The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-05-04

tWhys
Much happened In that week. For
a few mornings the first Violin came
always TO ask for suggestions, and
each time j named some fayorite Sc
lection OF my own, for Gwendoline
could never think Of a word to say.
Then Busoni himself came down be.
tween, the numbers. twas Idreadfully
conspicuous and every. one at Z once
knew why, for Gwendoline was SO II.
resistible. l never knew o girl who
appeared SO well In the glaring light
Of the morning sun at the seashore.
Then Busoni asked to call and I con-
scented. No. ! didn't forget Gwendo-
lines mothers injunctions. simply
decided that I could take matters in
my own hands. BusonI was no ordi.
nary admirer and clearly Gwendoline
did not want to have me refuse for
her. He called more than once and
then one evening we were driving. we
three. IL the twilight through the
grove o. pine trees Just northwest OF
the beach. OF course these things
were observed, for Busoni was more
or less Of an idol among the summer
people and watching the goings and
comings Of other people was a large
part Of every days occupations among
the guests at our hotel. Busoni never
seemed to become personal in his con-
yersation and Gwendoline, for her
part, assumed that strange childlike
reserve OF hers that seemed to me ir-
resistible. II i had been a man Iiwould
have loved her to distraction In that
mood.
Meanwhile several letters had come
from tho men at home. Then one
from Tom Lowther, who was to be
worth millions, saying he was coming
down foT the final answer that week
end, and the next mail brought one
from Gwendoline's mother, who had
heard Of Toms intentions, saying that
she was coming too. No doubt she
felt that was not adequate to the
situation. Perhaps she feared l would
be. too severe chaperon. For really
Mrs. Penfield was in great hopes OF
the success Of the Lowther affair.
Then lBusoni telephoned to the no.
tel. Gwendoline was mapping indo.
lently, propped up in her. chaise
Tongue near the window where she
could watch the breaking OF the waves
on the surf. So ! answered the call
on the room phone. II Gwendoline
felt any emotion when ] told her who
1t was she did not show It. Mr.. Bus
oni said he wished to call that even
ing. He had something important to
say. He must come. WhenI tried to
make excuses he would not listen. He
would come anyway.
OF course, I knew exactly what to
do as cheperon. Inview Of the coming
OF Gwendoline's mother the next day
and Of young Lowther, too, Gwendoline
ought not to have to face the decisions
Of proposal from Busoni. ! knew
that was his object. 1t would be
enough to accept him-forl how could
she do otherwise when she had dis.
posed Of the other sutton.
Gwendoline seemed to understand
me perfectly when told her my de.
cision. She laughed queer little
whimical laugh when told her that
I would see Busoni and make her apol.
ogies. and then she went of to bed.
She said she might not go to sleep,
but she would lie with her bed near
the window where she could hear the
ocean. And went down to Busoni.
And then Busoni told me. Can you
imagine what? Busoni the genius, the
recluse- Busoni whom every woman
at the beach would have adored-Bus.
oni there and then, in the little pri-
vate reception room Of our hotel, &C.
tually went down on his knees and
proposed to me-poor little middle
aged, blue.eyed me.
Gwendoline' did accept Tom Low.
ther and | suppose In her way she Is
happy. But l sometimes wonder-but
no! How absurd! 1t is only because
love him SO myself fancied every
other woman at the beach made an
idol of Busoni.