The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1916-01-28
The Waltz
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

Billy Kennard opened the door o.
his dreary little bedroom and held {
match to the gas jet before remoy
ing his hat The reflection thai
sprang into view in the mirror of the
bureau showed a face strong and
good-looking, but full of trouble
| drawn lines
Failure in ones life work-musit
| it was with Billy-is bad enough, bu1
to fall in love with girl as far above
you as the planets is just about the
| limit of human endurance. Tonight
| he had seen her again, more beauti
full than ever.
He looked at himself now in the
mirror. you poor penniless fool
he muttered, ito go crazy over a CIR
when it's all you can do to live. Who
are you to even think of her?''
But in spite of his words, he opened
an evening paper to the society col
umn. He watched daily for her name
or rather for her family's name, fo1
he did not know which of the Eth
eridge girls she was.
An item caught his eye and he read
it eagerly. The Etheridges were to be
at the Arlingfords' bal masque on
the next night! And he was to play
there after the theater!
He finally went to bed and dreamed
of columbines and shepherdesses
queens and flower girls, all with eyes
like those of the girl he loved, beg
ging him to play the Dream" waltz.
The next day was years long, and
the play that night dragged insult
ferably. At last he was free, how
ever, and, with the other members of
the orchestra, he put his violin IN it's
case and took the subway to the
Arlingfords.
He was accustomed to the extrava-
gance Of the rich, but the magnif-
cence Of the ballroom tonight fairly
took his breath. 81 must put all this
nonsense of mine out Of ny head"
he thought "a girl accustomed to
things like this is not for me even to
think about" And resolving to put
away forever the little waltz, the
music he had learned to associate
with the girl, he took his place among
the musicians on the stage.
Henry of Navarro danced with
Mother Goose, Napoleon with Dolly
Madison, and a Crusader with Miss
Muffet. Clowns and columbines, Turks
and fairies, soldiers and milkmaids
flew past in mad whirl, but all were
masked and Billy had no idea which
maid might be the girl he adored
In spite Of his newly-made resolu-
unmasking, hoping to catch a glimpse
of the girl, but she was not to be
SEEN.
A servant handed him an envelope
He read the inc1osed nc+e eagerly
Someone had asked him to meet her
in the winter garden Immediately.
Billy crushed the note into his
pocket, made his excuses, and, with
the aid of the servant, found the win
ter garden.
Under bay tree, looking as de-
mure as Quakeress, was the miss
ing Miss Etheridge. She smiled and
held out her hand
Good evening, Mr.. Kennard."
Billy was afraid to touch her hand,
and more afraid to speak. But it was
up to him to say something.
Il am-you are-that is-were you
the person who sent for me?" he be-
gan awkwardly, after he had taken
her hand for an instant. He knew be
was bungling dreadfully and REDEEMED.
Eyes. Won't you sit DOWN." She
smiled
Il sent for you," she went on, "tO
find out why you don't play that beau
tlful waltz you composed. l spoke to
Mr.. Richard Anderson, a friend of MIR.
Etheridge, about it. He is the music
publisher, you know, and he is here
tonight waiting to hear your music"
Billy gasped. you spoke to Rich
ard Anderson for me! Why, if he'd
take hold of my work it would make
my fortune. How in the world can
| thank you, Miss Etheridge?"
Don't" thank me! Besides I'm not
Miss Etheridge. I'm Marjorie Wat
son, at your service" with Jolly lit
tie bow. Poor relative and social Sec
rotary rolled into one, and treated
better than she deserves by every
one" she added.
Billy's head was swimming. Things
were happening too fast for him to
comprehend.
His goddess was not only stepping
down to earth smiling, but she was
holding out promises for the future.
1T is all too wonderful to be true.
Miss Watson. [ can scarcely believe
that | am awake. But I'll answer
your question about the waltz. 1 have
learned to associate it with you
and" he stopped.
"Well?" demurely.
II cannot tell you part without
telling ALL he went on quickly, and
l cannot do that-now. You have
known me only ten minutes and YOU
wouldn't understand, I'm afraid. r
thought you were Miss Etheridge," he
added.
Marjorie stood up and laid her hand