The Raymer enterprise., 1911-07-06
At the Crucial Moment
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS

she take 1t or leave 1t? She faced him
and looked squarely into his eyes.
Il will come" she said. "and will
try to make myself worthy Of your
generosity" She arose. II shall
have to find substitute for tomor.
rows service at the church"
Miss Warren. my pupil. Is ready
for such practice-let me send her."
suggested Poppini. And now. waste
no time. Make your arrangements to
come to my house and begin your
work at once"
Muriel extended her hand in crate.
ful acknowledgment Of his kindness
and In that moment when his great
hand closed over her she realized
that here was man whose magne-
tism she felt keenly.
Muriel was only half finished with
her term Of lessons when she was
forced to acknowledge to herself that
she was In love with her music mas.
ter. Also. she was poignantly con,
scious of his Indifference to her as
anything but a pupil. Knowing this.
she spent her energy on her literary
work and as II in subtle reward &C.
ceptances literally poured upon her.
For year she fought against the
love which she had for him. At the
end of that time great success
came to her. She sold her novelette,
for an Unexpected sum. This made 1t
possible for her to take coveted trip
abroad. With this In view she sought
an interview with Popplnl.
She found him In his studio liter.
ally crushing out great volume Of
tone on the piano. When she entered
he finished with a tremendous clamor
and turned 10 face her.
Muriel went to him and stood close
to the plano. calm and composed
even In the face Of her dimcult mis-.
sion.
Professor Popplni." she began, II
sail for the continent at the end OF
the week"
Poppini turned his great. dark eyes
upon her. Only for moment did he
show surprise. Save for a shade Of
white about bis eyes and a feeling
that he had suddenly donned a suit
Of armor. Muriel could detect no mark
Of the effect Of her words.
VIII you study-over there?" he
asked.
I-don't know-as yet | have not
made up my mind" She met his eyes
and the pain in his own brought a
hush to her cheeks.
DO you tell me that you are CIV.
ing up your music?-you. with your
wonderful voice?-you whom know
to be wholly wrapped up In 1t? | will
not permit 1t. As my pupil forbid
you to 60. Stay with me only six
months more. II you like-but stay!
Then all musical New York shall
hear you and you may leave II you
please" He arose. Now, get on
your things and 60 for long walk
to think It over"
The girl sought relief from the
strain Of her emotions In peal Of
laughter-laughter that savored OF
hysteria. There is NO use In any
ones trying to have a mind Of her
own In this house." she said.'
Not when that mind discloses fla.
grant weakness" Poppini turned to
the open window and Muriel. once
more defeated. left the room.
During the next six months II
seemed to Muriel that the music mas.
ter and Miss Warren we're unneces.
sarily friendly. The lesson hours
when Miss Warren was the pupil
seemed unusually long and Muriel
was forced to fight her jealousy as
well a. her love. At the same time.
she made wonderful strides In her
music and she could not help but real
ise that glorious future awaited her.
When. at last, the night OF her
debut arrived she had never been
more beautiful. In her gown Of white
which she wore at the suggestion
nay. commanded Poppini. she was
lithesome figure penciled in the
lines Of creamy chiffon. Her great
blue eyes and her dull gold hair and
the confidence Of youth In her manner
all lent charm to the picture as she
stood In the dimly lighted alcove Oh
the stage.
At this moment she was thankful
to Poppini for having. all unconscious.
ly. carried her through the gamut OF
emotions: It would aid her in her
power OF expression. Also. she knew.
that fulfllment alone would set the
seal on her name In the world. SO
long as she knew that he loved no
one. she could bear It; II he loved
another
At the sound OF his footsteps she
turned and deep color surged to
her temples for very fear that he had
read the thoughts he Interrupted.
Without preliminaries. Poppini
took Muriel In his arms. 1T has
been thus from the beginning" he
said. did you not realize III"
Muriel looked up. She had never
seen SO great light In the eyes OF
any man and all In that brief moment
tN hAo