Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1922-04-13
THE SECOND FIDDLE
In Which the Powerful Influence of Example Does
Much to Develop Independence.
BY ELEANOR PORTER

Author of Pollyanna," "Just David" Etc.

4 the stone walk below, Kate Denny
sprang to her feet. A delicate flush
came to her cheeks and new light
in her eyes. She listened, standing
mOtionlesS until the whir of the cleo
trio bell stirred her into life.
Hurredly she crossed the room to
her mirror, and patted with shaking
4 fingers the already smooth waves of
her pale yellow hair. From the lace
at her throat she tore the blue bow
hastily, substituting a pink one-only
to replace it almost at once with the
blue. Her gown at back and waist
and sleeves she touched tentatively
with her still shaking fingers; when
plainly nothing else could be done to
make perfection more perfect, she
turned and waited, her eXpectant eyes
on the closed door leading from her
chamber to the hall.
Two, three, five minutes passed.
The subdued confusion of an entrance
and the sound of voices had floated
up from the hall below, but all was
silent now. Three more minutes Kate
Denny waited. Surprise, doubt, and
frightened questioning came in turn
to her eyes; then resolution, as she
softly crossed the room and opened
the door.
A light laugh fioated up the stair
way, and a deeper note answered.
The girl drew back, half closing the
door.
Then 1t was true. He had come,
and she had not been summoned to 20
down. Edith was there, however
that light laugh had been hers. 4.
So it was to be the old story over
again. If Edith wanted it, she must
have 1t, whether 1t We're a jam tart
or the exclusive attention of an eve
ming caller.
Always it had been like that; and
always she, Kate, had taken the sub
ordinate place, together with the
smaller tart.
Resolutely Kate Denny opened the
door wider and took one step into the
hall.
Well why not? That was John
Kennison down there. He had come
to see her.
IlresOlutely the girl still stood de-
Batting the matter, when the tWang of
violin string came from the room
below and seemed to end all hesita.
ton. With swift steps and heightened
color, Kate Denny tripped down the
stairs and entered the brightly lighted
living-room. John Kennison rose al
once, an almost boyish eagerness il
his glance. Edith Denny turned
slowly. Her eyes carried barely
perceptible annoyance.
Oh, here's Kate" she said. you're
just in time, Kate, to turn the music
John Kennison! played first violin iT
a large city orchestra. He stood now
close to the piano, his instrument in
his hand, and his eyes longingly fixed
on Kate Denny.
'Its q concerto. I was going to Try
it bit" he began eagerly. You
know, l brought the piano score last
week. You said you'd"
yes, it's right here, Mr.. Kennison,
interrupted Edith brightly. "Ant
we'd love to play it with you. Come
Kate"
For one brief instant Kate almost
rebeled. John KennsOn had asked
her to practice that score. and She
had practiced it for hours at time
until it was at her finger tips yet She
was expected to stand patiently b!
and turn the leaves for Edith.
Put. Edith" hesitated Kate. "don'
you think it would be better if l.
"Nonsense Of course you can turl
the music, Kate" laughed her sister
airlly. Don't be so timid. Come
1t was not u success-the playing o
that concerto From start to finish i
was an agtated scramble on the par
of each player to find and keep stel
z with the other. At the conclusion
Edith laughed Historically, Kate bi
x her lips in open confusion, and JOIN
kennison reached for his handkerchie
to wipe the perspiration from his face
A moment later Edith suggeste
that they try popular love song t
which she knew the accompaniment
and with fervent Eyes, do, if yo
please" the man raised his violin t
position.
For half an hour then Kate sat /
q corner and listened to ragtime, an
to the brilliant sallies of her siste
Edith, who was entertaining John ker
nison K little later, cake was brougf
in-cake that Edith said she ha
made; and at the words Kate though
of the kitchen that morning wit
Edith, dainty in a fresh frock, stanC
ing at the shelf, stirring gingerly at
cOncoction not one ingredient of whic
had been put in without minute II
structions from the elder sister,
Fl After the cake had been eaten an
duly praised, there was more musi
NJ then John Kennison rose to go HON
H He said good-by and looked at KAT
M lovingly; but before she could answe
NJ Edith interpOsed merry question
and it was Edith who went with hi
to the door, and who asked him
come again.