The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-08
.Eoening Story
Fiddle-Dee-Dee.


home. for before she found the cour-
age to speak to her father, he came
into the library. where she was read
lie. His heavy face was set in DE-
termined lines.
What is this your aunt writes about
your falling in love with some fiddler
in the city while you were visiting
there?" Mr.. Clyburn demanded.
The rose color in her cheeks deep
ened. and she smiled family. It was
just like him. Born of a race of men
who had earned their bread in hard
ways and looked upon art and music
as the play interests of children, he
was just the type of man to be wor-
ried by the thought that his only
daughter was to marry a man inter-
ested in such things. The great gran
lite cutting works he owned were like
him-immovable, firm, unbending.
Yet there was a serious side to it.
She had learned to love MARI Shanlo
hearts first choice.
II was interested-am interested,
father. in a violinist," she began.
"Violinist or fiddler-what's the
snort.
His name is MARI Shanlo," she
added. ignoring his question.
"A heather name in the bargaini
Mari Shanlo-sounds like real
American name. doesn't it? Now.
Alice, I want you to stop this affair
before he goes too far" he said GRIM
ly but with a touch of tenderness in
his voice.
Il have asked him to come here for
a visit" she said hesitatingly. Il was
going to ask you tonight"
His mingled wrath and astonish-
ment kept him silent for a moment.
Then he exploded. We'll, let him
come. But he is to make his visit
brief" he said rising And I want to
Lea 10 1f n iV11 7 ~ U OQr
His broad back disappeared in the
smoking room.
She sat silent, a sudden chill in her
heart. Mari was coming for one pur-
pose-to ask her father for her hand.
The welcome he would get was evil
dent. Storm clouds were gathering
that might wreck her happiness and
his.
Shanlo came the next day. his
precious violin under his arm, while
Mr.. CIyburn was at the office. In the
quiet friendliness of the big library
Mari listened with grave, mild eyes to
her as she told him the situation-of
her own fears.
Then he asked the dreaded ques-
ton: will you go with me if he re-
fuses me?"
She looked at him with frightened
eyes. He is too dear, too good to
me, and too old.
shadowy eyes upon hers: My dear, 1,
of course, would not ask it. 1 must
win him over"
Easily said, but how was it to be
done? That evening Clyburn came
in. gaunt, powerful. and found him
self facing a slight. dark-eyed youth.
The old man tried hard to cover his
scorn, but it was evident; and all thru
the dinner hour, Alice felt the air
filled with the tenseness of natures
odds. Her own cheeks reflected the
nervous tension upon her.
After the dinner. Clyburn leaned
back and almost stared at the pleasant
youth before him. 'T have a billiard
table upstairs-play? he asked. al
most as if ready for the answer, mo"
Shaplo nodded with a smile. and
the two men went upstairs.
Alice busted herself with household
interests and her sewing until they
returned, a glow of victory on her
fathers face.
"A good game-a good game. I
was twenty-five points behind him
caught him and beat him."
Alice caught twinkle in the deep
brown eyes of her lover and turned
to congratulate her father, who. she
knew, was proud of his ability as
player Then she hoped her father
would go, leaving her for happy
hour with MARI and his tender WOO
ing.
Her father sat down instead and
his face grew stern. He turned to
Shanlo, and his suddenness left the
young couple breathless.
"Shanlo, 1 know why you are here
Now, don't ask mel 1 cannot-will
not. consent to your marrying Alice.
1t is settled now. Stay and make us
visit, but nothing more. I ask it of
you as a guest in my home that there
| be nothing between you"
Alice. snivering with the shock, saw
1.-The hidden lines of strength emerge
thru the mildness of her lovers face.
Il will respect your wishes. sir" he
answered quietly, his words carrying
far more than their dictionary mean
| ing.
without a word, her father rose and
went out.
In pain-filled silence, the two
chatted, but the, ache in the heart of
each broke thru their lips at last.
1T is wrong-unreasonab dear
she cried at last in fearful anger and
despair.
Sweetheart, I know, but we must
hope and pray to change his mind.
Now. we must part-good night"
She fingered, swaying. Not even
Not even a goodnight kiss. Sweet
dreams"
Shanlo did not go the next day, be-
cause she could not bear to have him.
Instead, he went to a dance given at
the country club pavilion. Her father
1 went, too.
| Her father, one of the gayest in the
OLD set, took a whim to have the Old
people dance one of the old dances, by
name the Nancy Lee" All went well
except the orchestra leader; he was
! stuck for a tune-too old-fashioned
for him In despair. with couples in
place. Clyburn looked about and saw
Shanlo speaking to the leader, who
handed the violinist a fiddle" and
sharp strains broke on the silence
With yelp of joy at the first notes
! Clyburn caught his partner, and the
dance was on.
| The dance was about to end Then