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Reed, Myrtle, 1874-1911

"Old Rose and Silver"

I'll take her into town to the theatre some
night, and to supper afterward, in the most brilliantly lighted place I
can find."
"That's very nice of you," responded Rose, with a look of friendly
appreciation. "I know she would enjoy the bright lights."
"We all do, in certain moods," he said. "Are you ready now?"
The voice of the violin rose to heights of ecstasy, sustained by full
chords in the accompaniment. Mingled with the joy of it, like a breath
of sadness and longing, was a theme in minor, full of question and
heartbreak; of appeal that was almost prayer. And over it all, as
always, hovering like some far light, was the call to which Rose
answered. Dumbly, she knew that she must always answer it, though she
were dead and the violin itself mingled with her dust.
Madame Bernard, still seated by the fire, stirred uneasily. Something
had come into her house that vaguely troubled her, because she had no
part in it. The air throbbed with something vital, keen, alive; the room
trembled as from invisible wings imprisoned.
Old dreams and memories came back with a rush, and the little old lady
sitting in the half light looked strangely broken and frail.


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