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The Exeter Times, 1889-6-20, Page 6THE GHOSTS'. WAY, Qr ApJ ERiY,III. At, te little city in Massaohut:ettf3 the first :incident of any note -occurred, and it was the beginning of the end. About midway in theooncerb a Ivory ex. nellent performance tine of Spolir's symphon• lea was encored and I attempted to repeat it. Df ()puree I failed, and my hands Aided into stn arrangement which I thotight at :first was the adante in flat in Beethoven's symphony. ,I3t [•ere I had played two bars I' found I Was mistaken and that it was one of my "un. 3rnowns." -What possessed me to do eo I cannot tell, hue I whispered to Tommy, "Original. ar- rangement ; r-rangement; Love's Question," and he shout. ,cad it -out. The piece was listened to in the profound, net silence and well did it merit attention. As I say, it oommenced like the adante in A flat, then it danced off into a kind of scherzo and then glided into the most path- etic music I have ever heard. Mynamewasan inspiration. The whole arrangement was one grand question, and the et:alone, timid, hope- -ful, half despairing way in whioh the chortle :groped about in doubt, now feeling their way, now rejoicing at a little light, now be. neeohing an answer, now putting it off as if afraid of what might be, has never, to my knowledge, been equalled in music It was -the cry of a soul to a soul, "Do you love me ? Can you love me ? I am not worthy even 1of a thought, but, Oh 1 think of me tender- eiyie It said, in music. what Shelley only could say in words. " The desire of the moth for the star" was the undertone of every note, and so strangely did it affect me that tears truckled down my cheeks as I played. All of a Gudden I was conscious of a human dye piercing me through and through, I looked in the dress circle and on the front row of seats a dark eyed, gray bearded man was contemplating me with a look in which wonder and fear were so blended that I naught something of each. In the initial) of -the moat delicate and tender movement 'f the piece my hands were violently lifted tip at my throat and then dashed down so violently on the keys that I heard the strings morning. Jusu-befolre,breekfatt 1 entered hie room and found him, wild eyed and bag gered, writing the score I now kold in uiy fraud;' ` " He would nob come to breakfast nor dinner despite my -entreaties. I wont up to his room about four in the evonin;;, and just as"'I put my hand, on, the door knob I heard hini give a despairing cry. ' I cannot do ib. It will not come to lee.' I threw the door open, but too late: He had cut his throat from ear to ear, and his life blood ran out on this' aoore, which.I have kept by me ever since;^ but never heard reacted until you played it last night. May'T beg you to accept it ?'' CPAPTER ' X. • It is uueoeseery to go into any further particulate, Suffice it to say that the stran- ger left me no wirer than he came as to: my musical knowledge or the source of my roar• vellona performance. But the horror teat entered into my soul as be.told his simple narrative can better be imagined than de- scribed. Had I then located my ghostly performer ? 1 had grown somewhat accustomed to my peculiar pofsession. Ivans—who alone knew my secret—and I had talked the matter over, and I was beginning under his repeated asseverations to believe that it was really imagination on my part and that my genius took this peculiar shape, But now all the horror of my first night returned. I recalled with a shudder that it was about half past ten on a 21st of October night that I first felt those awful hands. It was true he died two yearn before, but it was on the anniver- nary of the day he commenced work on this piece of his that he—for I knew now it was he—oame and took possession of .me. Oh 1 the horror of it, the horror of it. I knew now why sometimes the touch of those hands felt moist and clammy. Could I ever go near a piano again ? Yes 1 I felt that I must continue to go on ; to let him through my agency accomplish some- thing, I knew not what. And then a great pity surged in my soul for the poor spirit whose body was mouldering into play, with no loving hand to deck the mound under which it was to become dust. As the stranger left me he made one re• of the piano snap, and neard and saw noth-quest. lag more until I awoke to consciousness in I I beg of you, air, to viett my town (here the green room on Ivans' knee, Skab stand- )I he gave me the name, which need not be wearing repeated here) and if you do, please play ing over me wringing his hands and s Me a trooper. Finding that I had only been out a moment 'insisted on going back, for to tell the truth Ives in an agony, fearing that my power Mad left me. Such, however, was not the case. The ghostly hands still exercised their sway and finished the concert. Onoe I lifted my eyes to the dress chole, but the man I had seen had left his seat. It appeared to