Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-09-13
DAILY SHORT STORIES

Annabelie had time 10 rcarrange her
tumbled hair. blushing at the recol-
lection OF its episode with the coat
button. before her host returned. tray
In hand.
Mrs. Larrup has disappeared. and IL
seems 10 beo the maids half holiday.
so you must be satisfied with my hum.
bic ser1'icess Here are currant wine
and some biscuits and bottle of eau
de cologne. slsn't that what ladiee use
when they are upset;" He placed the
tray hahdily at her elbow.
Thanks to you. wasn't upset." re.
turned Annabelle merrily. She shifted
ut tho cut glass bottle more In graft.
tudo for his thoughtfulness than be
cause she needed its pungcnt aroma.
THANK you. i am afraid I've made
you lots OF trouble and ruined Your
garden. hope you will allow me To
have II put I'm order again" She slipped
the wine he poured for her and looked
up at him from her dark blue eyes.
frankly boyish I'm their direct glance.
Really. you've given old Jackson
something TO do. He's been eating his
head or lately and grumbling because
1 wouldn't let him dig up some OF the
beds and set out other plants. There
he IL now among the hollyhocks. See
the grin on his face? He's tickled to
death over st."
The man leaned against the doorpost
and looked out into the garden where
an old negro was hobbling among the
torn beds. n broad smile about his
toothless lips.
Il say. Jackson. please ask Pierre to
come here and get this car out into the
drive" He turned to Annabelle, and
his glance fingered long on her face,
sweetly serious IN the pale green light
OF the arbor. VI think my man can
put your car right. There seems TO be
nothing serious the matter with tt
probably some small matter OF adjust
| ment"
While the chauffeur tinkerod over
the car Annabelle related the story OF
her ride. She omitted nothing. not
even the fact that she had deliberately
ran away from her aunts musicale and
the great violinist nor her terror nj the
last when her car sped down the hill.
The man listened without Interrupt
ton. He smiled when she mentioned
Alvan Eldred. and he WINGED when
she described the terrible ride down
the hill. When she had finished he
told her that he had been sitting I'm
the arbor and had seen her approach
across the turf-had raced to meet her.
1t was nothing ut all.
II $50 Won dtI NOT x,a,t 40 600 AI,.,,,
Eldred." he said n little later. "Have
| you ever heard him plhy7"
Once" admitted Annabello. land Il
was so heavenly II made me cry
There was a big crowd, and / couldn't
see him, and didn't want 90. know
| what they look Ike, and am always
dislllusioned after see them, some
are $3.50 grubby, you know. This
time he played an old thing, the inter
| mezzo from 'Cavalleria,' You know, and
rye wanted TO hear It again Just as he
played IL, only
you're afraid OF the garlic and the
greasy coat collar. ehT' He was smil-
Ing down at her I'm the fricndllcst sort
Of way.
II know you think I'm horrid about
IL ana not bit artistic, but
~ don't like garlic myself" he con
fessed cbeerfully. "As for questiona-
BILE coat collars-ugh! Nevertheless,
I'm afraid you do Eldred nm injustice.
He's an American, you know"
You see how narrow and preIudiccd
and silly I am" said Annnbcllc. rising
and moving toward the door 81 never
even knew that thought he wns
Pole-Or something. 1t is growing
late, and your man seems 10 have fixed
my car"
I'm going with you-witlI your per.
missioD-to sec that You reach home
safely. Pierre can follow with my
car and bring me, home. You have
told me your name. but have not yet
introduced myself. wait u moment.
please; do not turn your head"
With n slight bow nc left her stand
ing In tho doorway. her bnCl, 30 the
interior OF the nrbor. He passed In
side, and she hoard slight rattle.
whining twanR as n string tlgh:eucd.
and then the strains Of the inicrmrZzO
treinblcd on the alr--playCd MS only n
master could play it-as Alv0n Eldrcd
had never played II before
AnnabcHe stood spellbound. her bluc
eyes Ike stnrs, her red lips parted.
wave after wave Of rose color flushing
her startled face. Before he had I'm
ishcd she had turned md WAS facing
him inspiring him to lTCrto~ effort.
and there passed between them ut the
moment great undcrsiandinH
When be had finished amabo'lc
pressed her hands against hor cycs.
Il feel MS n ! had always been aslcco
AS though ! had Just awakened"
she said softly.
lie made no reply. Quietly hc put
away the violin which had wrought
this wonderful thing Tor him. and ST.
lcntly they entered the little car which
had brought Annabellc so strangely