Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 32, Number 157, 30 June 1907 — Page 7

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By JosnrnirtiE) SoitdsO"

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Copyright, 1907, ly Thomas H. McKee. ANET was ushered into a dim hall so perfect that entering It seemed part of a rite. A trim - maid showed her up the carved stairway, and into the room where soft voiced women were laying aside their wraps, and

Js.:usrlng the recital of chamber music about to gln in the rooms vfeftkw. A momentary hush Allowed Janet's entrance, and as the maid took ier hat and coat she was conscious that these woen of her world had been speaking of her. ifenri Raux' manifest and ardent wooing had not Vassal unnoticed. Janet smiled and bowed her greetings to her Vionds. and went down without even a glance at (he mirror. Her dark hair was parted from brow neck and rolled behind her ears in a fashion YU lent an odd Japanese appearane to her rale face and long gray eyes. She was small but ;r, with a distinction of carriage that made iem tall. Her drees was so perfect that the observer would only have known that It ,', with soft lace draped on the bodice, and was very beautiful in it. At the stair's hostess greeted her, a pretty child handed jgram, and she seated herself near a little md in the music room doorway facing U&ns. isle room was even more shrine-like than nd. like the larger rooms opening from it, larvellous effect of simplicity, considering Lb of rich detail. The general color-feel-that of still green relieved by Jars of red carelessly about. Soft oriental draperies iwn back from the doorways and in a irer the piano stood a great, white-winged All the curtains were close-drawn, and shaded candles lighted the soft gloom, for Henri Reaux' caprice to think himself unlo play Dy dayllg&t. He said the glare delA his mood and irritated him. let sat watching the little orchestra of four For all that his appearance told, the sec0ll11lst might have been a clerk or a broker; Mlist was a fat, comrnon-Dlace-lookintr man. rgf-sted much beer. But the sixteen-year-old V CEAUX WAS THE NEWEST MUSICAL, IDOL joy with the violin might have fittingly worn a halo: his face, thonsh not nrfrt of feature arnm if expression beautiful, and very fair. His eyes sought Janet's face with respectful adoration. ( Then the first violinist" rose to touch the keyte on the piano. While the others tuned their Itturcents and as he return WfrIg tvIoao hfj lk a long-stemmed roseror&vase and. passing net. dropped it in her lap. He was the observed all eyes. Henri Reaux was the city's newest iisical Idol; for three months society had adored feted him for his music, his perfect manners. irvunai ivrcisu cuarm ana distinction. lie a new sensation. He was of medium height firaeeful. though rather thick-set, with dark only a thought too long, and a pale complexYt)ffst by his carefully curled black moustaohe. Tcould rot have been forty. Always a favorit j!h women, men shrugged their ehoulders and

