The Topeka state journal., 1911-05-13
THE EVENING STORY
A Girl of Gold.
CBy Anna Phillips See.)

play 1t well is an unusual thing. Mrs.
| Green, the harassed keeper of New
| York lodging house, wondered at her
| German maids proficiency. But New
York is the clearing house of the ma
tions and Mrs. Green had learned not
| to be surprised at strange happenings.
Elsa had come to her with no recon-
mendations but her honest face and her
willingness to work. She told her en-
ployer nothing of her past.
At Mrs. Green's there was plenty to
| do and the German maid toiled all day
| long uncomplainingly. When her work
was done she asked for but one priVi-
| lege-to play on the battered piano in
| che parlor if no one was about. Then
and then only she smiled as she drew
| from the keys the melodies of her faith
| erland. Why she had left that country
was her own secret, but she was plain
| ly pining for her home and people.
One evening Mrs. Green and the
| noisy dodgers we're all away. Over the
house brooded a blessed quiet. Elsa
stole into the parlor and seated herself
at the piano, but her fingers only rest
| ed on the keys, she was not playing.
Her thoughts were sad. Ne one in this
vast city cared whether she lived or
| died. She had not single friend. The
tears pattered on the piano keys as she
rested her head against the music rack.
Suddenly, from above, came the
sweet tones of a violin played with skill
and feeling. Elsa listened entranced,
every nerve thrilling in appreciation of
the exquisite harmonies. From the
music of the masters the player glided
into German air dear to the heart of
the homesick listener. Her fingers au-
tomatically felt for the accompaniment,
and she softly touched the keys in time
with the violin. Then she forgot her
self and everything but the music. The
old piano resounded to her hand: Joy
OILS of harpnnnU
the room, enrichtng the air as carried
by the violin. The player changed his
theme. Old German folk-songs, chorals.
snatches of operas-he played them ali
lovingly. and the girl followed at the
piano below.
All at once the music ceased. Elsa
drew long breath as if awakening
from a dream, but she still sat at
the piano with her little toil-roughen-
ed hands resting on the keyboard.
Ihere was the sound of footsteps on
the stairs and then a tap on the half
open door. A big. blond young man
unmlstek kably German, stood smiling
in the doorway.
The music. it was good, each SO
good" he said approvingiy. 1.-THE songs
Of the fatherland move the heart, is il
not so?''
The tears rose again to Elsa's eyes,
but this time they did not burn; they
We're refreshing like summer showers.
AT hrst she could not speak. The
young man seemed not to notice her
emotion. He drew up a chair and
talked easily until she had recovered
herself. Before she knew it she was
chatting gayly with this cheerful
stranger, who was indeed not a stran-
ger, for he was from the home coun-
try. She smiled. she actually laughed
the little sad Elsai The color rose
in her cheeks and two dinples came
into being. The young man. whose
name proved to be Rudolph Heide, en-
joyed the transformation. He prolong-
ed that enjoyment till the asthmatic
cuckoo clock warned him that the hour
was late.
After that evening the violin and
piano kept company whenever there
was an opportunity: When there was
none, Rudolph and Elsa did their best
to make I'D for the absence of the
music. Pale little Elsa bloomed into
beauty, and went about her work ever
humming the beloved German airs. Mrs.
Green watched the romance with kind
eyes, Even a lodging house keeper
may have a heart concealed about her
person.
One Sunday afternoon the lovers
wandered through the park. They sat
down on a retired shady beach. Then
Rudolph spoke.
Little one" he said. tenderly. "I
have now the place In the orchestra
of which told thee. There will be
bread enough for two. Could'st thou
marry a poor musician, who loves
thee?''
Elsa's hand slipped into his as she
breathed rather than said, ''Yes, Ru-
dolph."
There was no one in sight, not even
an absent-minded policeman. Only
curious sparrow saw how Elsa blushed
when Rudolph gave her that first kiss.
A month before their wedding day a
letter came from Germany for Ru-
dolph. After he had read it he paced
his room for hours. When he sought
spoke with new authority.
Dear, I must now tell thee the
truth. 1 wished to wait till after our
marriage, but things have happened
father has suddenly died. Ny mother
sends for me and I must go to Ger
many to look after our affairs. I new
er thought to have it, for my father
not marry the girl he had chosen for
me. 1 would never even see her-the
gilded one. desired love before mar
riage. So I ran away to America, and
brought thee to me, dear heart.
But If my mother needs me, must
go for little while"
"And does she wish thee to marry
Elsa wistfu1ly. perhaps now-to
'rWhat, marry Fraulein Herter of
the money-bags, now that I have
found thee? No, no!''
Elsa turned very white and uttered
a little cry. She seized her lovers
ar. Rudolph. tell me the truth. What
Is thy real name?"
"Rudolph Won Heide-Edeisheim." he
replied proudly.
The effect on Elsa of this admission
was astonishing. She gasped and be-
came paler still. Then the color
efr ho1h int har 70 Aav