The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-02-20
FACTS AND FANCIES FOR WOMAN AND TIE HOME CIRCLE
. THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Al Tonsorial Genius.
nv GERALD ST. ETlENNE.)

Copyright, 1919. by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.
THERD II was again! Mildred up-
toed TO her door and opened 1t
> quietly. The soft strains OF the
violin descended from the room above
rich, soothing notes forming the
most beautiful music she had ever
heard. The violin was in the hands
81 4 genius-some undiscovered won.
ier-Niildred felt sure, and Mildred
Cushing, prima donna, was naturally
4 Judge Of music. With the last note
Mildred realized that she had left her
room and was standing before door
on the floor above.
The music had 80 entranced her she
had not been aware Of her own move
nents. In the hope that the musician
would NOT become aware Of her pres
ence, she backed from the door, mis-.
Judged tho stairway and with q cry
Of fright, followed quickly by one OF
pain, pitched to the landing below.
: Her ankle twisted under her, her head
banged against the wall and every
thing went black.
Fifteen minutes later she recovered
consciousness to find herself propped
up in chair In her own room and
strange man vas applying damp cloths
TO her head. It was the musician. she
could tell by the gentle touch OF his
hands. When her eyes opened he was
smiling down at her.
81 knew you would soon come
around" he said, in a rich even tone.
much In keeping with his appearance.
aYou are not bady hurt, are your
aust my ankle" she breathed,
painfully. 1t hurts terribly"
He had her slipper off. was bandag-
ing her ankle and apologizing for not
noticing the swelling. before she could
offer word of protest. AS his fingers
worked gently about the sore spot,
Mildred sat back and admired his
carefulness. He seemed to charm the
pain q trif1e.
ssrhe pain win keep me awake to-
night she fretted, as he prepared to
leave.
without a word he opened the door
OF her dumb waiter and then turned to
explain. "My room is just above. he
said. "The sound is sure to come down
here. / will play an air that guaran-
tee to put You asleep. Now are You
satisfied"
"That will be beautiful" she smiled
In spite Ct the pain. I do so like to
hear you play. / will tap on the wall
when ! q inready for the music to be-
GIN"
Fifteen minutes later she tapped on
the wall. He had been waiting for the,
signal; the music started at once.
Sweet and low, sweet and low,
II; Song Of the summer breeze.
y The violin In his hands seemed to
spell out the words. Mildred closed
her eyes mechanically. Sleep was not
30 easily won. The music took her
mind off the pain Of her ankle. though
but many other thoughts crowded into
her brain to keep her awake.
This new venture Of hers troubled
her. In two weeks she was to begin
work on her first motion production,
and she wondered If q triumph await
ed her there. She was going to make
It a triumph II 1t was at all possible.
She had begun work on It already.
An idea Of the part she was to play
In the first picture had been given
her and she was staying at the room.
tng house 10 get atmosphere. She had
found points to successfully create
types In opera by living as the char
acters had Lived. as nearly as possible.
So why wouldn't it work or4 in mo-
vies? she asked herself.
What Kind OF a leading man would
.sshe have to put up with? She wished
now he had been clause in her con-
tract. The thought Of being supported
by some film idol. who looked uoon
acting for It's commercial value only
troubled her.
She was almost convinced that this
was the kind she would have to en-.
dure. oh, fer tall. handsome man,
with ability and a real sense Of the
.artistic-a man like she felt this mu.
Stefan was The soothing notes of tho,
violin got IA their work gradually.
While my little one while my pretty
one, Sleeps, Mnoreo uozeo OIL 70
sleep.
"a Next morning, bright and early, the
musician called to see how the ankle
Jared. That call led to another and
so on, until by the time Mildred was
able to walk with a limp. they were
fast friends. AS their acquaintance
grew. Mildred found herself anal
ing his character.
There was q certain restraint about
him that sho could not understand, but
she wondered II somehow he had
messed who she really was. To set
him off the true scent she made fire.
qtent mentions Of returning back to
work and alluded to the SHOP"
more than once.
HIS musical ability, though. was the
{ most remarkable thing about him, next
y fn hfQ N0nd 1naka ~ nonnra III.