New Britain Herald Newspaper, May 25, 1921, Page 14

Krasped her bow firmly, sed ber eyes so that she Eht not see the faces at her, and broke into the pr the prelude. An apprecia- ttled over her audience. It one heard such musio at N was &0 artist, her fa- , and only his premature prevented her from taking | position in (ke musical t at elghteen one must eat, usical profession is over-- 0 & year after her fathers’ n was rather glad of her ment even though it was *ing the dinner hour st an urant, hing man pausing o the wondered what had come ols. His eyes took In the Minted cefling, the walls ith mifrors, the little round nd then as his astonishment y lifted to the musiclans’ gal- than he stood quite still, gaz- Wwith his soul tn his eyes. jognized her immediately. A pre, when he had first start- on the new subway, there an accident. He had been first of the rescuing squad on the scene of the cave-in, d carried Nan in his arms to above. He had never for- ! Nttle white face lying L shoulder, the shadowy vio- nor the tremendous voice that ed him. She had not been #he hwd gone off presenmtly had not sean her agsin. And find her, playing the violin at m't capable of Judging how played, and he was frowning a8 he made his way down the Fortunately he was able to get that commanded & view of the , and hé joimed W the applause rone deateniingty as sho finished. tace was white as bowed An Intervention of Fate her thanks. The ovation frightened her, but Clotto rushed up and shouted, “Encore, encore!” and she play again. Archer OGrayson listened to a loqua~ clous walter’s tale of how good for- tune had come to Ciotto’s, but Toma- 80 eould tell him little of the violinist. She was new, it was her first night, she played well though she was such & Iitfle mouse of a thing and looked frightened to death. It was while the SOPrano Was war- bling “Rose, Here Is My Heart” that Nan discovered him. She was sitting back, half screened by the artificial foliage, and her curious eyes were wandering over the gayly-dressed au- dience when they finally met Gray- son's stare. Her recognition was not as quick as his. His face puzszied her, and then fn a flash she also recalled the fnhéfdent. Her heart came up In her throat, but he had seen that she was remembering and ke dared to smile. Involuntarily, her own lips curfed upward and e smiled back at him. It was a wonderful evening! £he played to an enthusiastic audience and she found the hero of her only romance. She wondered what he was dolng at Clotte's. Most of the men were In evening dress, but he was wearing a rough suit of tweeds and a shirt with a soft collor. The next night he brought her some roses and sent them up to her Dy the boy at the door. She thanked him with her eyes and she pluned them on the front of her white dress, and Gray- son was satisfled. Ofotto saw the flowers and the young man in rough tweeds, and he scowied. BEt Ne had to proceed wari- ly, for at the cashler’'s desk sat Gin- Ua, his deceased wife ster, and he had only been able to avoid matri- mony with her by vowing that he could mot bear to put anyone In his adored Marina’'s place. Nan awoke & late passion in his breast. She was almost young enough to be his granddaughter, but his heart flamed with the ardor ot a youth of twenty. “S0 sleem, so pretty!” he would sigh, and then he would trot over to the gallery with some unimportnat re- mark. The third night of Grayson's appear- ance, he uttered a word of warning. “The young men who come here are no good. They have no honorable in- tention.” He used the plural, but Nan knew that his rancor was direct- ed against one in particylar, “That desn’t matter. I come here to earn my living not for the sake of company, but so far every one has been polite to me.” She felt impelled to defend Grayson, who sat in his usual seat facing the musiclans’ gal- lery. “It 1s because I like you so much that I am warning you. Don’t trust that young man. Don’'t let him wait for you outside!™ Nan bit her lip as she protested that the young man referred to had never suggested such a thing. It was true; and suddenly she realized that she al- most resented his fallure to push the scquaintnce beyond nods and smiles. As {f consclous of her censure, pres- ently he sent her a request, written on’ his card, to play “A Perfect Day.” “Tell Mr. Grayson,” she consulted the card in glving her reply to the walter, “that I'm sorry. I haven't the music with me but I'll bring it to- morrow night.” Archer Grayson! She dreamed over his name. He must be poor fo come into Ciotto's night after night in an old gray suit, but surcly he was a gen- tleman! Nan sighed for the old days, during her father’s Ilifetime, when she had known men of Archer Grayon's class. They were different to the men she met at her boarding house; she would have nothing to do with these, and so she led a very lonely life. But it gave