The herald., 1912-09-12

"Ah, yes, yes. dare say you are
right I've got some opera things
somewhere, ] believe. Tim, old man,
just have look round while ] start
away with this" He hurrisdly ar
ranged upon the piano a composition
entitled lie Ballet des Sylphes," while
the stranger seated himself In an atti-
tude OF polite attention upon a distant
sofa. The "Sylphes" appeared to
have hardly mastered the intricaCies
OF the ballet, and to have executed
their steps in hob-naied boots, judg-
ing from the hesitating yet thunderous
sounds that the piano now gave forth.
A well-meant, though unsuccessful at
tempt on the musicians part to turn
over with his left hand while sustain
ing the "Sylphes" in their terpsichoral
efforts with his right, brought the mu-
sic in confused heap upon the
ground, and the melody to an abrupt
conclusion.
"Devilish difficult thing that to
play" James announced, breathlessly.
81 ought to have got one Of you to
turn over for me-"
The visitor politely expressed his re-
grets at not having observed Lord
Lough's dilemma in time to offer his
assistance, and begged that we might
be favored with another tune. This.
however, felt must at all costs be
avoided, and l suggested, hurriedly.
that the visitor should now take a
turn at the piano. James, with obvi-
Gus reluctance, seconded my proposal,
and the stranger, after much persua-
sion from me, and none from James.
took his seat on the music stool.
l do not, like James, pretend to have
any knowledge Of music! but to my
untutored ear his performance sound
ed something quite out OF the ordi-
nary. / glanced at James as our guest
rose from the plano, and was certain
from the look Of annoyance on his
face that he was equally impressed.
Capital, capital" he said. airily. 81
see you are quite a professional!
hope you will come over and play to
us again some time when you are
next in the neighborhood."
The tone OF his voice seemed to
express also the hope that such an
event might occur only in the remote
future.
The sound OF a motor on the drive
now reached our ears, and our guest,
with elaborate bows, and many express.
sions Of gratitude, prepared to take
his leave. / accompanied him to the
front door, where l stood and watched
him getting into his car. At the last
moment a thought seemed to strike
him, and, pulling letter case from
his pocket, he produced from 1t card.
pray express my thanks to Lord
Lough," he said, with foreign accent,
and presenting the card to me with .
low bow. Il shall do myself the honor
Of calling to replace the petrol have
borrowed, on my return next week"
With more bows and a final wave
Of his hand he disappeared down the
drive in his motor.
Then / glanced at the card. -
When had recovered from my sur
prise l re-entered the library, from
which the strains OF music warned me
that the "Sylphes" were giving an en-
core performance Of their ballet.
James," / said, when the music
ceased. what did you think Of our
visitor. Played well, what?"
quite well, quite WELL" His tone
lacked enthusiasm. "A slight want Of
execution, perhaps; but a painstaking
performer"
'Painstaking," I said thoughtfully.
eyes, perhaps that is the word l want
ed. Isn't Valaski, James, the new gen.
ius chap? That fellows playing rath-
er reminded me Of his"
James smiled pltyingly at me as he
lightly struck few false notes on the
piano.
''Valaski, Tim," he said. "You
wouldn't know Valaski from a barrel
organl"
laid Valaski's card gently upon the
plano, and went away to play the