The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-05-16
BY ANNA PHILLIPS SEE.
Copyright. 1911. by Associate
Literary Press

copyright 1911. BY Associated
Literary Press
For servant TO play the pisnt
and play 1t we'll is an unusual thing,
Mrs. Green, the harassed keeper OF a
New York lodging house wondered "a,
her German maids proficiency, But
New York is the clearing house al
the nations and Mrs. Green had
learned not to he surprised at strange
happenings. Elsa had come To her
With no recommendation but her
honest face and her Willingness TO
work. She told her employer moth
ing OF her past
AT Mrs. Green There was plenty
to do ard the German maid toiled
all day long plaiuingly. When
her work was done she ASKED for bat
one privuege---to play on the batter
ed piano in the parior II no one was
about. Then and then only she smiled
as she drew from the Keys the nelo-
dies Of her fatherland. Why she had
left that country WAS her own secret.
but she was plainly pining Tor her
. home and people.
One evening Mrs. Green and the
noisy dodgers were all away. over
the house brooded blessed quiet
Elsa stole iuta the par)og and seated
herself at the piano, but her fingers
only rested oH the KEGS, she was not
playing. Her thoughts were sad. No
one IN this vast city cared whether
she i4Ved OF died She had not a
single friend THE tears battered on
the piano keys as she rested her
head against the music rack
Suddenly, from above. came the
sHeet tones of "a violin played with
skill and feeling. Elsa listened en-
trsnced. every nerve thrilling IN APP
probation 0f The exquisite harmonies.
From the music of the masters the
PLAYER glided into a German air dear
a. the heart of the homesick listener.
I4er fingers automatically felt for the
accom- paninent, and she softly touch
ed the Keys Iva time with the violin,
Then she forgot herself and every
thing hut the music. The old piano
resounded to her hand joyous WAY es
III harmony rolled through the room
enr!ching the air as carried by the
violin. The player changed his theme
Gld German folks songs, chorals.
Snatehes ar operas--he played them
ali lovingly. and the girl followed at
the piano below
All al once the music ceased Elsa
drew long breath as II awakening
from a dream. but she sitll sat at
eaea hands resting on the keyboard.
There was the sound Of footsteps
on the stairs and then a tap on the
half open door. A big. blond young
man. Enthusiastically German, stood
smiling in the doorway.
The music ii was good. ach 40
good he said approvingly The
songs Of the Fatheriand move thu
heart. is il not go 2'
The tears rose again to Elsa eyes
but this time they did not burn. the.
were refreshing like summer showers
Al first she could not speak THIS
young man seemed not to notice bel
emotion. He drew up a chair anG
talked easily until she had recovered
herself. Before she knew II she was
chatting gayly with this Cheerful
stranger for he Was. from the hom'
country. She smiled, she actuali!
ianghted--~the little sad Elsa Tn,
color rose In her cheeks and tw,
dimples came into being The youn,
man. whose name proved to be Ru
fiolph Heide. enjoyed the transforma
ton lie prolonged that enjoymen
till the asthmatic cuckoo ctocl
warned him that the hour was late.
After that evening the violin anC
piano kept company whenever Their,
WAS an opportunity When there wa
none. Rudolph and Elsa did thel
hest 10 make mp for the absence o
the music Pale little Elsa hloome,
into beauty. and went about he
work ever humming the beloved Ger
man airs. Mrs. Green watched tn
romance with kind eyes. Even
lodging house keeper may have i
heart concealed about her person
One Sunday afternoon the lover
wandered through the park They sa
down on retired shady bencf,
Then Rudolph spoke.
Little one" he said. tenderly. a.
have now the place in the orchestra
Of which | told thee. There will b.
bread enough for two couIdst tho,