Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1918-04-12
THEN AND NOW
BY INES MACDONALD.
- y NE-I l7A~NE
per Syndicate.1


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 ca-clessIy 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 a mistake.
''I'm sorry" he said. Il thought this
was Lauren's apartment"
SIT is" she smiled slightly, gather
ing herself. in hand. Il am Mrs. Lau-
reps."
Il didn't know there was a 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.
81 hate to presume" said the old
gentleman, 'and l hate to ask fayors,
Mr.. Laurens, but I've niece who has
studied abroad for three years. She
thinks she can sing. / do not know,
perhaps she can. She has heard Of
your new opera, and wants to.be given
a chance at a small singing part"
"Why," said Laurens. cordially, I'D
4, u 70. rrfx- ho,s
out. Bring her up tomorrow at three,
If it is convenient"
And so the next day at three they
came, and Laurens was astounded, for
1t was none other than the girl who
claimed to be Mrs. Laurens.
81 was sure you could sing" he in
terrupted. SIS there anything in par
ticuIar you would like to try?"
''The = opening song of = of -
sRiane,'" she said, hesitatingly.
Elbow did you know about that?' he
demanded. 'sNot more than three az
my best friends have heard it as YET"
She dropped down on the bench be-
side him. Ell stole the score from
your apartment. That isl copied as
much of it as could-and I've been
working-working like mad on it. You
We're 500 nice toto pretend that
you were not you, the other night. 1t
was very considerate."
In an instant she felt the strong
grasp Of sensitive hands on her own,
and she looked into his fine eyes and
marveled.
sBut you-you mustn't misunder-
stand" she went on. 1.-THE roses
and things were tribute to your gen.
ius, to the soul Of your music, not a
token to you as a man. Please UNI
derstand that" she finished gently.
"Of course" he said in an absent
detached way of his. And he turned
to the piano and burst forth into the
brilliant prelude of his opera. Then he
swung abruptly into the melodies OF
the first number-and she sang.
He controlled his voice with an eff
fort. ssKatz must hear you tomor-
row." he said. "He'll be crazy. Now
try thisl" And he broke into the
..Passion Song of the third act.
The flexibility of her voice was mar
yelous. 1t was so much part of her
that unconsciously she acted as she
sang. She couldn't help it. As she
began the second song. a stocky, griz-
zled little man stood just within the
door listening intently while she pour
ed out the pent-up love of all the ages.
"what do you think of her, Katzg
no ehuckled.
"You ask vat I fink of such voice
Iaurens, / go mad to find us 'Riane'
unit she is herel"
Six months later Laurens stood IN
the stars dressing room face TO face
with Riane.
"well," he said softly, "are You sat
isfied?"
s.Nor' she said, in spite of the flush
of victory on her cheeks. i find that
something besides success is necessary
to my happiness
"You are little carried away" he
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