heI
alone Was II some instinct that said
waite" She was sure 1t was no thought OF
Ellis Field, whom she refused because
she was not sure of more than a 'comradely
affection for him, and who had temporarily
left town just before the musician came
She had hardly thought of Ellis; certainly
had not missed him. What made her re-
member him now?
The tuning ended and a Beethoven adagic
thrilled so softly into the roof that its be
ginning was felt rather than heard And. as
II in answer to call. Ellis Field quietly
entered and took seat In front of Janet
and Just 10 one side. For moment every
head turned toward him: not entirely be
cause his return 10 the city was unknown
and unexpected. or because he more
often found at his law office than at after
noon functions; nor even because he was ar
open lover of Janet; but because he wa:
disturbingly definite and vital-the wilc
note whore tameness prevailed. His strong
and lovabIe personality pervaded any com
pany where he appeared, and never re
treated into the polite colorlessness of mere
convention. Other men loved him; children
sought him; old ladies told him thei
troubles He tall and blonde, witt
the smile OF boy, and stern Righteousness
lay beneath the kindness in his blue eyes.
Ellis Fields proximity troubled Jane
and disturbed her mood. He had placed
one long arm across the back Of the vacant
chair before her and she found herself
watching the fine tenseness of his hanC
which. without actually moving yet seemed
to vibrate to every tone of the music. She
remembe ~ed that he was no mean pianist
himself. rSis face was turned to look past
her. and she could see his eyes narrow a
little in evident contemplation of Reaux
She had a momentary indignant impulse
half motherly. to shield the artist from the
pitiless scrutiny of this balanced young
man of the world. in whom the judge never
slept. She felt nervously that Ellis would
not understand the musicians tempera
ment. Never before had she felt throt
OF apology for the man she intended te