The Delta independent., 1914-02-20
ONE GIRLS VALUE
Saved Family Fortune by Simple
Process of Walking Up
Church Aisle.
BY MRS. GEN. GEORGE E. PICKETT.

listlessly. Most plays had lost inter-
est for her. There had been time
when she had fancied that the drama
of life never would pale in its charms.
That was long. long ago. She must
have been some one else living In
different world.
What the devils that?"
The carriage stopped with sudden
1olt. The footman opened the door.
Don't be alarmed. sir. It's only
drunk man ran out under the horses
feet and got knocked down.
Served him right" growled MI
Lester.
The light from q lamp fell full upon
the ghastly face OF the unknown as he
was lifted from the street. Mrs. Lester.
seeing 1t. sprang forward. Her hus-
band caught her arm.
Don't be silly. Myrta-"
She sank back against the cushions
and the carriage rolled on.
The black curtain that had fallen
upon the drama which 30 long ago had
ceased to be charming rolled back and
she saw again-no. not that face. but
a glorified face that seemed to have
died into this one.
1t was at the American minister's In
Paris that she saw II. The breath OF
the flowers swept down family through
the years and the Tilt OF the music
beat upon her heart
You have found a wonderful plan
ist" she said to the minister.
Am not l in luck?-an American.
too so doubly valuable"
The diplomat had represented his
country in many royal courts. but. un-
like his confreres. he had not lost his
fine old democracy. inherited through
long line OF ancestors who had
bowed neither to royal king nor bo-
nanza king. His young god OF music
did not appreciate in his estimation
because he wore on his chain a ruby
that a queen had given him. or be-
cause princesses had been proud to
learn OF him. or because an empress
had permitted him to dedicate
symphony to her and sent for him
when 1t was played in the court thea
ter and let him kiss her jewel hand.
The touch OF genius is TIE bright
est jewel in the worlds whole collec-
ton of gems" she said
Neither did the minister regard 1t
as lowering that his brilliant young
countryman should convert his musi-
cal notes into bank notes OF high
pitch. He held the democratic notion
that II a man did not have money he
should earn It. and there could not be
a more beautiful way.
The Nightingale will not let any
one else play her accomplishments"
Myrta experienced a sudden unac-
knowledged pang Of jenlously OF the
Nightingale.
81 will Introduce him and you shall
have one dance with him."
Please be careful how you intro
duce fascinating devotees of any of
the arts to her." said Mrs. Langton, in
impressive protest Il am her chap
eron. Do not involve my position In
greater responsibility than is neces-
sary."
Mrs. Langton was a cbaperon de-
lightful to the soul OF youth. Myrta's
father and mother had known her only
in America. II they had seen her in
Paris they might have selected a more
rigid duenna for their daughter when
she developed n longing to have her
event the young American pianist
would not have spent his mornings
playing accomplishments while she
sang. or performing his own wonder
full creations while she listened In a
beatifc trance and her chaperon sat
by in admiring delight
Once they went to hear the Night
ingale sing
"Oh. / envy you-I envy you'll" said
Myrta. clasping her hands In despair.
Il would give the world for voice
| like that"
Just then the eyes OF the accom-
panist were turned toward her and n
wondrous light that was not of music
leaped to his face.
"Oh, / pity you'll pity you!" she
thought. clasping her hands In rap
ture. Not all the gifts that all the
gods have bestowed upon all the
worlds of the universe are worth one
look like that"
"Myrta." said Mrs. Langton. next
day. II have a letter from your
father. He and your mother will be
here on the 18th and am to have you
ready to go back with them on the
next steamer He asks very particu-
larly II l have kept you at your music
and away from social acquaintances. |
am glad that my conscience is at rest
on that point. ! can assure him that
you have met only musical people who
help you along with your lessons. |
think he wants you to do something
important for him"
Il never did anything for papa but
upset his desk and lose his papers and
worry him for money. ] should think
| ha, Ind nnuihlnp n I'm taort nna 10,