The log cabin Democrat., 1909-05-15

month-Arthur Loringston. Yes; go on chorused the listeners. Well. l had met him by the merest chance I was struck at once by his dreamy, remote air. l learned that he was a musician a violinist who had studied under excellent masters, had come to Chicago to get some compost tions published, had failed and was stranded here without a cent of money Of course, he didnt blurt this all out as 1 am doing"
 Exactly said the others.
 Well, 1 went home and couldn't get that poor man out of my head. He had given me his address, so 1 sent for him to lunch with me and discuss mat ters of business He came and played for me-divinely. l knew he was in deed an artist the moment he drew his bow across the strings of that violin. But you have heard him yourselves. Then l catechized him. The upshot of the matter was that l persuaded him, after numerous interviews, long argu- mehts, an incalculable expenditure of diplomacy and a patience not native to my soul, to let me introduce him to some of the vaudeville managers in town
 Base woman! Corrupter of genius," were the protests.
 Well you may imagine the trouble I had to get even a hearing for those unfortunate vaudeville managers with my artist of the temperament He doubted if he would not be debasing his calling to so much as consider the project And all the time there he was, starving!'
 That by the way was why you got up that subscription wasn't it, Mrs. Bond?" interrupted a young man at her right.
 Yes" admitted she. 'I simply couldn't see him perish with that genius of his And l knew be must get hungry between my lunches and teas. He didn't mind the subscription at all. 7"
 How did he come out with the au- tocrats of the drama?" inquired her host
 Beautifully. They listened hopeful ly Oh such trouble as l had getting those appointments. But you know it takes time to arrange these little mat ters: In the midst of the negotiations, just when everything looked rosiest, my friend of the temperament disap- peared. Simply dropped out of sight, leaving no word of explanation for me"
 What had happened?'
 Tn ten days he returned-with wife, If you will believe me, that in sane youth had gone and married a little country girl, as inexperienced and helpless and altogether impossible as himself-on his prospects!
 Then had them both on my hands. 1 couldn't let them die in the street And there was something awfuliy ap- pealng about Arthur Loringston. His wife was sweet little thing, too though l had hard work to forgive her for running his career by marrying him just at that time.
 So l set valiantly to work once more Arthur had decided that he must study in Paris. He really seemed to have an idea about it. agreed with him meekly that vaudeville was but a poor excuse for art and hardly worth q mans best efforts. Then after weeks of scheming and planning and wire pulling l was ready for my coup d'etat What those weeks cost me in broken engagements, weariness of the flesh and self-sacrifice no one knows."
 Poor Mrs. Bond," murmured lis. tener
 Finally the day arrived which was to make my artistic friends fortune. to assure him of his chance to study in comfort and dignity, Six of the most important people of musical sym. pathies in the city had consented to give an hour of their time to meet aad hear him play. I knew the victory was l already won.
 Well we met and We waited. knew they were fdgetng and, as for me, l was shaking with fright Forty minutes we waited in a dreary pre- tense of sociability, and finally we | parted. Arthur Loringston had broken | that appointment, 1 was sick with l modification, but l was also alarmed.
 My poor friend. l thought. What | terrible accident has prevented his | coming?
 The next day l met him on the | street He came up to me coolly smil. ing appealing as ever, cheerful, yet with his little air of dreaminess.
 Dear Mrs. Bond he said, I was sorry to disappoint you yesterday, but ii was unavoidable My wife had a little attack of homesickness. so natur ally was compelled to deny myself the pleasure of meeting your friendsl
 And hat said Mrs. Band lis why I have renoupced the artistic tempera ment aid aii it's works"