Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-09-15

The man listened without Interrupt
ton. He smiled when she mentioned
Alvan Eidred, 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.
It was nothing at all.
so you did not want to see Alvan
Eldred." no said little later. Have
you ever heard him playa"
"Once." admitted Annabelle, "and 1t
was so heavenly it made me cry.
There was a big crowd, and 1 couldn't
see him, and didn't want to. know
what they look like. and I am always
disillusioned after 1 see them. some
are $3.50 grubby. you know. This
time he played an old thing, the inter
mezzo from 'Cavalleria.' you know. and
I've wanted to hear it again just as 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.
'I know you think I'm horrid about
It and not bit artistic. but
III don't Ike garlic myself" he con-
fessed cheerfulfy. "As for questiona-
bic coat collars-ughI Nevertheless,
I'm afraid you do EIdred 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 I thought he was a
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 net yet
introduced myself Wait a moment
please; do not turn your head"
With a slight bow be 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 tightened.
and then the strains Of the intermezz0
trembled on the air-played as only a
master could play it-as Alvan Eldred
had never played 1t before.
Annabelle stood spellb0und, her blue
eyes like stars, her red lips parted,
wave after wave of rose color flushing
her startled face. Before he had I'm
ished she had turned and was facing
him, inspiring him to greater effort,
and there passed between them at the
moment a great understanding.
when he had finished Annabelle
pressed her hands against her eyes.
ct feel as If I had always. been asleep
AS though I. had just awakened"
she said softly.
He made no reply. Quietly be put
away the violin which had wrought
this wonderful thing for him, and ST.
lently they entered the little car which
had brought Annabelle so strangely
into the garden.
At home he smiled down at her. 81
may come again.
Eyes, indeed"
Garlic? Long hairT His hand
brushed his cropped head.
II don't mind. really" blushed An
nabelle. with starry eyes.
His tone Of banter changed to one
Of tender gravity. To Ahnabelle :
sounded like the deeper notes Of hi
violin. you ran away from me, anL
yet we met after all. Are you glad?
1 amY' Without waiting for answer
he Jumped into his waiting car and
with a last backward look was gone
Annabelle smiled mysteriously as he
vanished in a cloud of dust. "And
I'm glad, too-glad, gladF' Then with
swift, graceful movement she bent
down and kissed the steering wheel OF
The lfftle automohila