The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-09-23


downright robbery. That's what cal
It, sir"
well, suppose they call it bust
ness here, and quite a good business
too. But I'd like to buy the whole
thing and show 'em how to run It
They'd make more in the end"
Yes, sir. hope you will, sir. Beg
pardon, sir, but do you think it would
cost a great deal?"
They'd ask a great deal, anyway
answered the millionaire thoughtfully
"Stemp, suppose you get me out some
things and then take look around
while try to get a wash in that-that
tea-service there"
Mr.. Van Torp eyed the exiguous
basin and jug with some curiosity
and much contempt. Stemp, impassive
and correct under all circumstances
unstrapped a valise, laid out on the
bed what his master might need, and
inquired If he wished anything else.
There isn't anything else," an
when shall come back, sir?'
I'm Is minutes. There isn't half
an hours wash in that soup-plate,
anyway"
He eyed the wretched basin with q
glance that might almost have
cracked it. When his man had gone,
he proceeded to his toilet, such as it
was, and solaced himself by softly
whistling as much of the Good Fri
day" music as he remembered, little
dreaming what it was, or that his per-
formance was followed with nervous
and almost feverish interest by the
occupant of the next room in the at
tic, poor musician who had saved
and scraped for years to sit at the
musical feast during three days.
e sharp" cried an agonized voice
on the other side of the closed door,
in strong German accent. Il know
1t is E sharp! l know it,"
Mr.. Van Torp stopped whistling at
once, lowered his razor, and turned a
mask Of soapsuds in the direction
whence the sound came.
do you mean me?" he inquired in
Q displeased tone.
II mean who whistles the Good Fri.
day music" answered the voice. Il
tell you, know it is E sharp in that
place. I have the score. shall show
you If you believe not"
He's mad" observed Mr.. Van
Torp, beginning to shave again. Are
you lunatic?" he asked, pausing aft
er a moment. What's the matter
with you, anyhow"
Il am musician, tell you! l am
. pianist!"
Its the same thing" said Mr.. Van
Torp, working carefully on his upper
lip, under his right nostril
II shall tell you that you are a bar
barian!" retorted the voice.
well, 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 unconsciousIy began to whis-
tie again, and he must have made the
same mistake as before, for he was
interrupted by a deep groan of pain
from the next room.
mot 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 1t. See? Tve
paid for this room ana I'm going on
whistling If like, and inst as long az
like"
"You say you make noises you
like?" cried the infur,ated 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 60 complain of you," retorted the
other, and Mr.. Van Torp heard a door
opened and shut again.
In a 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.
"He's 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 II
again. He asked for Nine. da Cor
dova. She was at home, for 1t 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 a mistake and that she
had gone out.
She was alone; letter she had
been writing lay unfinished on the
queer little desk near the shaded
window, and her pen had fallen across