Books › The Red Book 1908-02: Vol 10 Iss 4, 1908 › scan 45
Scan 45
The Red Book 1908-02: Vol 10 Iss 4, 1908
46 lines. Read by computer on 17 September 2026. Printed page 478. See the scan on archive.org.
1"Theodora's work!" sighed her father. "You're like all the rest, Carlton. Year in and year out—Theodora's work!"
3With such abruptness had Galbraith's voice and manner changed that Stephen was dumbfounded.
5"I was thinking it was like the country, here under the trees," went on Moses. "I was a farmer when I married Theo's mother, Carlton. She was a strolling music-teacher, and dreadful poor, or she wouldn't ever have took up with me, I expect. And her father, I've heard, was a great foreign fiddler. A bad proposition—went to the dogs—but a great fiddler in his time. That's where my Theo gets her faculty—from her grandpa. Why, when she was seven years old she showed signs of it! I thought my wife would have died of joy. She died soon enough, Lord knows, leaving me alone with Theo. My, it would have pleased her mother to see where Theo's got to to-day! And I've helped a mite, to put her there. I've done the best I knew for Theo, for mother's sake."
7Carlton stirred uncomfortably while the rumbling of a passing truck made Galbraith pause.
9"Yes, sir, I did the little best I knew," resumed Moses. "I sold the old place—the place where I was born, up in the Jersey hills—for to give Theo music-schooling. When she began to make a name, I boosted in what ways I could think of. Folks laugh at me, I know, and I don't blame 'em—but there, I'm only trying for to help my girl. And all the while I'm thinking how good it would be back on the old farm, and Theo maybe married to a real good man, and kids romping in the orchard of an evening."
11He paused again, staring at the trees.
13"Mr. Galbraith," faltered Stephen, "if your daughter knew that this sort of life is repugnant to you—she worships you, and if she only knew—"
15"I'd sooner cut my throat than tell her," broke in Galbraith vehemently. "Because why? I've nursed this craze of hers ever since she was knee high. It's too late now. I haven't got a daughter now—just a fiddle." He waved his hand. "Nobody talks to me about Theo—only about her fiddling—you and the others."
17"I love her," said Carlton. Galbraith's outstretched hand was paralyzed.
19"I love her," reiterated Carlton. "I want her for my wife."
21The heavy swinging-doors of the building opposite gave a faint thud. A black-bearded Italian descended the steps, ushering another man obsequiously to the carriage.
23They were driven off.
25"Rugini!" whispered Carlton. "Rugini—with the contracts that take Theodora to Europe!" He turned to Galbraith. "I ask your forgiveness," he said. "I have misjudged you."
27Moses had not quite recovered from his surprise at Stephen's avowal.
29"I'm glad you love my girl," he declared simply. "I always liked you fine. Does—does she know, Carlton?"
31"How dare I ask her, Mr. Galbraith? She belongs to her violin—and to that man in the cab. He has her promise now, written and sealed. He will make entire Europe applaud her. What chance have you and I?"
33A sheepish grin stole slowly over Galbraith's honest features.
35"I passed you a bluff about falling down to-night," said he. "Well, I allowed to pass the same bluff to Theo. That Europe idea all of a sudden made me a lunatic, I guess. I didn't dare explain to Theo, but I thought I'd work a little game."
37He stooped and pulled out a violin-case from its concealment beneath the bench.
39"And she hasn't had her fiddle up there," continued Moses triumphantly, "and any other fiddle is of no more use to her than a hay-rake!"
41Carlton's incredulous eyes followed the old man's finger as he pointed to a split in the case.
43"I did that, batting it against a tree," Galbraith said. "I reckon I'll finish the job;" and he brought both of his broad heels fiercely down on the frail woodwork.
45Arm in arm, the two conspirators crossed the street, moving laboriously because of Galbraith's pitiful limp.
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