Evening star., 1922-04-23
THE DISAPPEARING VIOLIN

latest devices for magicians and
sleight-of-hand performers; and
knowing that he was arranging the
program for this evening. 1 asked
h:n, e he was engaging a prestidigi-
tator or something Of the sort.
"He said no. that he often dropped
in there when he had a spare hour,
because he had started out in life
himself as juggler. and had never
lost his interest In that sort Of thing"
Ramsey nodded scquiescently; there
was little about Achison's career or
activities with which he was not con-
versant.
well. we walked along a block or
so together" she continued. He kept
laughing at my suggestion of
vaudeville attraction. in connection
with a great musician like Erland: I
hardly ever saw him in such high
good humor. Next thing you'lf be
proposing that I hire a troupe of
trained monkeys" he said.
Then suddenly and without any
prompting on my part. he turned to
me. BY the way he said, speaking
Of the affair fer Tuesday night, do
you think your friend Ramsey will
be offended at receiving an eleventh
hour invitation? had his name down
on my original list. and I only dis
covered this morning that by some
oversight the card had not been sent.
There she concluded triumphant
ly. you see how haseless your sus-
picions were"
Ramsey acknowledged his error
with proper humility-outwardl at
least.
The concer: began and progressed
brilliantly. A famous pianist played:
a great soprano from the Metropoli-
tan sang. and then Erland drew an
enchanted bow across his violin.
There were storms OF applause to
which the artist graciously responded.
and the insistent demands Of the
audience might have continued all
night if Achison had not gone for
ward lauShinsly and interfered. He
took Erland's violin from him. closed
it in it's case, which lay on the music
cabinet. and then brought the Nor
tic admirers.
Supper was served presently. and
while the guests were dessr.ing the
concert hall for the dining room
Ramsey loitered just outside the en-
trance. hoping for another opDortu-
nifty to speak with Rose. But when
she came out it was with Achison and
Erland at her side.
AS they passed-they were the last
to leave the hall-Achison was evil
IDENTIFY reassuring the violinist against
any apprehensions in leaving his in
strument behind.
You may feel perfectly secure.
Herr Erland. That man." indicating
tall fellow in evening clothes. has
orders not to quit the room. and he
will see that no one approaches near
enough to lay finger on it,
"Ah, you are most considerate." Err
land returned in excellent English.
My violins. especially that one. are
worth to me their weight in diamonds
and rubies. They are my interpre-
ters.''
They moved on into the dining room.
and Ramsey. watching. saw Rose
seated between Erland and -Achison.
Since he had no desire to see her
conspicuously away.
pAMSEY was no connoisseur OF
music. but he could not be in
sensible to the audible magic which
the great virtuoso had drawn that
evening from his violin.
All, if he could only secure a violin
like that for Rose. He could imagine
what such a possession would mean
to her with her musical soul. how it
would serve to incite and inspire her.
Through the death of an old aunt
Ramsey had recently come into a con-
siderable legacy. and his first impulse
on hearing Of it was to squander the
whole amount recklessiy on rare and
beautiful gifts for Rose. But con-
vsntion stood in the way.
Then came the idea Of a violin. A
violin Was something that convention
might easily overlook. AS gift 1t
might be regarded more as a tribute
to her musical genius than as some
thing conferred upon herself. There
was also the chance of her not dream
ing how much money he had spent
FOR it, and he could drop a discreet
word or two about picking it up for
song in case Achison chose to en-
Tighten her.
But IN spite of indefatigable search
ing. he had been unable even to get
within sight of Stradivarius, for
that was the sort of instrument he
had set his heart upon giveing her.
That is, he had failed to get within
sight Of one until tonight: and the
sight, or rather tho hearing of it. had
more than ever confirmed him In his
choice. He wondered If Erland could
possibly be tempted to part With
But no. that was out OF the question.
He must simply keep on with his
quest. refusing to be dashed by the
apparent hopelAssness of it. for it was
Characteristic Of Ramsey, in spite of
his easy. plant manner. that he never
let go of any purpose to which he had
set himself until it was accom-
plished.
The realization in this case was
far moro imminent than he could
possibly have imagined; for the very
next morning, while he was stin at
breakfast. there came ring At his
door. and he found standing at the
threshold q small, dingy man with
4 bulky package in his arms which