Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1919-11-11

new, WHS tnlS boh6 Ok bympStnH -
tween them.
Dallas, quite excited, met them at
the foot Of the stairs. I've been
searching for you everywhsre" And
giving Mr.. Smith the shortest Of mods,
drew Elsette away. "You know !
want to introduce you to Elbert
Smith,"
"But, Dallas, I've been with Mr..
Smith all evening"
fYou goosel That young scamp was
George Smith, Mrs. Loves neighbor.
I mean Elbert Smith, the pianistl"
And before Elsette could recover
her breath she was being presented to
the right Mr.. Smith. whose reserved
dignity and patronizing graciousness
was somewhat chilling, coming, as she
did, direct from the sunshine Of ardent
admiration.
"Mrs. Love has spoken to me about
you, Miss Dwight" Mr.. Smith was
saying calmly. II understand you
play q little. No doubt you Will be
interested in my performance later In
the evening. OF course I cannot give
you the concerto 1 played last week in
Cleveland. I had wonderful pro-
gram. L" And he launched into a
detailed account of his selections and
concert tour.
Just before noon the next day Ell
sette sat in Dallas sunparlor holding
In her lap two boxes of flowers. In
the one pale lilies and card--Elbert
Smith scribbled underneath. Il hope
I may play for you very soon again"
In the other box one Of those darling
old-fashioned nosegays, and on the
accompanying pasteboard George
Smith, Jr. "If come over this after
noon would you play for me, pleaseT
"Elsette!" Dallas sparkling voice.
"You lucky girl! Everybody spoke OF
It last night-what hit you made
with Elbert Smith! The girls are
jealous, Elsette! Do you know I'm
going to give a dinner for you, dear,
and, of course. Mr.. Smith, will be the
other guest Ct honor!"
Elsette gazed dreamily at the lilies
and, as though hidden in them were
little mirrors of the future, she saw
series of pictures. She was the wlfe
of Elbert Smith, the celebrity. At
the concert, his concert, she sat In a
box with his friends and listened to
their praises Of her husband. After
the performance she lowered little
In the background while the throng
Caid homage to the lion Of the day.
At the supper that followed she
heard it all over again-the chorus
Of praise.
And when they reached home her
husband spoke of his success Of the
evening. In the morning he read
aloud the criticism and discussed 1t
throughout his breakfast.
Then he retired TO practice and she,
his wife, must caution the servants
TO be noiseless and then run to amuse
the baby so 1t would not cry, because
father, the great pianist, must pre-
pare for his next concert. Callers
came and the chief topic was her hus-
bands delightful recital. In the eve
ming dinner guests listened in soft
ecstasy to his playing. Everybody
had forgotten that she ever played
the piano; anyway, WHO would posi-,
bly, attempt to play after Elbert
Smith?
Then in the old-fashioned nosegay
was another picture. She was mar
ried to George Smith, Jr. 1t seemed
there was a benefit concert IN the
town hall for an orphanage or some
thing, and she, ElSette, was to play q
solo, some other home talent made up
the other part Of the evenings pro-
gram. All a-futter, feeling delight
fully important she left the house
George carrying the music roll.
She stepped out on the stage lit
tie later, rosy with suppressed JOY
All the town people were there. Dal'
las and her husband. Mrs. Love, and
George, with adorlng eyes. In the
front row. Afterward they gathered
around her and she slipped In their In
toxicating words of commendation
And the next morning at breakfast
George told her again how he had en-
1oyed her music and that tonight after
dinner he wanted to hear that encore
piece again, all for himself!
"Elsette, wake up! Shall l invite
q few people In tonight informally
you know? And of course I'll try to
get Mr.. Elbert Smith to come. You
will be pleased, won't you. ElsetteT
teasingly.
"Yes, do invite Mr.. Ebert Smith
Dallas, but please don't forget George
Smith, Jr., because you might as well
know it, the wrong Mr.. Smith Is going
to be the right man for me"