Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1914-01-02
KERNEL AND THE HUSk
BY HERMAN LAYER.


In all her lonesome life Margaret
never had had a lover. Even in the
social doings OF the youngsters Of the
village she had sat aside and never
had bfushed and giggled with Tom or
Jimmie or Will, nor shared their bags
of peanuts or all-day suckers.
When they played postoflce nobody
ever called her out Into the dark hall
to be kissed, and lone of the boys ever
dropped n pillow in front of her. It
was not that Margaret was not pretty,
for she was, with a sort of serious,
delicate beauty. Nor was it that she
did o 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 h could not help express
ing in her physical contact with 9TH
ers. And so she went through her
acknowledgements 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 a part. He was a thor
ough man Of the world, a connoisseur,
a Hterateur, an artist.
The first time he heard Margaret
Burson touch the piano-she always
played at every entertainment or So
cial gathering-he sought an intro
duction and became q most devoted
knight. The townsfolk looked on
Wfde-eyed. 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 felIow-forget his
name. Old nan Burson raised the lit
tie girl and always called her Mar.
garet Burson."
1t was the mark of genius Philip
Breasted detected in Margaret's divine
touch on h piano which attracted him
to her. No sooner had he made her
acquaintance. however. than he was
struck with the remarkable nature of
the girl-her beauty, her shrinking
senslbilities, her deep, ardent nature.
From being merely interested, he
became enraptured and began to woo
her assiduously, and with all the So
ductive grace CT the experienced man
of the world.
Immediately a new world opened to
the girl. AL the pent-up emotion and
imagination repressed so long famed
forth and Powered. 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 4 no idea of marrying q sim,
pie country maiden and setting up a
!doVe-cote In the city, which he knew
we'll 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
the Uoul 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
O. storm OF passionate sobs.
L don't want to be rich OF famous
or-or-anything," she said. 81 only
want to be happy and to love you"
1t 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 vent on with
gentle in~sistence until he gained his
point.
Il Will do it because you want me
to, Philip she sobbed. II am afraid,
Oh, so much AFRAID that it is not the
way to happi'le5s, but 1 love you, ]
love you and I @ill 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 q star pianist
and startled the musical world with
her performance. When Breasted came
10 her with shining eyes to congratu.
late her she CAV him a 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 we're
heaped upon her.
Then Philip Breasted came to claim
his own.
Now, Margaret" he said, I'VE can
have the happiness we have ,vajtsd