The herald., 1918-07-18
Then AND NOW
By INES MACDONALD.
(Copyright, 1915, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate)

II had happened. Once II was glove,
once q scarf, twice a handkerchief.
Seven times In all Laurens had re-
turned late to his apartment to dis
cover the air shaded with that indef-
mite perfume-and some article of
feminine apparel carelessly flung on
his table. And always, from the slim
vase on his mantel, there dropped q
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
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 a 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. II am Mrs. Lau-
rens."
Il didn't know there was a Mrs.
Laurens, but I've been out Of town for
some time. Ny 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. I beg Of you to
forgive me II any complications should
arise from the awful fib I told him. It
was the wonderful melodies Of your
new opera that first drew me down
from the apartment above. I 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 I hate to ask favors,
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
q chance at a small singing part"
"Why," said Laurens. cordially, I'D
be very glad to give her voice a try
out. Bring her up tomorrow at three,
II 1t Is convenient"
And so the next day at three they
came, and Laurens was astounded, for
It was none other than the girl who
claimed to be Mrs. Laurens.
Il was sure you could sing" he in
terrupted. "Is there anything in par
ticular you would like to- tryf'
'.The - opening song Of Of
'Riane,'" she said, hesitatingly.
"How did you know about thatT he
demanded. "Not more than three Of
my best friends have heard 1t as yet"
She dropped down on the bench be-
side him. IL stole the score from
your apartment. That isl copied as
much Of 1t as I could-and I've been
working-working like mad on It. You
were $3.50 nice to-to pretend that
you were not you. the other night 1t
was very considerable"
In an instant she felt the strong
grasp Of sensitive hands on her own.
and she looked into his fine eyes and
marveled.
But you-you mustn't misunder.
stand" she went on. THE roses
and things were a tribute to your gen.
ius. to the soul Of your music. not q
token to you as a man. Please un.
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 ef-
fort. ''Katz must hear you tomor-
row." he said. Hell be crazy. Now
try thisl" And he broke into the
passion Song" Of the third act.
The flexibility of her voice was mar.
velous. 1t was so much part Of her
that unconsciously she acted as she
sang. She couldn't help 1t. 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. KatzT
he chuckled.
"You ask vat tink Of such a voice
Laurens, I 60 mad to find US a .Riane'
unit she Is herel'
Six months later Laurens stood In
the stars dressing room face to face
with Riane.
SWELL" he said softly. "are you sat
isf1edf"
"Nol" she said, In spite Of the flush |
Of victory on her cheeks. II find that
something besides success Is necessary
to my happiness"
"You are a little carried away" he
said, soothingly. you are not quite
yourself with all the excitement of sue |
cess. Tomorrow, perhaps"
"No. nowI" she said tensely, hei
hands on his breast. "You are more
necessary to my happiness than even