Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1914-01-06
KERNEL AND TIE HusK
By HERMAN AxHA

neVer nAo mao Q lover. Even In the
social dotngS Of the youngsters OF the
village she had sat aside and never
had blushed and siggled Wtoa Tom or
Jimmie or WI, nor shared their baxs
OF peanuts or aTLdAy suckers.
Wheu they played postcmcs nobody
ever called her out into the dark han
to be kissed. and none Of the boys eyer
dropped q pillow In front Of her. It
was not that Margaret was not pretty.
Tor b was, with a sort Of serious.
delicate beauty. Nor was It that abe
did not want to be admired and court
ed. for she did nor ardently than any
OF the girls.
1t was because Of q sort Of inherent
dignity, an involuntary reserve which
b really did not feel in her heart
but which she could not help express
Ing In her physical contact with 9th.
ers. And 30 she went through her
g1rihood-lonesome 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 q few weeks rest
from h war in the greet world of
which he was q part. He was q thor
ough man Of the world. a connoisseur.
a h~terateur, an artist.
The first time he heard Margaret
Burson touch the piano-she always
played at every entertainment or 80
cial gathering-he sought an intro
ductton and became e most devoted
knight The townsfolk looked on
W1de-eyed. To be sure, they were
aware that Margaret could play ON
the plano like q 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 ths
granddaughter Of Bill Burson," was
the reply. Mother was Martha Bur
son. Mother a away from home
with some musician feIlow-forget his
name. Old man Burson raised the lit.
tie girl and always called her Mar
garet Burson."
IL was the mark Of genius Philip
Breasted detected in Margaret's divine
touch on the piano which attracted him
to her. Nc sooner had he made her
acquaintance, however, than he waa
struck with the remarkable nature of
the girl-her beauty, her shrinking
sensibilides, her deep, ardent nature.
From being merely Interested, he
became enraptured and began to WOO
Fer a~ssiduously, and with all the se-
ductiVe grace Of the experienced man
OF the world.
Immediately a new wo-,x opened to
the girl. All the pent-up emotion and
imagination %repressed 80 long famed
forth n 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 had no idea Of marrying q sim,
pie country maiden and setting ND q
~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 b became famous and expert
enced. Then he would marry her ard
they would 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
stGErn OF passionate sobs.
i don't want to be rich or famous
or-or-anything," she said. "I 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 went On with
gentle insistence until he gained his
point.
II will do It because you want me
to. Philip" she sobbed. IT am afraid,
oh, 30 much afraid that It Is no the
way to happiness, but I love you. !
love you and I Wi1l do whatever o
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
to her with shining Dyes to congratu.
late her she gave him q cold hand and
q little tired smile.
I am glad you are pleased" she
said.
Triumph after triumph was hers
after this until her name was in every
mouth md 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 1t viii BIO tho sweeter for the
waiting and because we know It will
last. When shall 1t be7"
Dear Philip" she replied. calmly