Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-08-15

on the los by the swamp and remsdied
that. The next day she prayed that
the violin would be left again, but heI
petition was not answered.
That night when she returned from
the school she made nm excuse to &c
down to see Billy. He was engaged in
hulling walnuts by driving them
through holes in board. His hands
we're protected by a pair Of Margaret's
old gloves, but he had speckled his
face generously. He looked well and
greeted Elnora hilariously.
Me an the squirrels are laying ny
our winter storesv' he shouted. "'Cos
the cold is coming, an the snow, an II
we have any nuts we have to tx 'em
now. But I'm ahead. COS Uncle Yves.
ley made me this board, and I can hull
a big pile while the old squirrel does
only ist one with his teeth"
Elnora picked him up and kissed him
"Billy, are you happy?" she asked.
Eyes, and SOS Snap" answered Billy
"You ought to see him make the dir
fly when he gets after chipmunk"
He espied Wesley and ran to show
him walnut too big to 20 through the
holes. and Elnora aud Margaret went
into the house.
They talked Of many things for a
time, and then Elnora said suddenly,
Aunt Margaret, like music"
1--WE noticed that in you all your
life" answered Margaret.
II can make a violin talk" announc'
cd Elnora. and then in amazement
watched the face Of Margaret Sinton
grow pale.
"A violin" she wavered. Where did
/ you get a violin?"
"They fairly seemed to speak to me
In the orchestra. One day the con-
,luctor left his in the auditorium, and
l took 1t, and Aunt Margaret l can
make It do the wind in the swamp
the birds and the animals. can
make any sound I ever heard on 1t
II had a chance to practice a little
I could make it do the orchestra music
too. l don't know how I know, but
do"
"Did-did you ever mention 1t tc
your mother!" faltered Margaret.
Eyes, and she seems prejudicet
against them; but, oh, Aunt Margaret
l never felt so about anything not
even going to school, I just feel as
If I'd die If I didn't have one. I coult
keep 1t at school and practice at moor
a whole hour. Soon they'd ask me tt
play in the orchestra. could keeI
it in the case and practice in the
woods in summer. You'd let me play
here over Sunday. oh. Aunt Marga
ret, what does one cost? Would 1t bt
wicked for me to take of my owl
money and buy a very cheap one?
could play on the least expensive one
made"
"Oh, no, you couldn't. A cheap ma
chine makes cheap music. You go
to have a fine fiddle to make 1t sing
But there's no sense In your buying
one. There isn't decent reason or
earth why you shouldn't have you
fa"-
my father'sw cried Elnora. Sht
caught Margaret Slnton by the arm
"My father had violin! He played
It? That's why 1 can! Where Is it
Is 1t In our house? Is it in mothers
room?"
"Elnoraw painted Margaret. "You,
mother will kill me! She Away,
hated it,
Mother dearly loves music" sait
Elnora.
Not when 1t took the man she
loved away from her to make It,"
"Where is my fathers violini"
"Elnoraw
i've never seen q picture of my ia
Their. I've never heard his name men
toned. I've never had a scrap thai
belonged to him. Was he my father
or am a charity child like Billy. and
so she hates me?'
She's got good pictures of him
Seems she just can't bear to hear him
talked about OF course, he was your
father They lived right there when
you were born. She don't dislike you
She just tries to make herself think
she does. There's no sense in the
world in you not having his violin
I've great notion
HAS she got it?"
mo. I've never heard her mention
it. 1t was not at home when he
when he died"
do you know where 1t tsp
"Yes. I'm the only person on earth
who does. except the one who has it."
"Who is that?"
II can't tell you. but I will see II
they have It yet and get 1t II I can