me—it may have been fancy, but it certainly seemed to me—that the cold fingers on mind trembled, and that the execution was not as vigorous as usual. CHAPTER IX. Next morning about ten, a visitor to see me was announced. I told the bell boy to neper him into my apartment, and so fully nonvinced was I of who the visitor was that my pulse did not beat one whit the taster, and I was cool and collected when the man whose glance had terrified me no the night before came into my room. After the usual civilities, a kind inquiry after my health and a few compliments on my matchless playing, as he styled it, the stranger, begging my pardon for what might neem an impertinent query, asked me if I' grad ever taken lessons from or known Ru- dolph Aronsonheim. I answered promptly and truthfully that not only had I never ]blow him .bat .that I t6aoCo- *he firetr time heard the name. " Strange, sir," said my visitor, half musingly,. " strange. Your touch, your execution, everything about your playing, even down ton yc r rather peculiar fingering, Is Aronsonheim's in every respect. And stranger still, that beautiful concert piece you played waswritten by him. I never knew that any one but myself had even so much as seen the score. I have it with me. It is unfinished and ends in a confused scratching of pencil marks just where you were so unfortunate as to faint last night." As he spoke he drew savered stained pieces of music paper from Ms pocket and extend- ed his hand, holding them toward me. " You must excuse the -dirty appearance =of the sheets," said he in the same musing tone of voice. "" The poor fellow out his throat just before he iiniahed the score, and that is his life blood on the paper." "Gracious God!" I exclaimed, starting -from my seat and waving back the accursed macro. "1 tell you I never heard 'ot him before. Where I learned that horrible music Ido not know. I said it was original only because I could not locate it. Take it away Irom me." "Pardon me," said the stranger, rising, n' I fear I have been impertinent," and he :started as if to go. I interrupted him. P " Pardon me," I replied, " or rather my vehemence, 1 shall not, I cannot, permit you to leave without giving me at least some information as to this unfortunate man, 'whore music I seem unwittingly to have :appropriated." '5" WIth. pleasure, sir,". he replied, " if it wale a pleasure to rehearse even fn a few words eo melancholy a history." Seating himself he went on :— ".Aronsonheim was born in Bavaria, edit. mated in Munich. Before he was aixteen he was considered one of the finest pianists in 4. ermany. Allured by flattering hopes held Dub to him by relatives in this country, he name to New York and gave a few concerts, die was very unfortunate in his selections ; ler he had an insane admiration for early Italian and German masters and would play their compositions. "The usual result followed. Cursed as a beggarly 'Datohman,' he was ordered out of the house, forbidden to speak to the woman he loved and insulted as a snob only can in- oat116 a sensitive son]. "I met him at the door. His face was so pale he frightened me. Rile rushed by me into hie room, locked himself up there for a day and then name out a broken man. "He tried for a weak to get a single word with his love. He was denied addmittanee. Tim letters he wrote were returned onopened. Ho believed, I know nob why, that the young woman loved him, and would leap Rall barriers and fly with him, could he only tell her of his love ; but no opportunity was .afforded him to see her. "At last he confided to me Me scheme: — I will give acommit. Ik know she will tome. I will play her Gluck's id/deo" 1 will play her some of Pleyford's . music , and then I will ask her in triusfe to be mine. Adz Clots 1 j know he will come," "Nothing could dissuade hind 'from bis nolieme; His concert was advertised far and wide for the 22nd day of October, two yearn gone. lie sat up from half past ten tine night of the 21st" -1 gave a convulsive start tie the stranger said this, the reader ban gnome why—'t to daybreak the next this score." 1 made up my mind to comply with this request, and though the Skab stormed and swore, and finally made me pay $1,000 for- feit, I carried my point, and on a lovely June day found myself in the village of —, billed for a convert in its neat little music hall. Tbe stranger visited me at my hotel, but I declined his invitation to return the visit, and with some petulance,.I fear, begged to be excused from going to see Aronsonheim's grave, as he urged me to do. "My dear air," I said, "What in the world is the man to me ?" I gave a little shudder as I said it, . but I do not think he noticed it. He left me again repeating hie request that I would play the dead man's last composition that night. I promised to do so—"if I can"— and I ranee confess I did not like the curious way in which the gentleman looked at me at I spoke these words. And now I