Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1920-08-19
sy MILDRED WHITE,

Veleen jacket, the sort shirt with lto
collar opened at the throat whore he
held so caressingly his violin.
Gloria thrilled anew, at the thought
Of the dark eyes bent upon her, as he
swayed the bow. "a song of love to
you" he would say. while the low mu.
sic which followed filed her with
emotion.
"A vagabond," the villagers called
him. "a poor adventurer living by his
Wits"
Their ridicule and mockery stung
her cruelty. He was her wonderman,
whom rome save herself could under
stand. Some day, she meant to run
away with him. to be his wife when
he should ask her.. sharing willingly
his care-free life. She knew that trying
to influence Aunt Prudence or her own
father to her viewpoint, would be un-
availing.
How strange the girl thought
with sad little smile, that this reck.
less romance should end her sheltered
girlhood. No young man of the neigh
bOrhood. however promising, had been
allowed to call.
His daughter must make no unwise
Attachments" her father decreed.
Gloria happened to meet the stran-
ger one morning on the rustic bridge.
AT her glance Of surprise toward the
old violin which he carried, the man
motioned her silently, as one ac-
customed to be obeyed, to bench %
the bridge; she had sat therein q
sort of dream, while he played.
When she thanked the man primly for
his music, he had laughed carelessly,
and babe her "come again II she liked
It," And Gloria the prudent, the guard
ed-went again.
Almost against her will 1t seemed at
frst-the music lured and drew her.
Later, the visits became an accustomed
natural thing. And one day naturally
also. 1t seemed, this roaming musician
spoke Of his love for her and her
heart went out to him in return.
Many hours of unhappiness the girl
spent, her cheek pressed against her
wet pillow; so useless was 1t to strug.
gle against this charmed fate, "a
grievously would 1t hurt those nearest
to her.
The very townspeople Knocked at the
mans idle responsibility, making
shift for himself, in an old shack BY
the waters edge. Crude was his furni
ture. they said, and he must be poor
There were days together when hi
failed to come in his worn vslyeteeni
to the village for supplies.
IA little cracked" these same people
considered him, lying alone In the
marshes at night, making weir(
sounds on his violin, and this was the
man her successful father and conven
tional aunt, must hear of asher
husband.
"Mustl" Gloria whispered passion
ately. For life without this one mans
tenderness-would be to her unbear
able.
When she found him again at IN,
bridge, and was folded close In his
arms, Gloria sobbed out her story. Some
one had limited about their meetings
her father was sending her away-te
visit cousin in the city, hoping that
absence would obliterate her fancy FOL
him.
The "vagabond" comforted her with
gentle words and caressing touch.
"'I will come to you." he said q
last, land you shall marry me-"
So Gloria went away. She wondered
troubled, how her lover might send
word to her, and where he would ash
her to meet him. The cousin. of course
must not know.
1t was the suggestion of Aunt Pru
dence that some desirable man bl
found to take her niece about and by
way of comparison to bring her t.
sense. of former folly.
So with this new escort Gloria wal
sent to the theatre. 1t was to be al
evening of music, the young man told
her, with "notables' participating
Traynor, with his speaking violin, wa,
alone worth hearing, his imitation Of
bird calls being wonderful.
His companion was listless sort
of girl-the escort thought. WheI
Traynor came on the stage with hi
violin, his opinion quickly changed.
Breathless, her eyes shining. Gloris
leaned forward. At the end Of the per
Torrance, the obliging and perplexst
young man was abruptly dismissed
while no less person than the celeb
rity possessively took his place.
Out in the starlight Gloria faced
him.
"You lived like tramp out there
she accused. "and you never told m.
who you WERE"
Traynor laughed happily.
II was learning and relaxing" b,
said. "And-it was SO sweet to hAvl
you love me for myself"
| Copyright. 1919. by Western NsWspap9
ynion.)