Smyrna times., 1918-05-15


II mad happened. Once it was 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 indef~ |
mite perfume-and some article of |
feminine apparel carelessly flung on |
MS table. And always, from the slim |
vase on his mantel, there dropped a
fresh rose.
lie, Eduard Laurens, was buried up
to his eyes in 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 a strange young
woman.
For a moment he thought he had
made q mistake.
I'm sorry" he said. ''I 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. 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:
Il 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 l hate to ask favOrs,
lIr. Laurens, but I've niece who has
studied abroad for three years. She
thinks she can sing. 1 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
be very glad to give her voice a 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, 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 try?
''The - opening song of - of -
'Riane,'" she said, hesitatingly.
"HOw did you know about that?" he
demanded. "NOt more than three OF
my best friends have heard it as yet
She dropped down on the bench be
side him. IL stole the score from
your apartment. That isl copied a;
much Of it as I cOuld-and I've beer
working-working like mad on it. YOl
were $3.50 nice TOTO pretend tina
you were not you, the other night. i
was very cOnsiderate."
In an instant she felt the stron
grasp of sensitive hands on her OWL
and she looked into his fine eyes an
marveled.
But you-you mustn't misundel
stand" she went on. 1.-THE roses
and things were tribute to your ger
ius, to the soul Of your music, not
token to you as a man. Please VI
derstand that" she finished gently.
"Of course" he said in an abseI
detached way of his. And he turne
to the piano and burst forth into tn
brilliant prelude of his opera. Then /
swung abruptly into the melodies
the first number-and she sang.
He controlled his voice with an e
fort. "Katz must hear you tomO
row" he said. Hell be crazy. No
try this!' And he broke into Il
"Passion Song" of the third act.
The fiexibilIty of her voice was ma
velous. 1t was so much part OF n
that unconsciously she acted as 81
sang. She couldn't help it. AS s.
began the second song, stOcky, gr
zled little man stood just within t
door listening intently while she POI
ed out the pent-up love of all the ag'
"What do you think of her. Katz
he chuckled.
"You ask vat l tink of such voic
Laurens, go mad to find us 'Rial
unit she is here"
Six months later Laurens stood
the stars dressing room face to Il
with Riane.
"Well," he said softly, "are you
isfied?"
mop she said, in spite OF the fl
of victory on her cheeks. Il find Il
something besides success is necess'
to my happiness"
ssYou are a little carried away,