The Washington times., 1911-09-30
CHAPTER II.
Death Dances to Music.

n s Mildred had foretold, Their
~ were many planned-for pleas
~ ures to be crowded into the mex
two days, and it was Monda,
evening before time could be found 70
the proposed musicale.
Now" said Philip, as after a lat
dinner few Of US strolled into tn
music room. Now I'll show you how
to produce an Instantaneous concert"
In less than half an hour Philip haC
issued orders, by telephone to severa
musical neighbors TO report at once 70
duty; had arranged chairs and music
stands, and was rapidly selecting piec,
after piece OF Music from caDine
when the guests arrived. They wer,
soon made acquainted with the younL
people staying at Maxwell Hall, and !
nielry musical evening was the imme
date result.
Not 4 formal concert. but desultory
snatches of song, violin obligatos, or In
pro"isations, and now and then a rous
ing chorus or banjo quartet
The guests from the village were al
well known to me, and one of them, DIR
Sheldon, Was u good friend OF mine. He
was, young man. but one who had
made his mark.
Indeed, he had often discussed with
me his cherished project of going to
New York and becoming a specialist In
For some unaccoJntablt reason people
always confided In me. Philip said II
was because of the ridiculous habit
had Of pretending to be interested in
their tCorSh troubles or plans.
On this particular evening I was des-
tined to receive two condolences from
separate sources. but about the same
person, which caused me no little sur
prise and anxiety.
Miss Maxwell was the first one to I'M
burden her mind to me.
Before the guests arrived CHANGED to
see her sitting alone in the drawing
room, and l went and sat by her for a
few moments chat.
She seemed preoccupied, and after
some perfunctory answers to my trivial
remarks, she said:
"Peter"-she always called by by my
first name. and somehow her soft, sweet
voice gave the ugly word a pleasant
sound-"there is something wrong with
Philip. l can't imagine what 1t is. but
for q week or more he has been so diff
ferent 1t began all at once.
''One day last week he came to lunch
con looking so harassed and worried
that my heart ached for him. / said
nothing about tive are not confiden-
tial as a family. you know-I only tried
to be especially gentle and tender to-
He spoke sharply to his uncle, he failed
to show his usual deferential courtesy
to me and he behaved altogether like a
man stunned and bewildered by some
sudden misfortune.
II talked TO his uncle about 1t when
we were alone, and he. too, had noticed
II. but could not account for 1t in any
way. He thought perhaps 1t might be
money difficulties of some sort, and he
offered TO increase Philips allowance
But Philip refused to accept an increase
and said he had no debts and plenty Of
SDPnnlnR a ar n ta'
end to understand it."
Gould II have anything to do with
Miss Leslie?" l asked.
Il think So" replied Miss Miranda,
looking about to make sure we were not
overheard. He is very much In love
with her, and 1 think she cares for him,
but she is such coQuettish little rogue
that one cannot be sure of her Be-
sides, this trouble of Philips began be-
fore he planned this house party and
lie and her sister down here"
Does he talk frankly to you about
Mildred?"
"Oh, yes, he hopes to win her-in-
deed, he says he feels confident OF sue
ceeding But I think he tries to per-
suade himself that he will succeed, while
really she is breaking his heart over her
firtati with Gilbert Crane"
Gilbert Crane!" I exclaimed, greatly
surprised.
les, our IelIO"-tOWnSman ana one
Of Philips best friends"
But he can't hold a candle to
Philip"
Il know it. Philip is rich. or will be,
and Philip is handsome and talented,
while Gilbert is none of these. But
somehow he has a queer sort of fascina-
ton over Mildred, and she Is certainly
very gracious to him.
Philip and Gilbert are as good friends
as ever, aren't they"
Yes. l think so. At least they were
Until yesterday. But Mildreds evident
preference for Gilbert's society has
Philip. and, though he treat.
Gilbert as kindly as ever. I've seen him
ook at him as II he wondered how he
could play such an unfriendly part"
You think, then. to put 1t plainly.
hat Gilbert Is trying to win Mildred
away from Philip
II do, and / think Philip is as much
hurt by Gilbert's treacnery as by Mil
ired's fickleness. But I cannot think
hat II is this affair that worried Philip
10 last week. For then Mildred hadn't
,ome and Gilbert was right here all the
line, and he and Philip We're insepara-
Die. No. it's something else, and l can,
imagine what
Phil seems about as usual to me-"
said.
yes, he is much brighter since you
voung people came. More like his old
;elf But when he's alone, even now, he
lrops into an attitude of absolute de-
pair. I've seen him, and 1t is some
hing very dreadful that has come tn