Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1914-01-16
ONE GIRLS VALUE:
~E- Oas~ ~
Saved Family Fortune by Simple
Process of Walking Up
Church Aisle.

y.
"Beastly play" grumbled MIR. Les
ter, as he sat straight and stiff In MS
carriage on the homeward way.
Mrs. Lester assented, leaning pach
listlessly. Most plays had lost inter-
est for her. There had been a tlme
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
Jolt. 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 MT
Lester.
The light from lamp fell full upon
the CHASTITY face of the unknown as ne
was lifted from the street. Mrs. Lester
seeing it, sprang forward. Her nus
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 so long ago had
ceased to be charming rolled back and
she saw again-no, not that face, put
a glorified face that seemed to have
died into this one.
It was at the American minister's In
Paris that she saw it. 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 pian-
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
a long line of ancestors who mao
bowed neither to royal king nor boz
nanza king. His young god of music
did not appreciate in his estimation
because he wore on his chain 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.
1.-The touch of genius is the 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 a high
pitch. He held the democratic notion
that If man did not have money ne
should earn it, and there could not be
more beautiful way.
1.-THE Nightingale will not let any
one else play her accomplishments
Myrta experienced a sudden unac-
knowledged pang of jealousy 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. II am her chap
eron. Do not involve my position In
greater responsibility than Is neces
sary."
Mrs. Langton was chaperon de-
lghtful 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 more
rigid duenna for their daughter when
she developed a longing to have her
voice trained by Marchesi. In that
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
beatific trance and her chaperon sat
by in admiring delight.
Once they went to hear the Night
ingale sing.
"Oh, l envy you'll 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-
PIANIST we're turned toward her and
wondrous light that was not of music
leaped to his face.
"Oh, l pity you'll pity you!" she
thought, clasping her hands in rap
ture. mot 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. IT have letter from your
father. He and your mother will be
here on the 18th and I am to have you
ready to go back with them on the
next steamer. He asks very particu-
larly If l have kept you at your music
and away from social acquaintances. l
am glad that my conscience is at rest
on that point. I 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
If he had anything of Importance to
be done he would go after somebody
else"
Oh, that last, last night, when the
notes of the farewell rang heart break
-.