did a very curious thing, which Skab never understood end never will an- deratand nniesa he reads this narrative. I sent for him and ordered him to call in our advauce agent, and cancel every future engagement. My six months' contract had expired about a mouth before, but I had gone en with my performances on the same terms. CHAPTER X1. The reader can imagine the scene that followed. I do not care to dwell on it. I agreed to pay all expenses incurred and to give Skab the entire proceeds of the con- cert that night, with the understanding that I was to have my old place in the Bijou or- chestra. This last he premised with great eagerness, but in the most earnest manner begged and plead with me nob to throw away our fortunes, as he was convinced I was doing. I told him with seriousness that this was my last appearance as a pianist, and I was convinced it was to be. A strange feeling had come over me as soon as I had arrived in the town. I felt that I was call. ed there to fulfil some purpoae, and 1 was to be relieved of what was a terrible burden. No amount of fame, no spm of money, not all the applause of all the world oould have induced me to continue to suffer what I now suffered every time'I touched the piano. Tbe effect on my nerves ever since I had the interview with Aronsonheim's friend ware shocking, and I had grown irritable, wakeful, peevish and as capricious as a spoil- ed child. " Oa 1" said Skab ; the manager reassert- ing itself under his rage and disgust, " Oh 1 why didn't you give me a chance to advertiee your farewell performance ?" And with this disappointment rankling in hie soul he left me. I walked to the hall that night with a feeling of relief so great that it almost over- come the usual feeling of horror and reluc- tance with which I approached a perfor- mer cs. I found the ]hall packed and jammed, and the applause that greeted my appearance was, I think, the heartiest I ever received. The usual cold chill took hold of me as I seated myself at tbe instrument ; the phan- tom fingers grasped my own and I played on just as aerial I suppose I had executed over two thirds of the number of pieces I nem liygave and had retired to rest behind the wings when Skab came around and spoke to me. "You are not playing in your usual style," sefd he, "What's the matter V' 1 told him that I was unaware of any dif- ference. But I was oonoioua I was not exactly candid in the statement, for there was a nervousness apparent to myself and a strange tremulousness in the fingers that grasped my own. I returned on the stage and took my seat. Before I stretched my arms out to the key- board I happened to raise my eyes and saw in the box just in front of me the most gloriously beautiful woman I ever looked upon. She was not exactly a blonde, yet not a brunette, with rich chestnut hair, an exquisite complexion, and eyes the light of which no Italian sky ever equalled ; blue they might have been, for black they were not but it blue it was like the azure of the illimitable sky reflected in the unfethom- able ocean. Youb Y looking los our elf e I okf in n them. I naw thab this beautiful creature was watching me intently. Her rich red lips were parted, so that a 'gleam of her snow white teeth could be seen between them, She was leaning slightly forward, and before I,touched a key I felt that I could not with- draw my eyes from the strange light that gleamed in hers. And yet I was const out that she while Watching me was booking beyond me, over my shgulder, and if 1 could have done lgo I It� ake you.Hungry. "1 have used Paine's Celery Compound and it has hada salutary eil'eet. It invigorat. edthe system ands feel like a new,; man. It impro'lee the appetite and tacilitatea diger- tion." J. T. Corn-- Linn, OPE-LANs, Primus, S. C., Spring medicine means more now -a -days than. it did ten years" ago.. The winttrot leas -89 hasieft" : the nerves an fayggd. out. The nervesmust be strengthened, the blood purified, liver and bowels regulated. Pain's Celery Compound.— the ompound—the Spring /net/Join:a of today --does all this, as•notiling else can. .Prescribed by Physician(),.. Recommended by Drtciyiste, Endorsed byMinieterv, : Guaranteed by the iiia,}ufacturero to ba ;The Best Spring Medicine. "In the spring of 1811 was all run down. I would get up in the morning with so tired a feeling, and was so weak that I could hardly get around. I bought a bottle of Paints Celery Com- pound, and before 1 had taken it a weelr 1 flit very much better. I can cheefufy recommend it to all who need a building up andstrengthen- ing medicine." Mrs. B. A. Dow, Burlington, Vt, Paine's Celery Compound 18 a unique tonic and appetizer. `Pleasant to the taste, quick In its action, and without a injurious effect, it gives that rugged health which makes everything taste good. It cures dyspepsia and Physicians prescribe i.. $L00. Sy for $5.00. Drrugggista WRLLS. RICHARDSON t&Co., - Morcra$en. DIAMOiYD DYES Corer