The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-10-09

Torp, working carefully on his upper
lip, under his right nostril.
Il shall tell you that you are a bar
barian!" retorted the voice.
We'll, that doesn't hurt" answered
Mr.. Van Torp.
he heard a snort of scorn on the
other side and there was silence
again. But before long, as he got
away from his upper lip with the
razor. he unconsciousry began to whis-
tie again, and he must have made the
same mistake as before, for ne was
interrupted by deep groan of pain
from the next room.
Not feeling very well?" he inquired
In tone of dry jocularity. Stomach
upset?"
"E sharp!" screamed the wretched
pianist.
Van Torp could hear him dancing
with rage or pain.
See here, whoever you are, don't
call names! don't Ike It. See? rye
paid for this room and I'm going on
whistling If like, and just as long as
l like"
You say you make noises you
like?' cried the infuriated musician.
oh, no! You shall not! There are
rules! We are not in London, sir.
we are in Bayreuth! If you make
noises. you shall be thrown out of the
house."
Shall I? Well, now, that's a funny
sort OF rule for hotel, isn't it?"
Il go complain of you," retorted the
other, and Mr.. Van Torp heard a door
opened and shut again.
In few minutes he had done all
that the conditions would permit in
the way of making himself present
able, and just as he left the room he
was met by Stemp, the rs minutes be.
ing just over.
Very good, sir. I'll do what | can.
SIR said the. excellent man, as Mr..
Van Torp pointed to the things that
lay about.
AS he went out, he recognized the
voice of his neighbor, who was talk
ing excitedly in voluble German, some
where at the back of the house.
Hes complaining now" thought
Mr.. Van Torp, with something like a
smile.
He had already been to the best
hotel, in the hope of obtaining rooms,
and he had no difficulty in finding it
again. He asked for Nine da Cor
dova. She was at home, for it was an
off-day; he sent in his card, and was
presently led to- her sitting room.
Times had changed. Six months
earlier he would have been told that
there had been mistake and that she
had gone out.
She was alone; a letter she had
been writing lay unfinished on the
queer little desk near the shaded
window, and her pen had fallen across
the paper. On the round table in the
middle of the small bare room there
stood plain white vase full of corn
flowers and peoples, and Margaret
was standing there, rearranging them,
or pretending to do so.
She was looking her very best, ana
as she raised her eyes and greeted
him with friendly smile, Mr.. Van
Torp thought she had never been so
handsome before.
Margaret held out her hand and he
took it; and though its touch and her
friendly smile were like a taste of
heaven just then, he pressed her fin
gers neither too much nor too little,
and his face betrayed no emotion.
ITS very kind of you to receive
me, Miss Donne," he said quietly.
Il think it's very kind of you to
come and see me-" Margaret an
swered. Come and sit down and tell
me how you got here-and why!"
We'll" he answered slowly, as they
seated themselves side by side on the
hard green sofa. Il don't suppose I
can explain, so that you'll understand,
but I'll try. Different kinds of things
brought me. l heard you were here
from Lady Maud, and l thought per-
haps l might have an opportunity for
little talk. And then-oh, | don't
know. I've seen everything worth
seeing except a battle and 'Parsifaf,'
and as it seemed so easy, and you
were here, l thought Id have a look
at the opera, since | can't see the
fight"
Margaret laughed little.
Il hope you will like it, she said.
Have you good seat?'
Il haven't got ticket yet" an
swered Mr.. Van Torp, in blissful ig-
norance
mo seat!" The prima donnas sur.
prise was almost dramatic. But how
In the world do you expect to get one
now? Don't you know that the seats
for 'ParsifaP are all taken months be-
forehand?"
Are they really?" He was very
calm about it. Then suppose l
shall have to get ticket from a spec
ulator. don't see anything hard
about that"
MY dear friend, there are no spec
ulators here, and there are no tickets
to be had. You might as well ask for
the moon!"
Il can stand, then. I'm not afraid
of getting tired"
There are no standing places at
allf No ono ic ollomad to on IN, xry1,o