Evening star., 1922-04-23

a StradlSarluS! On, out coukOn |.
l am only tyro. and no one but mas
ter should play on q Strad. l couldn't
accept it. couldn't
You can and you WILL" he retortsd.
Otherwise, 1 swear III smash it into
bits and throw it on the ashheap for
the first garbage picker that comes
along"
At SO blashphemous a threat she threw
her arms defensively about the violin
and hugged it to her breast.
Don't. Don't say q thing like that.
will Keep it for you at least. I3i hold
It as trust: and you shall have II back
whenever you want It, although i don't
really know that would be justified In
returning it to any one who could utter
such An awful sacrilege."
81 would say worse things than that
to make you keep IT.
''Oh, Wallace" She laid the instru-
ment down and held out both her hands
to him; her eyes were swimming. but
there was a waverins, adorable smile on
her lips. "How sweet Of yeu to think
Of such a gift for me-
Dear Rose, il you only knew what II
means to me to add in any way to your
happiness" He broke of sharply, and
dropped her hands; he would be a cad
to take advantage Of her gratitude. OF
her emotional delight in his offering.
PLAY for me-" he said. II will sit there
in the dusk and listen and dream
For half an hour she played, tremn-
lously at frst. and then more surely.
And when he went home her soft costa
sizes over his gift were still singing in
his ears.
The next morning he was made hap
pier still by an early telephone cali from
her, asking him il he would come to her
aunts apartment at II O'Clock. There
would be others there. sha said. to pass
Judgment on her talent, and she wanted
his uncritical belief in her to give her
confidence.
The other guests. Achison and Erland.
were already on hand when he reached
the house. He could see that Rose was
nervous as she came forward to greet
him. and her hand, as he took it, was
icy cold.
Il am going to play for Herr Eriand,
she whispered to him. Think what it
means to me! And wasn't it wonderful
Of Nh. Achison to arrange it. He never
told mo untn last night. because ha
couldn't be certain of Erland; these
artists are SO eapricious. l vas simply
Ovofwhesned by the audiences Of it.
and dont believe could ever have
brought myself to say yes. If it had not
been for your violin. That gave me the
courage to try"
A Gibson greeted Wallace with
his usual suavity. hut Erland
vas barely civil Considering all
woman vioHnists as so many pests.
he plainly regarded the occasion as
an ordeal and acted like a sulky
child.
'Let us get on" he Srowled. im-
patiently. Let US get On"
Rose nodded to the accompanist to
begin. and picking up the violin,
lifted It to her chin.
Az she did so, Ramsey, watching
Erland, saw q remarkable change
come over the latter. Hts loungins
body became tense; he leaned for
ward. alert as dog that has just
struck a scent. He waited until
Rose drew her bow across the strings
In a long. opening note; then he
leaped to his feet.
stop" he ordered, harshly. "Gtve
me that viofin!s
He almost, snatched 1t from her.
"Mfnel" be cried. IT would know
it. anywhere. Look" He turned to
Achtson. They have not even taken
the trouble to remove the crest"
His pale eyes. under their heavy,
ye1lowish-gray eyebrows. were full
Of lightnings as he glared at Rose.
'TIow, MISS" he demanded. sternly
"did this come into your possession =
He repeated the question as shs
stared at him in stunned hewiiasr-
ment.
she swallowed hard oaee OF twics,
"1t-it was given to me- Her yoice
ives almest. iAau&ibae. She locked I'm
slh -