anything any color. ZPsver Fhill" 'Always sure! LACTATED FOOD ia'ouri0hesbabiesi,erfcetly. The Physicians' favornta A THE OFANYEXETER TIME S would stir a muscle the hands seized me with a grip this time so hard I gave an involun- tary ory—and I heard, as if in a dream, the opening strains of Schurbe's serenade. Never Have I hear 3 anything play this witching music- as I then heard it. Bat for once my sense of hearing was dimmed, tro completely bad the sense of -eight taken possession cf me, so entirely was I lost in the gaze of the magnificent eyes that looked through and beyond me, that I only knew when the music ended by the applauee of the audience. CHAPTER XII. An encore was demanded. Still watching the beautiful girl, who seemed now for the first time to be aware of my gaze, my hands touched the keys, and ere a single note was sounded I knew what was coming. "Love's Qaestion," I neard Ivans shout, and I saw the beautiful face above me redden andthen grow as white as sea foam. • Oh 1 how that music sounded. My flesh grew cold, my eyes were flooded with teals, my heart beat ageinrb my bosom as if it would burst through my flesh. On and on, in a strain whose ravishing sweetness no earthly melody ever equalled, I heerfl Aron: sonheim at last tell to the brides of bis soul the love earth had forbidden him to speak: Sho heard it. I saw'her rise from her seat, push back with a magnificent gesture the hair that rippled over her forehead and lean aerate the brass rod that oncirclefl her box. Her bosom was heaving like a tempest tossed billow; her breath, I ceuld see, ivai coming fast and short. ]ler lips were wider apart and her eyes looked as the half opened gates of Paradise must look to a condemned soul. I partook of her agitation. Swaying from side to aide I felt that the climax was ap- proaching. The discord at the awful end. ing of the written score was coming. I, too, breathed sharp and hard, but clenched my teeth in terrible fear. Would those hands clutch my throat ? these cold, clammy fingers tear me as the despairing soul felt thab music could not tell its anguish ? The last bar was reached, bub instead of the crash of discordant notes, pure and sweet as an angel's song a sublime symphony crept from the keys and made the warm blood leap into my heart. It was no questioning music any longer; it was a joyous knowledge that filled the soul and overran the senses with a silvery flood of harmony. "Thou art mined" it said ; "mine forever and ever and ever 1 No more despair, no more doubt, no more fear ! Joy, Joy, Joy 1 even as the angels feel in the presence of God. Mine 1 mine 1 mine!" My head swam ; region reeled ; but above the music I heard a voice cry. "Rudolph I' "Rudolph 1" In a mist I saw white arms stratohed out coward, but not at me, and as I saw the lovely womans head fell on her bosom and her form sink back, the arms still stretched out as if to clasp and hold a beloved one. I felt the cold fingers loosen their grip upon my hands, and with a light caress leave them forever. When I recovered from an attack of brain fever I found myself in Pittsburg; faithful• Tommy Ivens my nurse and Skab my gen- eral body guard and watcher. For a long time I asked no questions, but one day as I sat in an easy ohair on the balcony of my. room I mustered courage to ask Ivans a question. "That girl---?" He interrupted me, his faoe white and troubled. f° Dead," he replied, and from that day to this 1 have never mentioned the subject. I am still leaderof the orohenere at the Bijou Theatre, but the piano, at my to. quest, has been renioved. 1 use my bow or a handsome baton Skab has given me, I have never touched a piano since my art concert, and I do not think I ever will again.—[R. T. W. Dunn Jr„ in N. Y. Herald. The Ideal and the Practical. They were in the oonaorvator at an even- ing party, and there, amid the perfume of the rosea and posies, he had fervently de- clared his paasion. "Mr. Sampson-- George," ampson—George," she responded, with womanly tenderneaa, " my hart has boon wholly yours for months, and now," she went on shyly aki hie arm ou may take o t ing r y y a e m n to supper. .I beard it announced when you first ho an those words of love Which ave; so bliaafull chap ed all the colors of y g, my life;"-tBarper'e Bazar. JOHN LAB `IT: Indian Pale 4,1e crud XXX Brown u tout highest awards and «T1`edals for. Purity meld Excel- lence at Centennial Exhibition, Philadelphia, 1870; Canada, 1870;; ,Australia, 1877 ; +lull": '. Paris, France, 1878. TESTIMONIALS SELECTED: Prof. ll H Croft; Public Analyst, tl'or•outo, says:—" T find it to heporfectly sound containing no impuritibs or adultor atiots, and eau stronglyreoommend it as perfectly pure and a very superior malt liquor," John i3 Edwarns, Professor of Chemistry, Montreal, says; "I find them to bo remarkably sound ales, brewed from putomalt and. hops Rev. P: J. Ed. 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