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laughed at the women who surrounded him, though they had no definite objection to him. As he tuned hi3 Instrument a preliminary ecstasy shone in his flue dark eyes and, meeting Janet's glance, Ms face almost lit to beauty. Janet eat fingering her rose, which was a splash ' of crimson against her gTay gown. This afternoon he was to play for and to her, and afterwards she was to say whether she would go to Paris with him when he returned thither in a week. He told her sh alone could make him play as a god, could through him pour the beauty of her pure spirit into hl3 music. He could do nothing without her now; Fhe had taken from him his own power and must not deny him the gift of her more perfect strength. Roused by hl3 devotion to what she thought was an tnswering love in herself, she intended to go with him. She hardly understood Just why she had postponed her answer till now. Perhaps an indefinable wlstfulness in her widowed, mother's face had stayed her a reluctance to leave her alone. Was it some instinct that said "Walt?" Sho was sure it was no thought of Ellis Field whom she refused because she wa3 not sure of raoro than a comradely affection for him, and who had temporarily left town Just before the musl-cIj-j came. She had hardly thought of EIH3; certainly had not missed him. What made her rercni'jer him now? ! The tuning ended; and a Beethoven Adagio thrilled so softly into the room that it3 beginning was felt rather than heard. And as if in answer to a call, Ellis Field quietly entered and took a seat in front of Janet and just to one side?. For a moment every head turned toward him; not entirely because hU return to the city was unknown and unexpected, or because ho was moro often found at his law office than at afternoon functions; nor even because he was an open lover of Janet; but because he wa3 disturbingly definite and vital the- wild note where tameress prevailed. H!3 strong and lovable personality rervaded any company where he appeared, and never retrecud into thd polite color!e3sness of mere convention. Other men loved him; children soucht him; old ladiea to'd him their troubles. He was tall and a blonde, with tho smile of a boy, and stern righteousness lay beneath tho kindnccs in h!3 bluo eyes. Ellis Field's proximity troubled Janet and disturbed her mood. He had placed ono Ions arm across the back of tho vacant chcir before her and cho found herself watching tho f.no tonseno.s cf his hand which, without actually moving, yet seemed to vibrate to every tone ol tho rivs'c. She lcmembercd that he was no nc:a pianis. himsclf. His face v;aa turned to loolc part her, and sho could rco his cye3 narrov a little in evident contemplation of Rear.-. Cho ltr.d a momentary indignant Jmpulcc, half r-olherly, t. shield tho artist fror.i tho pitiless scrutiny ot thkJ balanced youns man of the world, in v;hoi the judg never dept. Dho felt nervously that Elli would not understand the musician'3 temper-, aiv.ent. Never before had cho felt a th.ob of apology for the man sho intended to marry; it surprised and hurt her. Then tho caressing passion of tho violin's dating laid its spell upon her, and she joyed in the thought that she v.r.s inspiring it that sho was Ftfrrinj; Reaux' interpretative life to ne.v vitality. Shs felt the woman's pleasure cf giving ail that she has, and found a finer generosity in the man's ability to receive without any thought of recompense. Ellis would not have accepted any sacrifice from any woman. Ho would give all and tak thankfully what camo to him. She met Reaux' eyes in an instant of command and pleading, and tried to give him a glance full of comprehension. As he drew the last note she wished Impatiently that Ellis had not come into her thoughts of Reaux; she saw Ellis's hand relax, heard him take a deep breath and join generously in tha applause. With a sense of relief she knew that she had dreaded even the unspoken verdict of Ellis Field. At least he did not withhold his appreciation of the man's playing. In the lull before the next number, there was a low murmur of talk and some shifting of places. Mrs. Hartley moved about looking to the comfort of her guests, and finally came to stand in deferential converse with Reaux, not seeing his wish to go to Janet. Ellis had moved to the chair beside her and in low tones was explaining his sudden return. He did not say that a letter from her mother had hastened it. His heart contracted as he noted tho change in the girl her queer, dreamy absentness her nervous pose, a symptom which he had never before seen in her. She seemed half unaware of what was going on about her and almost Indifferent to his return. Then she spoke something like her old self. "What brings you here? You used to hate such affairs." Ellis himself could not have been moro direct. "I came to see your musician. I saw in tho papers that you were said to be engaged to him, and I went straight to your mother. Then I made inquiries and found out all there is to know about him in this country nothing to his particular discredit, I admit. .Tour mother said yon were to give him a final answer this afternoon and I prorosed to see what he was like." "What right have you to to" but her resent-

ment died away at thought of what he had been to her tlnce childhood, and especially since her father's death. Her refusal of hi3 love gave him a more unhampered right to look after her. And Ellis was always fair. He went on: "I tnxxs say that I don't like him, but that is not my affair, If yon are sure that you do. I do not want you to wake up and find that yon are married to a mere musician. It is easy to see how he might fascinate yon, as ho has all those other women. Such things are catching." "You seem to think that a musician cannot be a man!" She spoke resentfully. His reply was instant. -

"You mistake; I am only too sure that a musician is always a man! I mean to have you realize what particular sort of a nan this musician is, that's all, Janet. I don't mean to Interfere with you; I sin: ply want you to be careful, to use your Judgment and not to go by half-hypnotized emotions." 'I don't understand you." Her voice was cold. "That's the point. Once you would have understood. Don't you see the change in yourself? Don't you see that he take3 you at a disadvantage?" "What do you mean?" "I mear that for three months this man shows himself to you in overheated rooms, sick with the odor of hothouse flowers and dim with drawn shades and candles, and puts you under the spell of his fascinating presence and hia emotional music. It is unhealthy, and I should think you would stifle. What has become of the out-of-doers Janet that I once knew? Why does te not take you out into the wind and the sunshine and ask ycu to marry him? Why does he ndt play in the dajllght? Music, the kind you and I love, is a clean, pure, daylight thing. You will Booner or later realize that life holds many better things than sweet sounds in a dim room, Janet! Wake from your dreaming and consider this man as a man, au everyday companion. Will he do to walk and talk with? Would you like to eat breakfast vr'Lh him every morning?" She fingered her rose with cold fingers and was silent as he continued hastily while the musicians again tuned their instruments. "Janet, don't answer this man until after you have walked four or five mlle3 alone in this bracing winter air. Then you will be more fit to decide what you really want! Y.'ill you, Janet for tho sake of what you might have been to me?" She looked up to meet the old boy-smile. "He has changed dnce I came into his life," she made reply. "He can do nothing without me! he cannot play without me. And he love3 me! You do net understand." Did he not? Ellis's face grew grim. Did he not love her? Had he not the prospect of a life without her? And this stranger he could cheerfully have slain him for playing upon her generosity! Still he told himself he would net have minded

