The Van Buren press., 1911-12-23
Miss Celia's Bow
Copyright Isu, by Associated Literary PrsssJ
By MARIA CRAWFORD

II was almost twilight and there
was quiet hush On the mountain.
The notes of the violin came to his
ears and their music was no louder
than the sound of the south wind as
/ it sighed through the pine trees and
stirred the maple leaves touched with
/ he crimson of the fall There was
| the pain of an aching heart in the
music Of the strings and Betty nestled
| closer to the man and turned her pink
palm to meet the big hand that had
closed protectlngIy over her small
one
Soon the music changed. The notes
grew light and happy and then
launched into a triumphant love song.
Come, Betty" said Bob Thorne
! hoarsely, take me over to see your
Miss Celia"
- wanted to take you this morn
ing but you said you hoped you would
be delivered from any girls here I'm
awful glad we're going | Just can't
get along without seeing Miss Celia
every day"
Betty pushed open the door and
peered in the shadows Of the living
room in the cottage
Wait" she whispered to the man
beside her, and went in alone.
Hello, Miss Celia Let's light the
candles so we can seel"
That task accomplished Betty de-
manded more music so 1t was that
just as Miss Celia lifted the little
rosewood instrument to her shoulder
Bob Thorne, finding that he could
wait no longer. stepped into the glow
of the candles
This" said Betty proudly, us my
Miss Celia, Uncle Bob"
Entirely yours" gravely question
ed the man as he took Miss Celias
cold little hands in his own.
The introduction properly effected,
Betty went off in search of Miss
Celia's mother and the cookies that
we're always ready for her.
Well" asked the man, "is It al
Ways to be just the violin, 'Celia?"
lis tone held the bitterness Of long
Not if you-if you still want me"
nswered the girl breathlessly Then
'hen she was clasped close to him
voice from somewhere under his
hin said, "Oh, was so afraid It
couldn't be you after all, and you
'ouldn't hear tonight"
" Celia, how did It happen? What
as come to change you so?"
Time" said Celia, "and sorrowful
'neIiness, Art may be enough for
1me women, Bob, but ! am not one
the elect"
Elect" scornfully.
81 thought ! owed It to mother TO
AXE something out Of my music
hen | had been so carefully educat.
l. | tried harder than ever after
,u went av.nv---[ |" ,,.....,,
l!4,t A--er 4" 'ssi- - H-. ---h-s
After you sent me away" he In
But my genius came down TO
merely talent and / grew discouraged
broke down then, gave up my col .
ege work and came to the mountains
o get strong and try to forget-you /
But when ! met Betty | gave up al .
lope Of forgetting, for she has your .
way Of demanding things and getting .
what she wants"
Not always" There was shadow .
n the mans eyes at thought Of his .
onely Journey over the world to for.
get one face and the sound Of one
'ioln
Don't look like that Bob" cried |
he girl q am so much better NJ. .
er for you if--if you still want me"
You know / tried to believe that .
was modern woman wanted a
career and fame Betty made me
realize that a happy life for q woman
IS bounded by love and a home"
God bless Betty" said her uncle
'eryenty
when ! heard that man was
coming, and all they told me was
that his name was Bob, and that he
was big hoped oh. you don't know
how / hoped and prayed that he
would prove by some miracle to be
you"
$50 you are willing to give up a
career for me-"
"ru never play again, Bob. unless
you want to hear me"
THAT win bc often dear am not
selfish and I'M never be Jealous Of
your violin again To tell you the
truth. ! have run from tho sound Of
O violin for q year for the music Of
one always made me wan, you"
"iou ran 10 II tonight"
"Ouly because knew the sound Of
your bow on The strings and know
that would find you here SO you
are really going 10 give mp walking
the boards In the glare of the foot
llghts7"
Yes" said the glrl happily "for
o space mo- larger than tho circle oi
your arms
and the lIght9"
"Of one mans Dyes"
.~~-Dae.-.aaa~.~s.e-a-~@e1aaoa..s.