her plenty of time for dreams. In spite of the fact that it made himy conspicucus, Grayson paused ja front of the gallery to thank her for her rendition of “A Perfect Day.” “I wish I could stay longer,” ks added regret- fully, “but I've got to go back o work.” “¥ork?” Nan repeated. What kind of work did one do at 9 o'clock? “Yes. I'm helping to build the new subway,” he explained. Nan called up a vision of laborers in their overalls. There was always some one over them, a boss. Was that Archer Grayson's occupation? She thought about him the rest of the evening. Ciotto also thought about him and the fear that he had a rival quickened his passion until he was al- most ready to cast discretion to the winds, and defy Glulfa. He had not failed to drop hints of the state of his feelings to Nan. He had made numerous references to dresses, jewelry, lessons from the best masters, all of which she might enjoy if she would omly become his wife. What would happen when he put aside his reserve and came out boldly! She supposed she'd lose her place, ,nnd how could she face another winter without employment? She dared not hope for help from Gtayson. They had known each other almost a year, but they had not spoken together more than oncee since their first meeting. But it seemed as 1f Grayson had suddenly determined to make up for lost time. The following night he came in early. Nan had just arrived and she was alone in the gallery, and they had almost fifteen minutes to- gether. She told him a good deal in that time, enough to make his heaft very tender toward her. He had a couple of hours off every afternoom, and he wondered what she did with herself from three until five. Did she ever go to the Metropolitan? She said yes a little guiltily, and the next aft- ernoan she met him there, and they singered in the art gallery until it was so late that she was the last perferm- er to arrive at Clotto’s, instead of the first. Ciotto reproved her, btrt she scarce- Iy heard him. He was seething with jealousy. Fate had been kind to him. Giulia had been called to Brooklyn to stay with a sick aunt; she would be gone at least three days. If he could only marry “leetle Nan” during her absence, he could steal a march on her, but he would have to hurry mat- ters. And tonight, when he had planned to propose, the girl came in late with flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes, and the hated young man in tweeds was in his usual corner, and they smiled at each other. That night when Nan was putting up her music ‘preparatory to leaving, Ciotto sent for her. Most of the diners bad gone, and the proprietor was sit- ting at a little table in a corner. “I have ordered some supper. Sit down. I want to talk to you Try this cocktail; it is a Ciotto cocktail.” He' spoke quickly. He had only a slight trace of accent, noticeable when he was excited. Nan’s heart safk. 'She raised the cocktail to her lips but barely tasted the mixture. Then she faced him gravely. “What did you wish to say to me, Mr, Ciotto?” she asked. He began with a preamble. He was @ lonely old man, his children had gone out into the world to make places for themselves; his sister-in- law would go back to Italy (this was what he hoped to force her to do), and he needed a woman in his home. A little white rosebud of a girl with violet eyes and soft white hands, some- one he could love and he good to. Nan came to herself with a start For a moment she let her mind dwell on what it would mean if she accept- ed him. An end to her financial wor- ‘What Made Him Assert Himself QUNDS oame fSloaling down from the attic, owminous sounds they seemed to Helen Wilcox sat stitching upon the sewing e. Bvidently things were un- & & general overhauling. “She's rummaging up there ever since " the girl thought. “I wonder she's up te.” She sighed and fgain ovef the gingham apron was making. Presently she the machine and glanced Up. mother had entered the room, M. Wilcox Was & short woman, t sxacily Iike o pyramid. She wore o1l skirt, a Wwhits walst, a ly knit jacket and an spron. Her hair was slioked of her high into & Gamp wad on top of bead. She had plercing dark eyes, usudlly locked over a palr of bowed glasses. Fer prim, purwed mouth Was as sour as a plokled . Bhe sat down upen the edge of chalr and looked at Felen over the Shé had something wound up bher aprom, the girl eould see with pang of apprehension. HAA her ther found Ner littlo box of letters, deh #he had bhidden away behind woolen chest as the safest pos ble place for 1t? “Helen,” began Mrs. Wilcox, omi- nously. Helen dM not speak. It was the box of letters—those inmocent little notes which Willard Rudd had sent her from time to time and which her father had contrived to get into her keeping without her mother’s knowiedge. In all things Helen and her father were allies, and he approved of Willard as much as her mother