Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-12-21
Ceia's Bow
'coDyright. 1911. BY Associated Literary Press.l
X
By MARIA CRAWFORD

/ 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 nc louder
than the sound of the south wind as
1t sighed through the pine trees and
stirred the maple leaves touched with
the crimson of the fall. There was
the pain of an aching heart in the
music of the strings and Betty nestled
closer tothe man and turned her pink
palm to meet the big hand that had
closed protectingly 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"
Il 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 see!"
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. "is my
Miss Celia, Uncle Bob"
Entirely yours?" gravely question
ed the man as be took Miss 'Celia's
cold little hands in his own.
The introduction properly effected,
Betty went off in search of Miss
'Celia's mother and the cookies that
were always ready for her.
We'll" asked the man, sis 1t al
ways to be Just the violin, Cellar"
His tone held the bitterness of long
suffering.
Not if you-if you still want me"
answered the girl breathlessly. Then
when she was clasped close to him
a voice from somewhere under his
chin said, "Oh, l was so afraid it,
wouldn't be you after all. and you
wouldn't hear tonight"
cecilia, how did it happen? What
has come to change you so?"
"Time," said Celia, "and sorrowfull
loneliness. Art may be enough for
some women, Bob, but l am not one
of the elect"
"Elect?" scornfully.
Il thought / owed it to mother toi
make something out of my music
when l had been so carefully eduGat-i
ed. l tried harder than ever after
you went away" i.gy3
after you sent me away" he in
terrupted. F.,
"But my genius came down to,
merely talent and l grew discouraged
I broke down then, gave up my coll
lege work and came to the mountains
to get strong and try to forget-you.
But when l met Betty | gave up all,
hope Of forgetting, for she has your
way Of demanding things and getting
what she wants."
mot always" There was a shadow
in the mans ayes at thought Of his
lonely journey over the world to for
get one face and the sound of one
violin.
Don't look like that, Bob" cried
the girl. II am SO much better fit
ter for you tiff you still want me-"
!, "You know l tried to believe that I
was a modern / wanted a
career and fame. Betty made me
realize that a happy life for a woman
is bounded by love and a home"
God bless Betty" said her uncle
f~ervently.
when l heard that a nan was
coming, and all they told me was
that his name was Bob, and that he
was big, l 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 mel?
I'll never play again, Bob, unless
| you want to hear me.p 4
That will be often, dear. l am not
selfish and I'll never be jealous Of
: your violin again. TO tell you the
truth, / have run from the sound Of
a violin for a year, for the music of
one always made me want you"
1 You ran to it tonight"
Y "Only because | knew the sound of
your bow on the strings, and I knew
that ! would find you here. So you
are really going to give up walking
z the boards in the glare Of the foot
lights?"
YES" said the girl, happily, for
s a space no larger than the circle Of
your arms"
Sand the light?'
"Of one mans eyes"