Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1909-05-20


IsNM the race whom |
.ssnsSs$ have been intro
ducing to every
."PalIid, seraphic." body for the last
month-Arthur Loringston'
Yes; go on" chorused the listeners.
well, | had met him by the merest
chance. | 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
lions published, had failed and was
stranded here without cent of money
Of course, he didn't blurt this all out
as | am doing.
Exactly said the others.
We'll, | went home and couldn't get
that poor man out of my head. He had
given me his address, so | sent for
him to lunch with me and discuss mat
tiers of business. He came and played
for me-divinely! | 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.
the matter was that | persuaded him,
after numerous interviews, long argyll
ments, AN incalculable expenditure of
diplomacy and patience not native to
my soul, to let me introduce him to
some of the vaudeville managers in
town"
Base woman, Corrupter of genius!"
We're the protests.
We'll, you may imagine the trouble
/ 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 young man at
her right.
Yes" admitted she. q simply
couldn't see him perish with that
genius OF his. And knew he must get
hungry between my lunches and teas.
He didn't mind the subscription at ALL"
tocrats of the drama?' inquired her
host
Beautifully. They listened hopeful
ly. Oh, such trouble as 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,
f,,in NJ
peared. Simply dropped out OF sight,
leaving no word of explanation for
me"
What had happened"
In ten days he returned-with a
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.
couldn't let them die in the street.
And there ives something awfuliy APP
pealing about Arthur Loringston His
! wife was a sweet little thing, TOO
though had hard work to forgive her
for running his career by marrying him
| just at that time.
| SO | 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
mans best efforts Then after weeks
of scheming and planning and wire
| 7 fo,
| What those weeks cost me in broken
engagements, WEAKNESS 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 ii
comfort and dignity. Six of the mos
important people of musical sym
pathies in the city had consented tC
give an hour of their time to meet an(
hear him play. knew the victory was
already won.
We'll. we met, and We waited
knew they were tidgeting and, as fol
me, | was shaking with fright. Fort,
minutes we Wdlltu III Il ufedfN pre-
tense of sociability. and finally W.
parted Arthur l.oringston had broker
that appointment. | was sick Will
modification, but | was also alarmed.
My poor friend, l thought. VIVA
terrible accident has prevented hi!
coming?
The next day l met him on tn,
street. He came up to me coolly. smil
ing, appealing as ever, cheerful We
with his little air of Cleanliness.
Dear Mrs. Bond he said, i wa
sorry to disappoint you yesterday, bu
it was unavoidable. My wife had
little attack of inconsistencies, so natul
ally | was compelled to deny mysel
the pleasure of meeting your friends!
"Aad that" said Mrs Bond is VIII,
l have renowned the artistic tempera
ment and all its works"