The Press., 1921-03-24

Marr listened with grave. mild eyes
 to her as she told him the situation
 of her own fears.
 Then hq asked the dreaded ques-
 fion: ''Nyill you go with me if he refuses nle?'
 She looked at him with frightened eyes. ''He is too dear. too good to me and too old"
 Shanlo leaned over with his ten der shadowy eyes upon hers My dear, I. of course, would not ask it. I must win him over."
 Easily said, but how was 1t to be done? That evening Clyburn came in, gaunt. powerful, and found himself facing a slight. dark-eyed youth. The old man tried hard to cover his scorn, but it was evident; and all through the dinner hour, Alice felt the air filled with the tenseness of natures at odds. Her own cheeks reflected the nervous tension upon her.
 After the dinner, Clyburn leaned back and almost glared at the pleas ant youth before him. ''I have a billiard table Tupstairs-play? he asked almost as if ready for the answer, "NO.' .....
 Shanlo nodded with 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 25 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 q player. Then she hoped her father would go. leaving her for d happy hour with Marr and his tender wOOing. Her father sat down instead and his face grew stern. He turned to ShanlO, and his suddenness left the young couple breathleSs
 'ShanlO, l know why you are here. Now, don't ask me! cannOt-will not, consent to your marrying Alice: It is settled now. Stay and make us visit, but nothing more. ask it of you as a 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. "I 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.
 Tt is wrOng-unreasOnabl 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-g0Od night"
 She fingered, swaying. Not even
 Not even a good night kiss. Sweet dreams" --
 ShanlO did not go the next day, be cause she could not bear to have him. Instead, he went to dance given at the country club pavilion. Her father 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 we'll 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 CT who handed the violinist "fiddle." and sharp strains broke on the silence With yelp of joy at the first notes, Ciyburn caught his partner and the dance was on.
 The dance was about to end. Then the music changed into 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 gray-haired woman -an old sweetheart of his in a golden long ago.
 t Other gray-headed couples swung put, and others And while the rest of the young people looked on with mingled amusement. wonder and ad- 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 sh enjoyment touched with a bit of sadness. He nodded to the direction 'f Shanlo- He is. some fiddler, little girl; some fiddler"
 Her heart beat quickened at the words, and then caught it's slower 'hythm. His mood was the mood Of l moment. ,<->>:
 An hour later. oyer the cigars ShanlO saw the strong face, still wearing the sternness of his race : 1ut kinder, turn to him. My boy, ; vas a bit hard on you. Now, say, 1 give up your fidding except now and l hen. I'll give you place in the i business, pay you $40 week to start. Stay here, and later on, why-we can zee about Alice"
 Shanlo said quietly, q make four 1 hOusand year now, and shall make nore."
 -Four thousand a year fiddling- what are you talking about? ?"
 The viOlinist proved his statement n few words. Clyburn drew on his igar with heavy puffs and repeated, Four thousand dollars fiddIing and nOre coming. Humph! No, guess 'ou do not want that job. suppose 'Ou do want Alice. Well-yOu can ave her!" ,--ss: | He went to the hall and called her. [ 'he came wondering, but he said othing as he went by. She stood ooking at .ShanlO. Shanlo smiled and opened his rms. Now for that goodnight iss P he said with slight waver in is otherwise steady voice; and with OY7ioly o1.v of crl01 nn1orctond;nr Sho X