The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1918-04-27
THEN AND NOW
BY INES MACDONALD.
per syndicate.)

It had happened. Once 1t was a glove.
once scarf, twice a handkerchief.
Seven times In all Laurens had re-
turned late to his apartment to dis
cover the air shaded with that indefi-
mite perfume-and some article Of
feminine apparel carelessly flung on
his table. And always, from the slim
vase on his mantel, there dropped a
fresh rose.
He, Eduard Laurens, was buried up
to his eyes In a mystery-a bewilder-
ing, opalescent, violet-scented mystery
that was sprinkled with rose leaves
and romance. He laughed softly as
he touched the knob of his door and
reached for his keys, when suddenly
the knob turned In his hand, the door
was drawn slowly open and he stood
face to face with strange young
woman.
For a moment he thought he had
made mistake.
I'm sorry" he said. II thought this
was Lauren's apartment"
ut is" she smiled slightly, gather
ing herself In hand. Il am Mrs. Lau-
rens."
II didn't know there was Mrs.
Laurens, but I've been out Of town for
some time. My name's-Barton," lied
Laurens.
In an hour he returned and she was
gone, but pinned to the curtain that
shut Off his music room was a note !:
II came once too often. Your
friend, Mr.. Barton, called and caught
me as was leaving. beg of you to
forgive me If any complications should
arise from the awful fib told him. 1t
was the wonderful melodies Of your
new opera that first drew me down
from the apartment above. / must
caution you to have the latch fixed on
the window on the fire escpe. Under
the circumstances I'm leaving the
apartment upstairs tonight. This, OF
course, Is good-by-and I'm sorry"
The next morning he was somewhat
surprised to open his uptown studio
door to an elderly man whom he re-
membered to have met at some time
or other, but could not place.
II hate to presume" said the old
gentleman, "and I hate to ask favors,
Mr.. Laurens, but I've a niece who has
studied abroad for three years. She
thinks she can sing. l do not know.
perhaps she can. She has heard OF
your new opera, and wants to.be given
a chance at small singing part"
"Why," said Laurens, cordially. I'D
be very glad to give her voice try
out. Bring her up tomorrow at three
If it Is convenient"
And so the next day at three they
came, and Laurens was astounded, fol
it was none other than the girl who
claimed to be Mrs. Laurens.
II was sure you could sing" he In
terrupted. as there anything In par
ticular you would like to tryT"
"The = opening song Of - Of -
'Riane,," she said, hesitatingly.
"How did you know about that?' hi
demanded. "Not more than three OF
my best friends have heard 1t as yet
| She dropped down on the bench be
side him. Ell stole the score from
your apartment. That isl copied al
much of 1t as could-and I've beer
working-working like mad on It,. Yot
were $3.50 nice toto pretend thai
you were not you, the other night. i
was very considerate."
In an instant she felt the stront
grasp of sensitive hands on her own
and she looked into his fine eyes ant
marveled.
"But you-you mustn't misunder
stand" she went on. "The roses
and things were tribute to your gen
| ius, to the soul Of your music, not
token to you as q man. Please un
derstand that" she finished gently.
"Of course" he said In an absen
detached way Of his. And he turned
to the piano and burst forth into thu
brilliant prelude Of his opera. Then h'
| swung abruptly into the melodies O
| the first number-and she sang.
He controlled his voice with an Ell
fort. "Katz must hear you tomor
row." he said. Hell be crazy. Nov
try this 70 And he broke into thu
"Passion Song" Of the third act.
The flexibility of her voice was mar
velous. 1t was so much part Of he
| that unconsciouyly she acted as sh'
sang. She couldn't help 1t. As sh'
began the second song. stocky, griz
zled little man stood Just within tn
door listening intently while she pour
ed out the pent-up love Of all the ages
"what do you think Of her, katzf
he chuckled.
"You ask vat tink Of such a voice
Laurens, 60 mad to find us 'Riane
unit she Is herel"
Six months later Laurens stood Il
the stars dressing room face to FAC
with Riane.
"well." he said softly. fare you sal
isfiedT
"Nor' she said, In spite Of the nus
Of victory on her cheeks. Il find tina
something besides success is necessar
to my happiness"
"You are a little carried away" b
said, soothingly. 'You are not quilt
yourself with all the excitement OF SUI
cess. Tomorrow. perhaps"
"No, nowi' she said tensely, ne
| 49, NVnxt aro nnOr