The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-10-05
HER EXILE
BY JANE JORDAN

20, 1928. Western Newspaper Unton.)
CHE came among them In strang'
~ reticence; tactfully aimed ques
tons met with no success. There was
a kind of haughtiness about the new
resident which forbade intimacy
Later 1t was the exacting townsfolk
who encouraged the coldness. Mrs
Gay was not desirable, they decided
True, her frocks in their mOdish goo6
taste were superior, and the bungalow
she had taken the finest in town.
There was craning of necks on Sun
I day when the remote neighbor attend
ed service at the beautiful stone
church, whose ancient date was regis.
tered on the dOorpost. The organ was
the pride Of all. 1t was the gift of @
low great musician who had come from
Plainsville in his boyhood.
Rupert Rolf had repeatedly prom
lsed to return to his old home town ia
give an exhibition of his skill. The
promise had been unrealized.
One day printed placards announced
that the musician was to arrive that
week in Plainsville; the following
Sabbath he would play upon the gift
organ in the beautiful church.
The placard In the store window
seemed to scream at her with its red
letters-Rupert Rolf! Rupert Rolf
And next Sabbath he was to play at
the church she attended. Well, might
she not still attend?
"Good-by," said the little girl; "my
mamma would not want me to stop.
Oh, Mrs. Gay, your eyes are wet"
Mrs. Gay laughed shakily. why, SO
they are" she said
She wore a dark dress the day OF
Rupert Rolls church recital. She went
early to take her seat in the gallery,
and sat palpitating throughout the
preliminary opening Of the service.
The minister explained that he was
waiting, with little hope, the appear
ance of Rupert Rolf. The musician
had not arrived in the town as ex-
pected, detained by engagements, but
ne had sent letter, assuring his pres
ence If possible, at the morning serv-
ice.
The allotted time of waiting passed.
The minister looked, smiling, over his
people. "Our usual organist is out of
town." he said. II wonder If some
one will not volunteer to play for us
this morning? Please" he begged
and paused. There was no response
again the request was given.
This is an unusual circumstance"
the minister explained. troubled. "Will
not some one kindly help in this man.
ner?
Again no response.
Some one arose in the gallery-sig-
nified her willingness.
The audience could not see the vol
unteer organist who went swiftly to
take her place before the keys. They
saw a dark-clothed back, an envelop.
ing small hat
The music poured forth. 1t was an
offertory. This was musician indeed
who played for them; unframed ears
recognized the sympathetic skill, the
beautiful rendering of a great compo-
sition.
She stood a moment, finding her
way-the volunteer organist was the
disapproved Mrs. Gay. Her face shone
white and sweet beneath the dropping
brim of the prim black hat-then she
was seated beyond their sight. The
minister came down the pulpit stair
hurriedly afterward that he might not
miss her, to extend his thanks. Many
fingered, looking back curiously. A
man arose in the rear of the building
"a acknowledgements blonde
man. He, too, pressed hurriedly for
ward until he stood with the minister,
and the one who had come to his as
sistance. But the mans hand went
out first to the woman-"Gay," he
murmured chokily; "Gay!"
The little woman smiled; a smile
which set her blue eyes all at once
ashine. Rupert" she answered him;
the minister waited. Suddenly his
hand went out to the man. Rupert
Rolf" cried Reverend Roberts. Here
and did not gee YOU"
Il arrived very late" the musician
replied. "My substitute was already
at her post filling acceptably my
place." He whirled about. "Mr. Rob-
erts." said Rupert Rolf, "let me pre-
sent to you-my wife"
The minister Observation-Disclosures. Cay"
"Gay," said the musician, sis my
wife's given name. To you / may as
well now explain. My wife and l were
rival musicians. We met abroad, upon
musical tour. After our marriage
we travelled together giving recitals.
had lived but for my music before /
met her. You know, my life was so
ordered. And-in an artists madness
of pride-I found myself Inundated
one night, the very night 1 had so
wished to- excel-by my wife's SUI
perior performance. 1 and my loud
attempt was lost, in her glory; can
you understand q mans bitter jeal-
that madness. 1 know not what re-
proaches l brought to my wife-I
know that next day she left me Sc
cretly, and my most absorbing effort
to find her was unavailing. In order
to place me first in the musical world
which she thought my all-she had
effaced herself completely. And"
the musicians eyes, filed with re-
morseful tears, met those of his wife
"and broke my heart" he finished.
She met the townspeople gracefully,
the gifted wife of the famous musi-
clan.
"Such a charming pairr the resi-
dents said. mo doubt it was Mr..
Rolls wish that his wife remain I'M
known among us until he himself
I'll Il