Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1920-12-31

Shanlo, and his suddenness left the
young couple GREATNESS.
'Shanlo, know why you are here.
Now, don't ask me! 1 cannot-wil]
not. consent to your marrying Alice
1t is settled now. Stay and make us
visit, but nothing more. I ask II
of you as guest in my house that
there be nothing more between you"
Alice, shivering with the shock,
saw the hidden lines of strength
emerge through the mildness Of her
lovers face. II will respect your
wishes, SIR" he answered quietly, his
words carrying far more than their
dictionary meaning
Without a word, her father rose
and went out.
In pain-filled silence, the two chat
ted, but the ache in the heart of each
broke through their lips at last.
1T is wrong-unreasonab DEAR"
she cried at last in fearful anger and
despair.
Sweetheart, know, but we must
hope and pray to change his mind
Now, we must part-good night"
She fingered, swaying. "Not even
-"
Not even good night kiss.
Sweet dreams"
Shanlo did not 60 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 went, too.
Her father, one of the gayest in
the old set, took a within 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 fash
Toned for him. In despair, with cou-
pies in place, Clyburn looked about
and saw Shanlo speaking to the lead.
er 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
suddenly the music changed into a
dreamy, tender, slow tune. Alice
saw her fathers gay, excited face
change; sober and then quicken; and
she saw him cross the hall and draw
onto the floor a gray-haired woman
an old sweetheart of his in q golden
long ago.
Other gray-headed couples swung
out, and others. And while the rest
of the young people looked on with
mingled amusement, wonder and ad-
miration, one girl watched with tears
in her eyes. Never had she seen her
father so rapturously happy-danc-
ing again an old dance Of his youth
with girl he had once loved.
The dance ended. He came up to
her, the harshness gone from his
face. In place Of it an almost boy
ish. enjoyment touched with a bit of
sadness. He nodded to the direction
of Shanlo. HE is some fiddler, little
girl; some fiddler"
Her heart beat quickened at the
words, and then caught its slower
rhythm. His mood was the mood of
q moment.
An. hour later, over the cigars,
Shanl0 saw the strong face, still
wearing the .sternness~ Of his race,
but kinder, turn to him. my boy,
was bit hard on you. Now, say,
give up your fiddling except now and
then. I'll give you place in the
business, pay you $40 week to start.
Stay here, and later on, why-we can
see about Alice"
Shanlo said quietly, II make four
thousand year now, and shall make
more.'
-Four thousand a year folding
what are you talking about7''
The viOlinist proved his statement
in a few words. Clyburn drew on his
cigar with heavy puffs and repeated
-Four thousand dollars fiddling and
more coming: Humph! No, guess
you do not want that job. suppose
you do want Alice. Well-you can
have her!"
He went to the hall and called her
She came wondering, but he said
nothing as he went by. She stood
looking at Shanlo.
Shanlo smiled and opened his
arms. "Now for that goodnight
kiss!' he said with a slight waver In
his otherwise steady voice; and with
a quick cry Of glad understanding she
came to him.