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Nl - lf 2 lliWliillM:' I,.-. 1 "Sri if the man had been worthy of her. "But do you love him?" he flashed back. Janet hesitated. She could not say she was sure! Further talk was Impossible, for just then the tuning ceased, and a bright allegro thrilled like light through the dim parlors. Janet stirred restlessly, and Ellis reached past her to steady the little candle-stand. Then Reaux played as even Janet had not heard him play before. She knew it was his personal cry to her, the expression of his need of her, and that a hitherto absent note cf doubt and supplication had crept into his insistent held upon her sympathy. She realized that the entrance of E1113 Field had disturbed the musician, that he sounded a note of fear that her answer might not meet his desire. She began to realize that her feeling shrank from his clinging hold upon her spirit, which gave no answer to his call. She sat looking straight at him as she had never looked before, with the clear-eyed, merciless gaze of the woman without prejudice, Indifferentlv willing to see any man at his true value. She felt herself capable of criticism. Was Ellis right after all? H -r-as jealous! could he at the same time bu Jnst? Her knowledge of Ellis told her that he could. Then she tried to put the thought of Ellis aside, to listen as she had listened before, to let herself

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be swept irto the pulse and stir of sweet sound; to herself softly in the dreams of the present moment where she need not think. It was a vain effort. She could not escape the knowledge that the friend of her childhood, the first lover of her girlhood was beside her; she felt her soul straighten and rise to its own firm, healthy height and shake itself free from dim and vagua enactions; life seemed big and sane and sweet. Looking at Reaux she felt herself eternally remote from him and from his kind. She tor herself from the soft relentlessness of the musician's dependence upon her tenderness and strength. She discerned pitilessly, and discerning, saw what she could have wished not to see. Sho deliberately recalled every look and word and testurG of the man; remembered the evening functions where they had met, and later the long evenings at her home hl3 rich voice la her ears, his white fingers on the strings of the instrument he bo loved, his dark eyes fixed upon her face. She recalled his worshipful statements of what she could be, was to him, and for him, and with him. Always that always his ambition. Was it a love based, like much worship, on selfish desires? Was it .1 love with any greatness of soul in it? Or was Ellis right? Though it hurt a little to do so. she relentlessly stripped Reaux of his art. Would he bo a man without it? What would he be without his supple, whito hands? She saw vanity in every gesture, and in his face that air of public modesty which 13 tho bravado of self-confessed weakness. There was self-indulgence, and a sensual .curve In the rea lips beneath the overtrained little moustacne. Did she want this man? From film she turned to the boy musician, the sweet purity of ,hose face was in itself a victory; he could lose his power to play with sounds and still some day be a man in all the word could mean. The recognized contrast brought trouble and decision into her eyes. As the finale rang out Ellis turned and looked down at her. He smiled. "Janet don't be afraid of anything not even of yourself. I want to ask you something only you need r.ot answer save to yourself. Has that man ever touched you? Could you let him? Somehow I should not want him to." She started as from a blow. Touch her! He never had. And now she knew that if he so much a touched her with a finger she 6hould hate him and herself. Had he known that a touch would break the spell he had laid upon her, and for that reason refrained? Ellis would even lift and carry her on occasion and she was scarcely consclons of him; but with an innate physical fastidiousness she shrank from the thought of Reaux nearness. The program was ended and Reaux came toward her smiling and bowing Lis .wax through

