The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-04-20
From the Cottage Window
Ely DOROTHY DOUGLAS

in our own world" He raised be
hands to his lips before letting then
go. where is MOTHER"
His mother had risen at sound o
her name and dropped on her knee.
beside the bed My SON"
Little mother-it is good-to b,
back with you" he said.
The girl went quietly out
The following days saw Ruby at thu
patients piano very often. And It va.
not long before he was ushered bacl
to the glory and strength of life.
Late one afternoon when they had
finished tea and the twilight shades
added harmony to an already great
friendship. Gavin voiced a well ma
tured thought Under the lightness Of
his words his voice rang with a steadi
ness Of purpose.
Miss Wallace. I am gong to inflici
a heavy punishment on your arts for
having welded their powers over me
when ! was too Ill to resist" He
looked up to meet an interested glance
from his mother and q startled one
from the girl II shall send you to
some terrible music master who will
make you breathe from your dia.
phragm and place tones In your head
until you are completely his slave.
When that is accomplished-you are
to come back and show the world Of
art what a really great voice is"
The girl was silent: two large tears
gathered in her eyes. When she spoke
her voice was low but the quality
spoke volumes. II can say nothing
at present-you have made too much
possible-all at once. I have Ionged
for what you have put before me and
now-l-l want only-to cry"
There. there" said Mrs. Cuth3ert.
rising. IF you must cry-cry here on
my shoulder"
But I'm not going to-" came a muf.
fed voice. Il am too happy to cry"
Not many. twilights had come and
gone before Gavin and his mother were
again alone: each knew a great long
ing for the music Of one voice. For in
the heart of the mother Ruby Wallace
had wrought q great love-and In the
mans?
Something told Gavin that Il was
best not to tell the girl unit! such time
As she herself beckoned him. Her let
tiers from Germany were filled with
humorous. and sometimes fearful. &C.
counts Of her studies and always, In.
termingling. we're little phrases Of love
and gratitude for those who were
her benefactors.
One evening. after three years had
passed. Gavin stepped into the draw.
ing room looking so handsome in his
evening clothes that even his mother
stopped to caress him before putting
the question uppermost In her mind
Gavin thought her wonderfully lovely,
radiant with some inner excitement.
Have you any engagement tonight.
dear?" she asked.
None: anything speciai?"
Would you mind taking me to the
opera tonight"
The opera! thought you-mother!
What is it?-you are hiding-!" Then |
Il know! She is"
Yes. bcy-Ruby is singing Juliet. |
She sent me word today with this" |
Hrs. Cuthbert drew a scarf from her |
neck. disclosing an exquisite necklace.
II represented a few bars OF music: |
the lines were fine golden strands held |
together by the bars OF tiny dia.
monds: each note was a matchless
pearl
1t is beautiful" Gavin turned
away his head quickly-the girlseemed
suddenly very near and a great glad.
ness thrilled him.
My boy" said his mother, tenderly.
you need not hide it from me- have
always known"
He turned and caught her IN bis
arms.
Gavin sat far back in the box. He
seemed to be chained down waiting
Tor the entrance OF Juliet-only the
sight of her could release him.
His heart gave great bound for she
vas there and his whole being went
put to meet her. Every note. every
gesture was like a long drawn breath
rom a garden of flowers to the man
who waited.
She was the same Ruby whose voice
lad coaxed him back to life. Now she
stood leaning over the balcony with a
noon casting its light on her head and
rallied down her back-and yes-it
.nded In two golden tassels. Gavin,s
lands clenched on the velvet of the
'ox railing when the Romeo of the
'pera clasped Juliet in what looked
Ike an unnecessarily close embrace
nut that memory vanished when.
lfterward. Juliet sat beside him in
he carriage SO close that the soft
lown OF her cloak was warm against
lis arm.
He slipped that arm under the coat
nd drew her to him. II have waited
hree years-dear." he said.
She did not speak. but somehow
here in the darkness of the carriage.
Ie knew that he need wait no LONGER.
Oh, to &c q Woman!
"You women" exclaimed the dis
'usted brother. simply have a glori-
us time doing nothing! My word, I
my you your idleness."
"Idleness?" shrieked his pretty sis.
er.
Yes. idleness! Oh. why-why-
Thy wasn't born a woman?"
''Oh, yes; you'd like to be a WON.