Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1910-10-01

sank into It with a little sigh OF relief
Al WIN 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 Il
seems to be the maids half holiday,
80 you must be satisfied with my hum
BILE services. Here are current wine
and some biscuits and 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 fits pungent aroma.
Thank you. i 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 he 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. Hes been eating his
head or lately and grumbling because
I 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 facet 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, a broad smile about his
toothless lips.
II 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 nrbor. II 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 tinkered 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
tion- 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.
$50 you did not want to see Alvan
Eidred," he said little later "Have
you ever heard him playr'
"Once," admitted Annabelle, "and II
was so heavenly 1t made me cry.
There was a big crowd, and L 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 an old thing, the inter
mezzo from -Cavaileria,' 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.
81 know you think I'm horrid about
1t and not bit artistic, but
81 don't like garlic myself" he con-
fessed cheerfully. AS for questiona-
BILE coat collars-ughi 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. 81 never
even knew that / 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 not yet
introduced myself Wait q 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
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 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.
81 feel as II had always been asleep
las though I had just awakened"
she said softly.
He made no reply. Quietly he 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 againT
Yes, indeed"
"Gariic1 Long hairT' His hand
brushed his cropped head
II don't mind. really" blushed An
nabelle. with starry eyes.