THE WALTZ MOVEMENT.

North Otago Times, 6 September 1906, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE WALTZ MOVEMENT.

BY GUY DBXEREL,

Bernard played idly the last passage of the hunting song which he was fond of running over in idle moments, and left the piano to sit opposite Arabella, the work-table being Just botween them. It was a dreary night; Vida, pale and fairhafrcd, as she crossed the room to, take her place on the piano stool Just vacated by Bernard, stopped for a moment, drew aside the curtain and looked out. The fact is, they were all restless-Bernard and Arabella because the decision in regard to the symphony was to l)c given out at the Conservatory to-morrow, and Vida for no particular reason, except that they were so.

Arabella—plain but sweet-faced, always gentle, always tranquil—embroidered placidly on. Women and music, as we know, arc not dated; but there is, after all, little need. If Bernard was 23, she was at least 28-always solicitous, always encouraging, always firm in her faith in his future. With a grave sort of smile she glanced at him again, and he, looking up suddenly, caught the transitory inspection.

"I know what you are thinking," he said, slightly abashed, and perhaps vexed. "You are thinking that I cannot sit still, Well, ft is true, but how could you expect me? I feel that my symphony will not win the prize at the Conservatory tomorrow, and yet lam just as anxious- as if I had a chance. The thing is crude-it is>ugly-it is puerile."

Vida suddenly played a few bars of a very pretty wallz movement; it was singularly original and joyous, with a plaintiff undercurrent, They listened, surp-iscd. It was from the symphony. "I did not know you had practiced it, Vida," exclaimed Bernard. "This"is only by ear," she explained, "Sho is cleverer than you thought" said Arabella,

"Don't say clover," returned Bernard, "It moans mediocrity, for everybody is clover nowadays. But I acknowledge that I did, not imagino I had a dlsciplo." "Two humblo admirers who will be very proud of you one day," answered' Arabella. "Even If the symphony should fall you will be successful In the end. It is only an affair of patience, I give myself no concern." "Except, of course, dear Arabella, that if I win I must go away. The condition, as'you know, is that the successful competitor is to spend two years in Europe to study. I hope you will see me leave with regretboth of you." The waltz had stopped. Vida sat with ono hand idly on the keys,, and the other pushing back her hair, which was always tangled at the temples. "He must not compel- me to say that, must he Vida ?"- said the older woman:

She had been everything to Bernard for him In his childhood, although he was, afte- all, but a lew years younger than herself educated him, had his musical talent developed, cherished him In- all jthe ways of life. His dream and hope of the : success of. the symphony In the competition was nothing to hers. She had prayed for it night and morning in secret hours.'. If he won Ihb prize It meant a separation, the anguish of tho thought of which :to hor h 9 HUlo wwM;

smiled' lightly- while he leaned over and talked to her in. " impassioned murmurs, and Vida's slender fingers strayed over the keys in careless and dreamy improvisations. • . Bernard and Arabella were among: the earliest at the Institute next day. The expectant crowd of pupils, their parents and friends, soon filled the seats. Musicians and idly curious and tho reporters of the newspapers had nocked in. There was a hush when tho proceedings opened, and the director, Heinrich Daath, with his large, enthusiastic eyes and his flowing iron-gray hair, came forward, holding a paper in his hand. He road somewhat rapidly the preliminary explaining the plan upon which the prize was to be given out. Then he said tho prize for tho best musical composition had been awarded to. Bernard Dcnison. There was loud applause and every one looked round. Where was he? Ho was sitting by j Arabella, nearly stupefied, his hand in hers, and she smiling through two great tears. ■ . . .* ■ They were congratulated,as they I wont out. The symphony was to be | performed in public next Saturday afternoon. Thanking everybody they pushed through the crowd, and going up Charles street, took the car uptown. Bernard stood on tho platform to smoke a cigarette-he must do it to contain himself. Arabella sat inside and found herself next to Madame Fraeht, teacher of singing and former member of tho opera. Arabella told her the news-think of it-so young a man, the composer of a perfectly original symphony. "1 congratulate . you, my dear 1 know Mr, Daath was happy to give it to him, for he is one gifted and kind-hearted man, though nervous sometimes, you understand. He and his wife are so much attached, perhaps tho more because they have no children. You might think it strange too, for the wife is 10 years older than the husband. She made himhe owes everything, to her. He lias never forgitleii the debt." Arabella's heart gave a little leap: she was a:ir.id that her face might betray her, Hot Madame Prncht saw nothing; she went on talking of Mr. Danlh, who was so line a man. At home Vida received the news very calmly. She always knew il would bo so, she said, and in proof of her intruition she had got ready a special dinnor to which all throe sat down. Thoy were intense days, those following for Bernard did not know How it would prove with the symphony in the performance. He did not mind the public; but his thoughts were of the musicians; and the critics. No matter how much morit there was >n his work they would treat it with derision, for how could so yount; !'. man possibly write a symphony ? ■ Ii was to be taken no more seriou..... than a young poet's first tragedy. Saturday 'came, and with it :> groat crowd, quite filling the concert room of tho Institute. Bernard h;\'.' thought he was to bo asked to dire • but it was not the case. Pioiessor Daath preferred to direct himself—, great compliment, from this gW.K composer, who had himself writl-v symphonies, oratorios, and even operas. Bernard' sat between the two gi>'ls in a quiet corner of tho hall when they would bo least observed. As I lie director waved his wand and the composition opened ho felt his heari tighten and a vertigo in his .-brain. Tho opening was low ami soft, and as olio instrument followed Mother into the arena-violins, hums, :'-,tes and. what not—and the melody .•.•■•■• led and deepened there couli («. i.: mistaking the pleasure of th« ami ience. It was over—a prodigious success. They were on their way liomew:;td, and had decided to walk a iihnrt distance before' taking the car, and si, chatting radiantly and tniini;;l:;:tly, they went that memorable wenir.i, with tho twilight falling, !hi> cow.; of promenaders moving in tb»i erisr., winter air through Washingr.") I'larc Square and the lights and the l.rdlianl people. Tho whole world sained happy. At homo at last I The ew-iny meal was being prepared, > libera sat in her old place in t!.o l.'tlo back sitting room, whilo Vida, wit.!-. Bernard at her side in the parlour, took her scat at tho piano and pla,.-

Ed the wallz measure which she hod learned by car. After about li) mm utes Bernard stole over to where Arabella was 'sitting, and, bending over her, with bis hand on he shoulder, he whispered: "How much I owe you, dea" Arabella ! Everything in my life ! All has come through you." • She raised her own hand and laid it softly in his. "There is only one thing more." She did not reply. "But one thing more, and although I owe you so much, you will not refuse. Vida and I have just been talking of it. Hark to that waltz! How pretty it sounds under her delicate touch I" | It was the waltz of the symphony, j with its gay and brilliant melody, | and the vague and mysterious nwrnuirings of pain underneath. Both [ listened to the enchanting measure. : Never had it seemed to exercise so.] potent a spell.

"What I am going to ask," he resumed, "can bo no surprise. You must have seen—must have discerned. Vida has promised to be my wife and we ask your consent." Arabella uttered a faint cry—her face was pale-hc thought she was about to faint. But in a moment [she smiled. "Ah ! 1 see," he said, "the joy was too much for you. You are bettor, arc you not ? Let me call Vida'" He went quickly and summoned her, and the two stood by Arabella's side, perfectly happy. "You are better, dear Arabella ?" ho asked, anxiously. "Better—yes I" she answered, "The joy has been too much for mo,"