disapproved. Not that her mother had any reason for ber disapproval except the fact— “Did you hear me speak to you Heleat" deanded Mrs. Wilcox stern- Iy, *“Yes, mother. What is 1t?” Mrs. Wilcox brought her hand out of Her apron with a jerk. In it was a brewn pint bottle, the very comtour ot which was condemnatory, to say nothing of an odor which lingered about it. “Look at that!” she safd. “What do you think of your father now T Rellet followed so fast upom fear that Helen smiled. “Do you dare to laugh at s thing like that?” went om Mrs. Wilcox in borror. She left the room, holding the bottle at arm’s length, her nose turn- ed the other way. Helen buried her face in the folds of gingham. Sobs and giggles came on the same breath. Poor father! “If only he dared assert himself,” she thought. “If only I dare! I wonder what she'd do if we did. I fear to contemplate it. But {it's terrible to live like this. There's no peace in this house day or night.” She reached into the pocket of her blue serge dress and took out a fold- ed note which had come to her under cover of her father. “Dear Helen,” it sald. “I'm comling home in a few days, and 1 want to sce you. I'd like to have this thing settled. They've ruised my wages and I can marry easy as not. And I want you. You know that, ‘WIBLARD.” The sobs ceased and the smiles came. She kissed the letter passion- ately. At that instant a hand from be- hind grasped her shoulder and the let- ter wis snateled away. With & cry she looked up into her mother’s accus- ing face, “I've been watching you, too, young lady,” she said, calmly. “And now I've caught you. Ha!" She read the note while Helen squirmed in agony, her head in her hands. “Ha he wantg you! Well, he can want. No daugh- ter of mine shall marry Deel Rudd's son. I'll put this note with your fa~ ther’'s—that thing. Oh, I'll have some- thing to say to him when he comes home, and don’t you forget it. And I want to tell you right now that such goings on are going to stop or Il kuow the reason why. Now, you hark your noise and finish that apron right away. I'm going ' out to stir up & Jjohnnycake for supper.” When Mrs. Wilcox wished to add the last stroke to the punishment of her husband or daughter she ‘always made johnnycake, because she knew they both hated it. As Helen wiped her face and continued sewing sho heard a spoon clapping against the sides of the big y#ilow mixing bowl. Through her fresh trouble trickled a sense of painful amuscment. “She’s making & big one this time,”. she thought, “and we'll have to eat it, every crumb.” Behind her the door that led into the hall opened tentatively and her father’s cautious whisper reached her across the reom. - “Where's she?” he asked. Helen swung round and looked at hinmi. He was a stout, loosely put to-~ gether man, in large, untidy clothes. He had a mild, sweet face and eyes that would - have been humorous if they were not so anxious. “Where?” he asked again, putting a hand beliind the best of his deaf ears. Helen motfoned toward the kitchen. Then she ran to him, put lier lips to his ear, and told him what had hap- pened. He nodded with an occasional “Um” “$he did, eh? Pshaw!” he said. He flumbled in his pockét. “Here’s some- thing for ye. Willard’s here and he wrote this in my office. I told him warn't no chance of his seeing you right off, so he better send you a line.” ' She had just time to slip her treas- ure into the neck of her dress as her mother looked into the -room: “Ha!” You've come, have you?” she said, glaring at her husband. “I was on the lookout for you. I've got something to say to you, Fletcher Wil- cox.” Helen fled. In her own room she When True Metal Proves It HI great steamer swifuy plow- way through the treach- erous early days of the war whea people looked on the U-boats as more of an fllusion than & reality, Evelyn Camille, one of the passen- gers, felt that she was indeed for- tunate, for had she not been selected for & difficult task and st that par- ticular moment was she not vlookln; her best. “How fortunate that I should look my best just now,” Evelyn mused to herself as she promenaded the deck with Jobn Ramsay, whom she had knows in New York. As they neared the end of the steam- or chilir line running along tho side of the @abin Evelyn threw herself care- lessly Into one and John took his place next fo her. " 1ooked Up ‘waters, but It was In worth,” John Ramsay announced, and as Mr, Panl Hllsworth, known every- where in elite society, offered his hand in response to Evelyn's little plump one, John Ramsay added: “Miss Ca- mille 1§ one of my tellow members in the Pross Club, you know, and we are bound on the same mission and only realized this morning that we were to be war-news rivals,” he finished smil- ingly. “Do tell me gome of your newspaper experiénces,” coaxed the handsome Mr. Ellsworth, and because Evelyn had bad some real adveutures in