From a Swedish Homestead

ittle meadow on the outskirts of the town. It was a rather desolate and dismal-looking house, but was rendered less so by the Virginia-creepers which grew there

of distinguished appearance. His hair was brushed back from his forehead; it curled prettily, and a lock was

sofa and comfortable chairs, a large writing-t

was a totally different-looking man. He was a short, broad-shouldered fellow, sq

ave come to have a se

unpleasant hap

ou it concerns.' He sat silent for a while, and looked

ne, then,' su

to laugh at his f

t is hardly my place. You understand? I can't help thinking you will say to yourself: "There's Gustaf

agine I think anything of the kind. My

anners, as if that could help him out of his difficulty. 'When I think of the difference there is between your family and mine, I feel as if I ough

t him with a

ak out and have don

four terms you have been at the University. They say you don't do anything but play on the violin the whole day; and that I can

hair. Alin grew more and more uncomfortable

one. If he takes his exam., good; if he does not take his exam., what does it matter? for in any case you will never be anything but

y the same wall of distinction which in Alin's eyes had

ly. 'The Squire knew that very well, and that was why it was arranged before his death that you should study. You

a little irritably, 'that the iron

d why your mother has kept it a secret from you. But, of course, she has the sole control of the estate, so she need not ask your advice about anything. Everybody at home knows that she is hard up. They say she drives about borrowin

twice up and down the floor.

ng at, Alin? Do you want to make

in said. 'But you can understand that things must come to an end when it is a case of al

at dow

the matter,' he said. 'I am grateful to you, Alin; but you h

eerful and pleasant for you when you are at home in the vacations. And in the meantime you are here doing nothing, because you don't know there is trouble coming. I could not stand

meditated. Then he rose and gave Al

are speaking the truth, even if

ully shoo

work no harm is done. With your brains, you

aightene

in,' he said; 'I am g

e door, but hesitated. Before

ain became embarrassed. 'I want you to lend me your

ou my v

to no purpose. You will begin to play as soon as I am out of the room. You are so accustomed to it now you cannot resi

eared un

ness, you kn

been your own master here in Upsala you have done nothing else but play. You live here in the outskirts of the to

playing, but now Munkhyttan is at stake; I

ned, and continued t

'If I want to play, I need not go m

is your old Italian violin which is the greatest danger for you. And besides, I would sugge

he would not stand anything so unreason

rew cr

t it concerns more than Munkhyttan. I saw a young girl at the Promotion Ball in the spring who, people said, was engaged to you. I don't dance, you know, but I l

hy

d not have to spend her whole life waiting for one who never came. She should not sit and wither whilst waiting

de's glance had rested

cée. It moved him deeply that Alin under these circumstances tried to save

desperately for a whole hour,

four years before he could be finished, and who could gu

every tree, stood clearly before him. He felt he could not part with any of it if he were to be

s temples as if in a fever. And then he grew quite beside himself

violin! A man like I must feel the bow between his fingers in sorrow and in joy. I must do som

so angry with Alin, who had thought of this absurd plan, th

lin, for that was just what he needed. His blood rush

n old blind man. He played out of tune and without expression, but Hede was so overcome by hearin

the help of the creepers. He had no compunction at leaving his work. H

now, when he asked the old blind man to lend him his violin. He stood t

She looked at him, as if she must have eyes for them both. The glance from her big eyes was so steady that Hede thought he could feel where it struck him. It b

uch close scrutiny. He saw clearly that h

one had the impression when she smiled that it was the first and only time she had ever looked happy; and no

rom "Freischütz,"

r of fact, it was all the same to him what he played, if he could only have a bow in his hand. That

help to a poor blind man. I am the light and the colour and the brightness in

depression that had cowed

can fight and strive; you can hold fast that which tries

crowd of children and people from the street, who had come into the yard to listen to the music. It appeared, however, tha

Hede could not help thinking that he looked a devil of a fellow with his high chest and long moustaches. And beside him st

n to dance on a small carpet. And Hede saw that during all the equilibristic tricks they now performed the woman stood almost still, whilst her husband d

re was happiness in fighting and overcoming. It almost deemed him happy because everything was at stake for h

; they left off kissing their hands to the spectators; the acrobat

and rushed into an old 'Nixie Polka,' one which generally

stonishment, and at last they could resist no longer. They sprang into each o

d in a small circle; they hardly went outside the carpet, and their faces beamed with joy an

The serious little companion of the blind man smi

have at his disposal. Any moment he liked he could take possession of his kingdom. Only a couple of years' study

llow; it lay before him clear and smooth. He said to himself: 'I will-I will become a musician! I mus

performed. He and his wife were old circus people. Mrs. Blomgren in former days had been called Miss Viola, and had performed on horseback; and although they

ir profession appealed to him. He was simply testing himself. 'I want to find out whether there is the proper stuff for an artist in

bare mantle around him, and Mrs. Blomgren enveloped herself in a

he directeur had given Mrs. Blomgren her dismissal under the pretence that she was getting too stout. Mr. Blomgren had not been dismissed:

e could still continue to perform. During the winter, when it was too cold to give performances in the street, they

Art always. It was well worth being faithful to Art, even unto death. Always a

hich become like symbols, like signs, which one must obey. There must be some meaning in what had now happe

man. Had he ever before seen such eyes? Did he not think that such eyes must mea

tle pale girl. Yes, she had eyes like s

at He has some reason for letting such an artist as Mr. Blomgren perform in the stre

Blomgren; 'she has not the slightest

, but simply for the benefit of the young girl. She wa

to sew, but not to stand on her head. Her smile makes people quite mad about her,' Mr. Blomgren continued. 'Simply on account of her smile she has had many offers from families wishful to adopt her. She cou

is more than one who has been lucky enough to create a star and obtain immense salaries for her. But Mr. Blomgren and I have never thought of the money; we have only tho

We could, no doubt, have got a previous member of a Hofkapell if we had wished. Bu

she will not allow us to make

fering and patience. He could see that she knew that anyone who cou

mgren for wishing to hand her over to the great, cruel public, who would love and applaud her for a time, but when she grew old and worn out, they would let her trudge along the streets in rain and cold. No; he or s

rrible to be thrust out into the world, to be severed from the quiet home-life. He saw that the great, star-like eyes of the

gain try and persuade the little girl to become an artist. She should be allowed to lead the life she wished. He had tou

t meaning in his adventure. After all, it had meant nothing more than that he