Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1913-12-08
KERNEL AND THE HUSK
BY HERMAN AVER.

Niiaee 6ue ndu sat aSioe ana never
had blushed and giggled with Tom or
Jimmie or VIII. nor shared their bags
Of peanuts or all-day suckers.
When they played postofiice nobody
ever called her out into the dark hall
to be kissed, and none Of the boys ever
dropped a pillow in front Of her. 1t
was not that Margaret was not pretty,
for she was. with a sort Of serious,
delicate beauty. Nor was it that she
did not want TO be admired and court.
ed. for she did more ardently than any
OF the girls.
Il was because of a sort of inherent
dignity. an involuntary reserve which
she really did not feel in her heart,
but which she could not help express
ing in her physical contact with 9th.
ers And so she went through her
girlhood-lonesome and wistful for the
pleasures the other girls had. but
somehow set apart by nature.
All this before Philip Breasted came
to town in search of a few weeks rest
from the war in the great world OF
which he was part. He was a thor.
ough man Of the world, q connoisseur,
a literateur an artist
The first time be heard Margaret
Burson touch the piauo-she always
played at every entertainment or so
cial gathering sought an intro
duction and became a most devoted
knight. The townsfolk looked on
IL
aware that Margaret could play on
the piano like a thoroughbred, but
they did not appreciate, as did this
experienced stranger. that she had the
divine spark Of genius.
who is she?" he asked, eagerly.
who? Oh, Margaret, she's the
granddaughter Of Bin Burson," was
the reply Mother was Martha Bur
son. Mother ran away from home
With some musician fellow-forget his
name. Old man Burson raised the lit
tie girl and always called her Mar
garet Burson."
It was the mark Of genius Phiiin
Breasted detected in Margaret's divine
touch on the piano which attracted him
20 her. No sooner had he made her
acquaintance, however, than he was
struck with the remarkable nature of
the girl-her beauty, her shrinking
sensibilities, her deep. ardent nature
From being merely interested. he
became enraptured and began to VOC
her assiduously, and with all the Sc
ductive grace of the experienced man
of the world.
Immediately a new world opened to
the girl. All the pent-up emotion and
imagination repressed so long famed
forth and lowered. She responded to
the admiration and love offered her
with all the intensity of her passionate
nature
Breasted really loved the girl, too,
but he had no idea of marrying a sim.
pie country maiden and setting up
dove-cote in the city, which he knew
well would presently bore him. No,
no, he had other and wiser plans. He
would develop the great musical tai
ent in the girl and would push her for
ward until she came into her own
enced. Then he would marry her and
they would set up an establishment
which would be sought by the clever
and the great.
When he took Margaret in his arms
and outlined his plans she broke into
a storm Of passionate sobs.
Il don't want to be rich or famous
or-or-anything," she said. Il only
want to be happy and to love you
It touched him to the heart, but he
had had much experience with men
and women and his clear brain ever
ruled his actions. So he went on with
gentle insistenee until he gained his
point.
Il will do it because you want me
to, Philip" she sobbed Il am afraid
oh, so much afraid that it is not the
way TO happiness. but ] love you,
love you and will do whatever you
say"
The years sped on and the simple
country girl slowly mounted the thorny
path of art
Finally came the great day when
she made her debut as a star pianist
and startled the musical world with
her performance. When Breasted came
to her with shining eyes to congratu-
late her she gave him a cold hand and
a little tired smile.
Il am glad you are pleased" she
said.
Triumph after triumph was hers
after this until her name was in every
mouth and all honors and riches were
heaped upon her.
Then Philip Breasted came to claim
his own
Nov, Margaret" he said, I'VE can
have the happiness we have waited
for--and it will be the sweeter for the
waiting and because we know it will
last When shall it be?"
Dear Philip" she replied. calmly.
1T cannot be. do not know how it
is. but my nature has not run for two
gods. Heaven knows how dearly I
wanted it to be Love, but you drove
me to espouse Art. And Art is king
Love has gone. forever"
Philip Breasted looked into the clear
eyes before him and reading the truth
dropped his head upon his breast. He
knew then that he had sacrificed the
i-,~r,al For the hsr~l-