her chosen profession she was only too glad of the opportunity to relate them. The conversation sccined to be con- fined to Evelyn and Mr. Ellsworth, thought Jokn to himself after an hour or 30, and in order to let the mewly aoguainted couple know that he felt “out of it,” John suggested golng be- For days after Evelyn seemed to for- get that there ever existed such a per- son as John Ramsay. Confidently, John was terribly in love with Evelyn, and her lack of in- terest in him seemed to be wrench- ing his heart of all fts natural glow. Then suddenly one afternoon the 014 but ever true law of compensation arose to its zenith for John, Luncheon had just been served and the guests were idling about, soni¢ coming up the companlonway from the ining saloh and others at their cus- tomary places in the steamer chairson deck. Evelyn was just coming along deck with Paul Ellsworth stopped, the first time In many days, and the three began & merry chat— as merry as John could possibly make Rimscit be. “Wonder who invented this subma- rine scare they tell us about,” Paul the She cry rang out down the deck. “Submarine, submarine sighted, ft i8 over there, zece—" shouted one man, breathlessly. Chairs were vacat- ed with lightning speed. The people were frightened, drawn looks on their faces became frantic with fear. Womi- en and men were scurrying hither and thither, trying all at once to get be- low to their staterooms for their valu- ables. Paul Ellsworth of all the men was most exeited “Wait,” John Ramsay #aid in his dé- cisive, commanding tone. - “Wait nothing,” returned Paul tremblingly. “I've got too much at stake to take any chance with my life,” he added, as ke rushed into the cabin. John was about to lead Evelyn up to the top deck, where the lifeboats were being prepared, when ghe scampered away from him and out of sight like a shot, he shin was surely im distress., By- The only cool, calm and collected man aboard outside the officials was John Ramsay. With cheering words he assured the women there was no danger. The life boats were filled, women first, as the first mate commanded; then the life preservers were handed to the remaining women on the deck. Evelyn was nowhere to be found on the deck. She must already have been taken in one of the lifeboats, John thought to himself. As he turned to look through the crowd behind him he spied a figure disappearing in tho doorway. John deft his post at the lifeboats and hast- ened after the fisure. He followed Paul Ellsworth down below, deck by 4deck, until he came to the bottom, A grim picture formed in Jobn's mind as back into the steerage be followed him. ft was true! So true that all the Ihstinct of manhood came surging to da as he saw Paul By Abner Anthony ries, for he 'was making plenty of money, and the possibility 6f & career. She was sure he would allow her to go on with her music. But shé put that temptation aside. Success was worth striving for, worth paying for, but the price he offered was too high. Nevertheless, it would not do to re- fuse him too abruptly, and she began to play for time. He had takem her by surprise—she had not thought of marriage—and then she blushed. Comsclous of all he bad o offer, however, he took courage from her blush. Giulia was to be away three days. Well, he could give her until toomorrow to make up her mind. She managed to besg for anmother day of grace, but the third night Ciot- to demanded his answar, Giulla might retirn and he wanted matters settled before she could interfere. It was Sundsy night. The place was crowded, but Nan played 1istless- ly. The table d'hote was for dinner only, and about 10 o’¢lock most of the patrons had left. There were only two tables occupiéd, and Nan with the other performers bégan to put away her mausic. A meéssénger bfought her word that Ciotto wished her to femain. He was in the kitchen, but he would be with her preseritly. Nan thought of flight but realized it would do no good. It would be better to have it over with. She was putting her vielin in the case when a'man came down the aisle. It was Grayson and he was in evening dress. “I couldn’t get here before,” he said, “but I've stopped in to 'take you home.” Nan’s heart lightened. She was no longer afraid of the interview with Ciotto. She explained that she had to sée theé proprietor, but it would only take a few minutes. Clotto trotted up from the kitchen. He beckoned imperiously to Nan, and then he paused. Giulia swept in from By Elsie shut the door, flung herself on the bed .and covered her head with a pillow. Her mother's righteous wrath was ap- palling. Sometimes even the neigh- bors heard it. After a while she un- covered her head. There was quiet below. Now and then she heard her father’'s voice with a new note in ity and a feeble murmur that might have been her mother’s. She sat up on the bed, palpitating. What had happened? She was