The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-27
The EVENING STORY
Miss ,CeIa.s Bow.
CBy A. Maria Crawford,

up to spread out her white skirts with
precision before sitting down again.
| nave to keep this dress nice, you
know, because mother has gone down
the mountain to the station to meet my
uncle, and he is most particular about
the way 1 look"
/ 80 your uncle is coming! What is
he like, Betty?''
Mother said she hoped he would
fall in love with you, for she thought
you were the finest girl she ever knew.
can't tell you what he's like, cause
It's been long time since 1 saw him.
He's been travelling for a long while.
Daddy said he's been in love with some
girl who wouldn't marry him, but
| mother laughed and said he was silly
to say such a thing, for all the girls
1 adore Uncle Bob and he could just
take his choice if he wanted any of
them .
You never told me that his name
Didn't I? Well, that doesn't make
any difference, does it? Don't you
like the name of Bob, Miss Celia ~
Yes. of course, dear. II Just
didn't remember having heard his
name. You haven't told me what he
is like, Betty"
big as a barn. Daddy says that's
the most oppressive thing you can say
about Uncle Bob
Robert Mayfield is a very pretty
name isn't il?
That's not his name He is moth
Afraid to arouse the child's suspi-
cion by too many questions, Miss Celia
tucked the violin lovingly under her
chin and softly drew the fragile bow
across the strings. In minute she
had forgotten the rapt little face of he
child before her and was living again
IN her romantic past which had been
of so short duration that it often SEEM
ed as mysterious and unreal as a
dream.
That's grand, Miss Celia. The
child's voice brought her back to the
present. Its mighty sad sounding,
thought. 1t makes cold shivers run
up and down my back and L hurt way
inside. Mother says that sounds like
1 had the heartache, but, of course.
she said am too little for that
Il hope you will stay too little to
know the agony" said Miss Celia sud
denly wrapping her violin to put it
away.
PLAY one jolly piece and make me
feel good, Miss Celia. Try that one
where leaves are dancing. 1t sounds
just like the leaves do out there en-
the mountain when the wind blows.
What a flatterer you are, Betty
One more, then I must stop. else the
people over in the hotel will be ask
ing me to move
mo they won't. Everybody says
they love to hear you play. Old Mr..
wilson says that you can make a
fortune by playing on the stage. This
IS the loveliest cottage I ever saw.
How long are you going to stay on the
mountain, Miss Celia ~
Il don't know. dear. I feel as if
would like to stay here always"
Il know all the girls are charming"
said Bob I'horne to his sister as thew
Went slowly up the mountain road.
but please keep them at distance.
| came down here to visit you and
Betty for a week. OF course I will
meet your friendS-I don't want to be
a boor-but don't expect any Chester
q Ct II Of
pointed
Betty's mother looked at the six
feet of splendid manhood.
'All right she said quietly and be-
gan to believe her husbands story of
Bob's love affair.
4 haven't seen Miss Celia all day !
I wonder why she hasn't played any. |
There. listen, Uncle Bob, that's my
Miss Celia playing now
Betty moved closer to her big uncle |
where he sat on the hotel steps and !
laid her hand on his knee.
"'Celia!" said the man softly, |
e Cellar!
1t was almost twilight and there was
a quiet hush on the mountain. The |
notes of the violin came to his ears
and their music was no louder than I
sighed through the pine trees and stir
red the maple leaves touched with the /
of the fall. There was the /
pain of an aching heart in the music /
to the man and turned her pink palm
to meet the big hand that had closed
protecting1y over her small one.
Soon the music changed. The notes
grew light and happy and then launch
ed into a triumphant love song. It
was as if the player herself We're call
ing to her mate and it seemed, so in
sistent was the call, that if such were
he had to come across a world to her.
Come, Betty said Bob Thorne,
hoarsely. take me over to see your
Miss Celia
s'I wanted to take you this morning
but you said you hoped you would be
delivered from any girls here. I'm
awful glad we're going I Just can
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 see!
That task accomplished Betty de-
more music. So it 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. is my
Miss Celia, Uncle Bob
ENTIRELY yours?'' gravely questioned
the man as he took Miss Cella coid
little hands in his own.
The Introduction properly effected.
Betty went off in search of Miss 'Cesta's
mother and the cookies that were al
WAYS ready for her
WELL asked the man sis it always
to be lust the violin. Celia ?" His tone
held the bitterness o. long suffering
Not if you-if you still want me"
answered the girl breath1essly. Then
when she was clasped close to him a
voice from somewhere under his chin