The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1910-11-18

sank into II with little sigh Of relief.
~ will send my housekeeper, Mrs. Lar
rup, to you; she may be Of assistance"
Annabelle had time to rearrange 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 1t
seems tc be the maids half holiday,
so you must be satisfied with my hum
bic services. Here are currant wine
and some biscuits and a bottle Of eau
de cologne. Isn't that what ladies use
when they are upsetT He placed the
tray handily at her elbow.
Thanks to you, wasn't upset." re-
turned Annabelle merrily. She shifted
at the cut glass bottle more in graft.
tude for his thoughtfulness than be-
cause she needed its pungent aroma.
"Thank you. l am afraid I've made
you lots of trouble and ruined your
garden. / hope you will allow me to
have it put in order again." She slipped
the wine lie poured for her and looked
up at him from her dark blue eyes,
frankly boyish In their direct glance.
REALLY, you've given old Jackson
something to do. He's been eating his
head of lately and grumbling because
l wouldn't let him dig up some of the
beds and set out other plants. There
he is now among the hollyhOcks. See
the grin on his face? He's tickled to
| death over it,
| The man leaned against the doorpost
and looked out into the garden, where
an old negro was hobbling among the
torn beds, broad smile about his
toothless lips.
81 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. Il think my man can
put your car right. There seems to be
nothing serious the matter with it
probably some small matter Of adjust
ment."
While the chauffeur tinkercd 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 aunt's musicale and
the great violinist nor her terror at 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 in
the arbor and had seen her approach
across the turf-had raced to meet her.
1t was nothing at all.
80 you did not want to see Alvan
Eldred," he said little later. Have
you ever heard him play?"
"Once," admitted Annabclle, land it
was so heavenly it made me cry.
There was a big crowd. and | couldn't
see him, and / didn't want to. know
what they look like and | am always
disillusioned after | see them, some
are $3.50 grubby, you know. This
time he played IN old thing. the inter
mezzo from 'Cavalleria,' you know, and
I've wanted to hear it again just us he
played it. only
You're afraid Of the garlic and the
greasy coat collar, eh?' He was smil-
ing down at her in the friendliest sort
| of way.
81 know you think I'm horrld about
it and not bit artistic, but
81 don't like garlic myself" he con
fessed cheerfully. "As for questiona-
bic coat collars-ugh. Nevertheless,
I'm afraid you do Eldred an injustice
He's an American, you know"
"YOu see how narrow and prejudiced
and silly am" said Annabelle. rising
and moving toward the door. II never
even knew that. | thought he was Il
Pole-or something. 1t Is growing
late and your man seems to have fixed
my car"
I'm going with you-with your per-
mission-to see 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 moment,
please; do not turn your head"
With slight bow he left her stand
ing in the doorway, her back to the
interior Of the arbor. He passed in
side, and she heard slight rattle, a
whining twang as a string frightened.
and then the strains Of the intermezzO
trembled on the air-played as only a
master could play it-as Alvan Eldred
had never played 1t before.
Annabelle stood spellbound, her blue
eyes like stars, her red lips parted.
wave after wave of rose color flushing
her startled face. Before he had fin
ished she had turned and was facing
him, inspiring him to greater effort,
and there passed between them at the
moment great understanding.
When he had finished Annabelle
pressed her hands against her eyes.
81 feel as IL had always been asleep
-as though l had just awakened"
she said softly.
He made no reply. Quietly he put
away the violin which had wrought
| Gal o., III eli