The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-11-30
BY A. MARIA CRAWFORD.
Copyright, 1914. by Associated Lit
erary Press.)

BY A. MARIA CRAWFORD.
Copyright, 1914. by Associated Lit
erary Press.)
That's lovely. Miss Celia. Play
some more," demanded Betty getting
up to spread out her white skirts
with precision before sitting down
again. Il have to keep this dress
mice, you know. because mother has
ton to meet my uncle. and he Is most
particular about the way l look"
so 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
Ike, cause it's been long time
since 1 saw him. He's been travelling
for . 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 q thing, for all the girls adore
Uncle Bob and he could just take
his choice II he wanted any OF them.
You never told me that his name
was Bob. Betty
Didn't Well. that doesn't make
any difference, does IT. Don't you
like the name Of Bob. Miss Celia ?"
Yes OF course. dear. IL just
didn't remember having heard his
name. You haven't told me what
he u Like. Betty
Big as q barn. Daddy says that's
the most oppressive thing you can
say about Uncle Bob
Robert Mayfield Is q very pretty
name. isn't it,"
That's not his name. He is moth
ier's brother. Now please play"
Afraid to arouse the child's sus-
picion by too many questions. Miss
Celia tucked the violin lovingly
under her chin and softly drew the
minute she had forgotten the rapt lit
tle face Of tn echild before her and
was living again In her. romantic
past, which had been OF so short du-
ration that it often seemed as mystic
rious and unreal as q dream.
That's grand. Miss Celia" The
'child's voice brought her back to the
present IT'S mighty sad sounding.
though. 1t makes cold shivers run
up and down my back and l hurt
way inside. Mother says that sounds
like had the heartache, but OF
course. she said, I am too little for
that"
II hope you will stay too little to
know the agony" said Miss Celia.
suddenly wrapping her violin to put
II 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 on
the mountain when the wind blow"
What q fiatterer you are. Betty!
One more, then l must stop. else the
people over in tho hotel will be ask
ing mo to move.
mo. they won't. Everybody says
they love to hear you play. Old Mr..
Wilson says that you can make q
fortune by playing on the stage. This
10 the lovelisst cottage ever saw.
How long are you going to stay on
the mountain. Miss Cellar"
II don't know. dear. I feel AZ II
would like to stay hero always"
Il know all tho girls are charm
ing" said Bob Thorne to his sister,
an they went slowly up the mountain
road, but please keep them at q
distance. I came down here to visit
you and Betty for a week. or course
/ will meet your friends--I don't
want to be q boor-but don't expect
any Chesterfield stun OF me or you
win be disappointed"
Bettys mother looked at the six
feet OF splendid manhood.
''All right" she said quietly and
began to believe her husbands story
OF Bob's love affair.
II haven't seen AIss 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 ana
laid her hand on his knee.
"'Celia!" said 1.-THE man softly.
Celia"
1t was almost twilight and there
was a quiet hush On the mountain.
The notes Of tho violin came to his
ears and their music was NO louder
than the sound Of the south wind az
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 to the man ana turne~
her pink palm to meet the big hand
that had closed pr0tectingly over her
small one.
Soon tho music changed. The
notes grew hight and happy, and
thon launched into q triumphant love
song. It was a. II the player himself
were calling to her mate and It SEEM
ed. 20 insistent was the call, that II
such were the case. he must answer.
sven though he had to como across
q world to her.
Come. Betty" said Bob Thorne
hoarssly. take me over to see your
Miss Celia"
II wanted to take you this morn
ing. but you said you hoped you