The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1915-07-01

MOONLIGHT MADNESS :
BY MOLLY McMASTER. 1

| with his cronleS. 1t was HapgOod or
the Musical Review, who had told
him about the camp in the Adron-
| dacks that would simply breathe into
his listening ear all the melodies and
| shy wh.spcrings that any music lover
| needed
| 1t took Colgate less than a week to
make all preparation and locate him.
self among the songs of the noun
tain's glory. He moved about as
| man in a dream. He was fearful lest
he awake and find himself lying in
his fiat with the noise Of piano
player humping the ceiling above
him.
He was more than startled on
moonlit night to open his eyes slowly
after a short siesta among the odor-
Gus balsam needles and see a slim,
daintily clad girl standing gazing down
at him.
You have had quite long sleep"
she said softly. Colgate could not re-
member having heard a voice so Won
derful
"Who are you and where did you
come from?" he questioned, rising
quickly TO his feet. Though convinced
that he was dreaming still Colgate felt
a strong desire to test the power of
speech.
IF you ask questions | will never
come again" was the answer he was
given so long as your curiosity re-
mains a negative quality | will visit
the balsam grove every moonlit eve
ming for half an hour
Give me your hand" demanded
Colgate breathlessly.
Isn't this rather sudden?" ques-
toned the girl with soft laugh.
Il only want to make sure that you
are human" he told her.
'Humph!' murmured the girl, and
slipped her fingers into his. He held
them.
DON'T" the girl cried with a star
tied gasp. Upon her immediate re-
lease she turned her emotion to laugh
ter. Am / humane" she questioned
Very, very human" Colgate said,
and his breath came rather heavily
And | will tell you right now that if
you intend visiting this grove every
moonlit night | will have to be more
than human if"
Mocking laughter rippled from the
girls lips.
I'm that case you would be as mad
as the hero of song | know. Shall
| sing it to your
Colgate did not answer before she
had burst into the opening phrase of
his own ballad, Moonlight Madness
"The hero in the song was tempted
to kiss the girls lips because they
were so softly red in~the moonlight"
remarked Colgate q am tempted,
also, but | am not going to fall"
That is very nice of you" The
hooking laugh again fell from her
lips, and she drew so near to Colgate
that her rhythmic breathing seemed
also to be his own.
Il wouldn't tempt him too far if
were YOU" he said, and smiled down
at the girls upturned face. You are
very, very lovely" he added. IF you
laugh again as you laughed just now
l think before retiring l could COM
pose a ballad called 'Mocking Laugh
ter"
The girl heayed a sigh. There was
broken melody in her voice.
Il try to make you live up to a
hero of song, and all you do is
think of more songs" She turned
away from him. Il am going now
and you are not to follow"
1t was five o'clock in the morning
when Colgate threw himself down
on his bed, exhausted mentally and
physically. The song was finished.
Slim wedges of moonbeams were
filtering down through the balsam
trees when Colgate waited impa-
tiently for the girl to come.
You have inspired me to write a
very wonderful song" he told her
and there was no conceit in his
words 1T will resuscitate my waver-
ing reputation"
"Ohl Can l have It first! Please,
please let me sing it before anyone
else!" In her enthusiasm she had put
slim hand on Coigate's arm. !
have sung all your songs successfully,
| do want to have the new one first
q can't talk nationally while your
hand touches me-" he said quietly. IF
you continue to trespass on my coat
sleeve you viii have to suffer the con-
sequences"
"And what are the consequences?
She asked and withdrew her hand
q viii tell you before we go back
TO the city" Colgate answered, and
wondered If ever man in the whole
Of tho world had fallen so suddenly
and so wonderfully in love as he had
rs there a chance that you know
Hapgood, Of the Musical Review
he asked her.
The girl laughed HE Is my broth
err" she said, and he told me to see
that you did not lack inspiration whlle
up here In the mountains. | come
here always after the concert season.
[ do love tt" Her voice broke
whom she saw the expression in Cot
Gates eyes and she would have fed
save that his arms caught her swiftly
and held her.
Colgate drew a sharp breath, then:
q am not going to lack inspiration
or love-or any wonderful emotion
ne said against her lips. and you are