terrified. Had her mother throwm something, perhaps, and struck her father? Her dear, patient old fa ther! She must see. Fairly tumbling down the long flight of carpeted stairs she reached the sitting room door. Her mother sat on the couch, a little less upright than usual, looking down her nose. Her father stood beside her, very flushed, but with all the mildness of his face suddenly congealed into de- termination. He saw Helen and beck- oned. “Come here, daughter,” As she slid toward him he passed bis arm ‘sbout her and drew her neater. *“Your mother and I've been having a little talk,” he said, in his slow, gentle voice, ‘“We've—we've come to &n un- the street, and he realized in & fGash that she knew. i “So!” hissed Qlulis. She broke into a torrent of invective, and Ciotto quafled under it. Then she turned on Nan, “Did you think with your big eyes and white face you could make him marry you? When he has sworn by my sainted sister’s memory that he would never marry any one!” Ciotto’s courage deserted him. Gi- ulia Bad ruled him with a rod of iron for years. If he could only have mar- ried Nan DBefore Giulia’s retutn! _ “Of course, I don’t want to m&sry het. Who told@ you such a lle, Gi= ulfa?”* he said indignantly. 3 > Nan leaned weakly against the rall- ing. Every fibre of heér being cried out against the insult. He had vnt-‘ ed to marry her, but he was afrald that hotrible old woman. And n every one would belleve the llé! She dared not ratse her eyes, and so she bhad not seen Grayson approach. She did not know he was there until he spoke. 5 2 “Ciotto would never have dared to think of marrying Miss Syms. It Would be & fepetition of Beauty and the Beast! And don’t let Miss Syms’ futare. concern you. She’'d alreéady made up her mind to leave here to- night, hadn't you, Nan?” He had, mounted the three steps lesding to .the musiclans’ gallery and now he reach- ed out his band for the violin case, A great content stole over Nan's heart. She raised her eyes and saw that he was pale and his dark eyes were glowing ominously.' It was hard for him to hold himself in check and yet Clotto would make a miserable antagonist. She did not know what disposio he would make of her future, bu! felt that she could trust him. “Come,” she said, slipping her within his arm. And so they wentou into the night together. ® “Endicott .derstanding.. She—we've bean | ing under a mistake for a good 4 It's a man’s plice to be thé hésd his house and I've decided to your mother of that responsibility the future. She means well, but sot her notions of right and Wwro little mixed. When the doctor rec mends me to take a little whisky quinine before meals I'm going to ft. And when you set your h “marrying a nice, ¢leaf, hard young fellow like W#lard Rudd yo .going to have him. You ¢an just, to-the ‘phone and invite him over evening. Your mother and 1 wén'Y in your way any. And while_yo about it you can order a dozen from the bakery. I'm sorter hun tonight for hot rolls.” « As Helen stared in amazement stooped over and laid his hand on wife’s shoulder. . “Come, now, S act pretty and we’ll say no more [it. You're a sensible woman ibler than I be, for I had no to let you go on like this long hdve. By Ceorge, I didn’t cars) myself, but when it came to Hel his jhw set—“1 had to break boss or bust,” he ended simply. By Phil Moore was about to run upsteirs when John Ramsay swung on him with all his might. “Never while I live will you do that, you cur,” John seecthed at him, while he grasped him by the throat and turned him to the floor. He hurled the life preserver back to the little dark Italian woman who had stood with hollowed eyes and face as white as death looking at the beast of a man. “You'll die right here before you darown,” John Ramsay promised as he strove to remove Ellsworth's clench from his wrists. Suddenly like a shadow from the sea John saw a dark figure from behind some barrels. “John! John!” screamed Evelyn hysterically, “don’t do it, don't—I saw 1t' ali too. 'Y followed him, but I never knew what'a beast he is—Jobn, please réldage him for my sake”—and at the sound of Evelyn’s voice John’s fingers automatically relased the death grip he held on Ellsworth's throat. emerge "y arm and rushed her at bres speed up the companionway to deck. “What's wrong?” queried Joh plexed. “Nothing wrong,” thank God captain answered. “It was United States submarine c: say how d'ye do, but the spreads torror and the p: to the lifeboats without my o© Late that afternoon, as . th @ozed om the horizon before gt rest, John and Evelyn were sif gether on deck in a seclugq spot. Paul Elisworth walked paj head hung low. They ignored tirely. - “John,” Evelyn breath ments later, “I never ka h brick idealists wers made of.” “Nor I how yellow those b: under the shadow of gold,” he ed cleverly, but the look that} from one to the ~other searéhlight into each other's