Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-31
JOHN ERLETGT1-
SCHOOLMASTER
A GRIPPING STORY OF LOVE. MYSTERY AND KIDNAPPING

mother had taken her to see him at the
hospital. And lie laughed and said that
he had just flung his arms out anyhow.
But she knew that IL was not true. The
color mounting to his cheeks had told
her that.
The memory of his face came back very
clearly to her now, as she sat in the big
chair by the fire. When she had first
seen 1t in the box at the opera 1t had re-
minded her of a small picture that hung
in the Long Gallery-a monk seated at
the keys of an organ, with the light from
some window far overhead streaming
down upon his forehead and his slim
delicate hands. She had noticed the
hands OF James Travers-had looked at
them on purpose. They were just like
those of the monk-the hands of q musi-
cian-strong and slender and supple. 1t
was not until afterwards that she learned
that he was pianist of more than ordi-
nary ability, and that he was eating his
heart out in the dull routine work of a
big bank. Mrs Travers had told her
that.
when he gets better" she thought.
1--WE must do something for him. Surely
with all our money we can do something
for him."
1t pleased her to think of the power Of
great wealth. She had grown so used to
everything that money can purchase that
she had never quite realized before what
1t would mean for a mana gentleman
to be very poor. Her knowledge of pow
erty was confined to the people in the viii
lage. They had no ambitions, and
seemed to be very happy. But here was
different kind OF poverty altogether
man bound TO work in a bank when
he wanted to become n great musician,
simply because he could not afford the
time for long course of study and prac-
tce. 1t was shameful that such a thing
was possible. Well, 1t could be remedied,
out of so much money surely little
could be spared for the man who had
saved her from Disagreement, perhaps
even from DEATH One doctor had said
that II her head had gone through the
glass she would very probably have been
killed.
For half an hour she sat curled I'D in
the Dig armchair, indulging In her love
OF romance. Then she went to the piano
and began to tinlzle out a sad little tune
She was still playing when the door
opened ana her mother entered the room
"oh, mother dear" she said, jumpIne
on the music-stool and fiinglng her arms
round Lady Wimberley's neck, ''I am so
slad you've conceive such a lot want
TO talk to you about. I've been thinking
about Mr.. Travers. How is he, mother?
Have you heard? Have you been to see
him?"
Yes. Joan dear" Lady Wimberley
answered gently. 1T saw him Yesterday.
He-he wished to be remembered TO YOU
he gave me message-I-I don't know
whether 1 ought to give II to you-oh,
Joan, my darling, I've terrible news for
you"
The girl flushed crimson, and then her
race grew very white. She looked at her
mother with pleading anxious eyes
1T Is not" she faltered-"he is not
In any danger-mother dear-you don't
mean"
His life is in no danger" Lady VIM
berley interrupted. but his right hand.
Joan dear-they've tried to save it-they
feared from the first that an operation
might be necessary. Yesterday they per-
formed the operation"
The girl looked at her mother for a
few seconds without speaking. Then she
hung herself into a chair and hid her
face In her hands and burst into tears.
Her mother laid her gentle hand on the
quivering shoulder
loan. my darling" she said in a low
voice, you must not think II was your
fault. You must not look at II like that"
1T was through me-" the girl sobbed-
''for my sake"
I'VE shall look after him." said Lady
Wimberley. "as II he We're my own SON
of course, after this
What can you give himT the girl
cried. rising to her fest. with her cheeks
afiame. What can any one give him
IN the place OF what he has lost-all his
life was in his music-his mother told me
so-all his life-and now he can do moth
ing-nothing."
Joan, my dear little girl, you must not
give way like this. Let me give you the
message he sent you-yesterday, when he
knew that he would have to lose his right
hand. He said. Please tell Lady Joan
that she's not 10 Worry about this-that
I'm proud and glad 70 think that was of
service 70 her. But that II she worries,
]. Il be sorry that It ever happened Those
aere his words. Joan. You must be -
brave as he has been.~
The girl hurried from the room ana
made her way upstairs TO her bedroom.
She felt that she must be alone, that ahs
could not bear the scrutiny q even her
mothers eyes. She closed the door ma
locked 4 and nunE bsreelf On tie bsd.
crying aa though her heart HaaId hsssE.
laL heqr i4tef Hhen shs z,ozn