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L- ' i . . ' 1 - $;Vv:;'MONSIEUR, I NEVER FORGET." hindering and congratulatory groups of women, but still nt-aring her. Suddenly the polish of his manner appeared to her almost slippery. She did wish him even not to speak to her. She rose nervously and Ellis rose too. intending to let Reaux have no word with her, but he was not qrtick enough to avert what happened. Janet's drej?s a3 she shrank back toward him had csught upon the little candle-stand. As Raox reached his hand to her, she stepped back and the stand was overturned. It fell with a crash. The Came caught the paper shades, flashed up the light drapery of the doorway beside her, end licked delicately at the ceiling before anyone realized Just what had occurred. It sprang up the lace on Janet's gown. She did not move, but die heard women 6cream, heard a rush towards the doors, and felt herself caught tightly in Ellis's ems while he crushed the fire out against his brea3t with his naked hands. In that stunned instant she was strangely cognizant of all that passed. She knew Reaux. pale as death, had leaped back to safety and was still assuring everyone in his deep rich voice that he and his priceless violin were entirely uninjured. She knew that the boy with the beautiful fae had sprung to her side almoet before Ellis could seize her, and that even now he was stifling with rugs the burning draperies he had torn down. And as EIH3 reluctantly released her she knew that not a hair of her head was Injured. As she stood straight and looked about she felt herself fully 99

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awake and alert. It was broad day now 'forever. No mere unhealthy Illusions. Someone had raised the curtains and the bright winter sunlight made the candles seem sickly an garish. The windows were opened to let oat th4 smoke end a breath of bracing wind struck her tall in the tace. The danger was over, and those whf had not Incontinently Ced gathered about In syn pathetic curiosity. Between Janet and Reaux an Kills Field the air had been overcharged with mean lng all the afternoon. Now the girl stood waiting. It had all happened In a moment, and Reaux was hasttoing to her. He had intended to take both her bands, but somehow the look In her eyes deterred his dramatic Intention. She crippled hi, power to act. He could seem nothing he was not, though ht braved an attempt, speaking beneath his breath but still audibly enough to establish his public claim upon her attention. He meant Ellis, whoever he was, to understand that the girl was hs. Ah, beautiful one I grieve that It was not mine to save you that I must let this gentleman" with & bow to Ellis, who scarcely looked at hiui and kopt a hand on Janet's arm "that I must let this gentleman take my place lest I play for you no more as I have played this day. It was not I who played, but Mademoiselle." This with a glance at his listeners. Those about were still Insisting that some one must hare been hurt, that Janet should Me down; and Ellis an steadfastly refusing to let Mrs. Hartley bandage his hands, which were slightly burned, tnanks to hi own skill and quickness. He would not have felt burns far more severe, for a great Joy filled him. He had held Janet in his arms and nad felt her yield to his clasp with a confidence which his heart told him was not all fear. He knerr the had clung to him aa a refuge from more than the dread of flames. Janet was still turned from Reaux. The boj stooped and from beneath Ellis's foot picked the red rose. It was crushed and broken, but It had been In her hand; he held It delicately and passed it to her. "Your rose." His amlle made the bear" xace still more beautiful, and she gave hiu. full sweetness of her 'black-lashed . gray eyes. But she did not want the flower. "I am afraid the poor roea has had lta iay, shs said, with a slow meaning that did not escape Reaux. But he chose to ignore it. He would set her away from this blue-eyed, disturbing yemnc man and again master her moods to his wil He mould wait. "It Is I who will accompany you home. Mademoiselle." "I thank you, Monsieur, but I fear not. No. Mr.

11 r 1 :4',v f': -'V:Hattley, I refuse to be made a martyr of. Mr. Field has taken what little Injury there was. My lace only Is a bit scorched, snd my long coat will cover that. If you will kindly have the maid bring my wraps I will not go upstairs at all." She made her farewells to several others, and then once more met the violinist's Insistence. He lowered his voice to the old pleading, commanding key. "LTadcmoIselle, there Is that which you have still to tell me. Is It that you forget?" Her eyes met his as she slipped her arms Into the coat Ellis held for her. Her glance was cold; but shame that she could ever hare even thought she loved the man made her voice very gentle In Its finality. "Morsieur, I never forget! And only now have I fully understood. I am sure I have nothing to tell you." She bowed deeply. Then she gave her hand to her hostess. "My awkwardness has made all this trouble and fright for so many. I do not know how to ask your pardon. I must have been dreaming! I shall take a long walk to steady my nerves. Goodby!" She turned towards Field. "Will you come with me Ellis?" So Janet and Ellis went out Into the crisp winter air and swung Joyfully away towards the winter sunset; but summer was In their hearts. The boy musician with the beautiful face was treasuring a crushed and broken red rose. At Mrs. Hartley's sideboard Henri Reaux poured himself yet another glass of vine

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