The searchlight., 1910-04-15
From the Cottage Window
By DOROTHY DOUGLAS
0ROTHY DOUGLAS

I to SEQ II the eyes Of this pictur,
matched the gown. His concentrated
gaze drew her attention and she
turned to meet his eyes.
Yes. they are blue-a tone darkel
than-Come here!" he called. Then
when she stood beside him: Are you
-real!" With a whimsical smile h(
stretched out q doubling hand.
Ruby smiled. "Oh. yes. very. very
real"
"You know" he continued. holding
fast to her hand. II imagined that
was entering another world and that
you were there to welcome me with
your music. but" his voice became
softer-"you have brought me to life
In our own world" He raised her
hands to his lips before letting them
60. where is mother?"
His mother had risen at sound OF
her name and dropped on her knees
beside the bed. MY son."
Little mother-it Is good--to be
back with you." he said.
The girl went quietly out.
| The following days saw Ruby at the
patients piano very often. And II was
not long before he was ushered back
to the glory and strength OF life.
Late one afternoon when they had
finished ten 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 going to iniiict
heavy punishment on your arts for
having welded their powers over me
when was too III to resist" He
looked up to meet an interested glance
from his mother and startled ono
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 arc
to come back and show the world OF
art what 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
possibie-all at once. have longed
for what you have put before me and
now-l--I want only-to cry"
There. there" said Mrs. Cuthbert,
rising. If you must cry-cry here ON
my shoulder"
But I'm not going to-" came muf.
ned 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 a great iove--and In tho
man'sf
Something told Gavin that Il was
best not to tell the girl until such time
as she herself beckoned him. Her let.
ters from Germany were filled with
humorous. and sometimes fearful, nc
counts OF her studies and always. IN
termingling. were 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 specialf"
would you mind taking mo to tho
opera tonight"
'The opera! thought you-mother!
What is itf-you are hiding-!" Then
suddenly: Il know! She la"
"Yes. boy-Ruby Ii singing Juliet
She sent me word to-day with this"
Mrs. Cuthbert drew . scarf from her
neck. disclosing an exquisite necklace.
Il represented q few bars OF music:
the lines were fine golden strands held
together BY the bars OF tiny dis.
monds: each note was Q matchless
pearl
1T II beautiful" Gavin turned
0"oy NAB oUoo QusSAby kIIIU8&m00
suddenly very near and q great glad.
ness thrilled him.
MY boy" said his mother. tenderly.
you need not hide It from mel have
always known"
He turned and caught her In his
arms.
Gavin sat far back in the boz. He
seemed to be chained down waiting
for tho entrance Of Juliet-only the
sight Of her could release him,
His heart gave great bound for aha
was there and his whole being went
out to meet her. Every note, every
gesture was like long drawn breath
from . garden OF flowers to the man
who waited.
She was the same Ruby whose yoica
had coaxed him back to life. Now she
stood leaning over the balcony with \
moon casting its light on her head and
trailed down her back-and yes-at