The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1914-01-02
KERNEL AND The HUSk
BY n hRMAN AVER.

village she had sat aside and never
had blushed and giggled with Tom or
Jimmie or VIII. nor shared their bags
of peanuts or alIday suckers.
When they played postof1ce 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.
1t 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
Embellishments 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 few weeks rest
from the war In the great world of
which he was part. He was thor
ough man OF the world, a connoisseur,
a lterateur, an artist.
The first time he heard Margaret
Burson touch the piano-she always
played at every entertainment or 30
cial gathering-he sought an intro
duction and became a most devoted
knight The townsfolk looked on
wideeyed- To be sure they were
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 Bill 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 Philip
Breasted detected in Margaret's divine
touch on the piano which attracted him
to her. No sooner had he made her
acquaintance, however, than he was
struck with the remarkable nature Of
the girHher beauty, her shrinking
sensibilities, her deep, ardent nature.
From being merely interested, he
became enraptured and began to WOO
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 lad no idea OF marrying a sim
pie country maiden and setting up a
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
until she became famous and expert
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 look 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. II only
want to be happy and to love you"
It touched him to the heart, but he
had had much experience with men
aRd women and his clear brain e-sr
ruled his actions. So he went on with
gentle insistence until he gained his
point.
Il will do 1t because you want me
to, Philip" she sobbed. II am afraid.
oh, so much afraid that it is not the
way to happiness. but I love you,
love you and l 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 star pianist
and startled the musical world with
her performance. When Breasted came
to her with shining eyes to congratu-
late her sbs gave him cold hand and
q 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.
Now, 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. I do not know how Ii
is, but my nature has not run for two
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
kernel for the hush.
In q Way.
Gladys-Dtd the hostess put you
mart IN Mr. verSfxsf ar fho dinner 1s sk