Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-28

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The Morning Story
MUSIC AND THE DIAMOND.
ny Dorothy Douglas.

Sentcu 10 marry mn! anu HAN "''Vt''"
"A most exquisite solitaire TO complete
he engagement.
Robinson possessed wealth and So
cial standing. while Madcc owned
splendid voice. but scarcely the money
with which 20 have Il cultivated. She
only regretted her poverty because II
withheld certain branches of study
from her which IN the dark hours Of
the night, MadGo's soul lcDced for.
Never did she let the world know her
desires because the world might fling
either pity or scorE AZ her. and Madgc
was prouud-too pround 10 accept help
or condemnation.
When Robinson came into her life
MadEe not only found herself strongly
attra ctcd TO him, but She realized also
that his money would put her before
the hes; instructors the world afford
ed. She was not in amy way mer-
ccnary. but She was thankful that love
and the chance for advancement had
come hand IN hand. She could not be
really happy until she had won fame
for hers,it and She loved love the more
because ii offered her her opportunity
TO succeed more quickly than when
hampered by poverty.
She had been engaged TO Robinson
for two Joyous weeks a particular
trying day lay behind her and she
greeted her tiance with Il tired but
happy smile.
Il Will be glad when you have given
up all this nerve-r acking study" John
Robinson said. You are firing your
self out and ! wish YOU would marry
me straight of, SO that I could COM
mand YOU TO give UP your fever!sh de-
sire for music" He had spoken laugh
ingly, but Madge had felt rush OF
cold blood through her veins.
Il never intend to stop studying"
she said quickly. Nothing IN the
world would make me happy without
my music. / intend 10 be singer.
thought YOU knew that" she added and
gazed wonderingly nj him
II have always considered II n joke
Robinson told her. and would have
drawn her into his arms to dismiss the
subject. but Nadge cludcd him
If you mean that" she said with
firm voice. II may as we'll tell YOU /
Will never marry you"
Robinson grew shade white. IL
have no desire to have my wife sing
ing in public and perhaps being away
from me Just n. the time / want her
most You will have plenty 10 do en-
tertaining and managing for me. Come
don't he silly--l will do everything |
can to make YOU forget Your desire for
n career
mo one could do that" Madge said,
and shook her head slowly. 1T is too
deeply rcted in my life dreams. No."
she repeated, Il want my music more
than want you-under the conditions"
She drew the beautiful diamond from
her finger.
Robinson's eyes flashed. His quick
anger frightened Madge.
Don't give me back that baublc," he
said roughly. ITS no good to me, and
| would only toss il into the street"
He flung himself out of the room while
Madge watched him with a feeling akin
10 relief.
When no hid e,opa che foJ o. -.o,lo
ing why She was so little affected by
The smashing up OF her first love affair
With firmly set lips she put the ring
into her bureau drawer and shut the
romance from her life.
The following day she discovered
upon looking at her bank book that her
account was perilously near 10 totter-
ing. 1t was then that Madgo went bit
terry. she knew that the piano she had
rented for So monh must go Sha
could not afford it longer. That 50
would be needed for bread ana butter
When sh" had finished weeping she
was white and her eyes shone brilliant
~. She could not live without piano
Out Of the depths OF her misery came
tho realization of the ring lying in hcr
drawer. 1t was 4 perfectly uscles.
lewcl that meant nothing to her and
tho price of which would buy her n
splendid piano, y friend OF hers had
once sold a piece OF jcwclry for n set OF
furs and Madco Saw no reason why she
could not exchange a.r ring IN the
same way ~"
The advertisement she put in the
paper the next day was eagerly read ny
one Jimmy Canes. Jimmy was intend
ing TO propose TO Nelly Wake. but ala
not feel that even Nelly was worth
going into debt for. and she was tho
kind OF pirl who would prize an en-
Fagement ring Jimmy could not spend