the fifth string(第五根线)-第5部分
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Diotti placed the violin in position and drew the bow across the string
of joy； improvising on it。 Almost instantly the birds of the forest darted
hither and thither； caroling forth in gladsome strains。 The devil alone was
sad； and with emotion said：
‘‘It is many； many years since I have heard that string。''
Next the artist changed to the string of pity； and thoughts of the world's
sorrows came over him like a pall。
‘‘Wonderful； most wonderful！'' said the mystified violinist； ‘‘with this
instrument I can conquer the world！''
‘‘Aye； more to you than the world；'' said the tempter； ‘‘a woman's
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love。''
A woman's loveto the despairing suitor there was one and only one in
this wide； wide world； and her words； burning their way into his heart； had
made this temptation possible： ‘‘No droop… ing Clytie could be more
constant than I to him who strikes the chord that is responsive in my soul。''
Holding the violin aloft； he cried exultingly： ‘‘Henceforth thou art
mine； though death and oblivion lurk ever near thee！''
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The Fifth String
VII
Perkins； seated in his office； threw the morning paper aside。 ‘‘It's no
use；'' he said； turning to the office boy； ‘‘I don't believe they ever will find
him； dead or alive。 Whoever put up the job on Diotti was a past grand
master at that sort of thing。 The silent assassin that lurks in the shadow of
the midnight moon is an explosion of dynamite compared to the party that
made way with Diotti。 You ask； why should they kill him？ My boy； you
don't know the world。 They were jealous of his enormous hit； of our
dazzling success。 Jealousy did it。''
The ‘‘they'' of Perkins comprised rival managers； rival artists；
newspaper critics and everybody at large who would not concede that the
attractions managed by Perkins were the ‘‘greatest on earth。''
‘‘We'll never see his like again come in！'' this last in answer to a
knock。
Diotti appeared at the open door。 Perkins jumped like one shot from a
catapult； and rushing toward the silent figure in the doorway exclaimed：
‘‘Bless my soul； are you a ghost？''
‘‘A substantial one；'' said Diotti with a smile。
‘‘Are you really here？'' continued the astonished impresario； using
Diotti's arm as a pump handle and pinching him at the same time。
When they were seated Perkins plied Diotti with all manner of
questions； ‘‘How did it happen？'' ‘‘How did you escape？'' and the like； all
of which Diotti parried with monosyllabic replies； finally saying： ‘‘I was
dissatisfied with my playing and went away to study。''
‘‘Do you know that the failure to fulfill your contract has cost me at
least ten thousand dollars？'' said the shrewd manager； the commercial side
of his nature asserting itself。
‘‘All of which I will pay；'' quietly replied the artist。 ‘‘Besides I am
ready to play now； and you can announce a concert within a week if you
like。''
‘‘If I like？'' cried the hustling Perkins。 ‘‘Here； James；'' calling his
office boy； ‘‘run down to the printer's and give him this；'' making a note of
the various sizes of ‘‘paper'' he desired； ‘‘and tell Mr。 Tompkins that Diotti
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is back and will give a concert next Tuesday。 Tell Smith to prepare the
newspaper ‘ads' and notices immediately。''
In an hour Perkins had the entire machinery of his office in motion。
Within twenty…four hours New York had several versions of the
disappearance and return； all leading to one common pointthat Diotti
would give a concert the coming Tuesday evening。
The announcement of the reappearance of the Tuscan contained a line
to the effect that the violinist would play for the first time his new suitea
meditation on the emotions。
He had not seen Mildred。
As he came upon the stage that night the lights were turned low； and
naught but the shadowy outlines of player and violin were seen。 His
reception by the audience was not enthusiastic。 They evidently
remembered the disappointment caused by his unexpected disappearance；
but this unfriendly attitude soon gave way to evidences of kindlier
feelings。
Mildred was there； more beautiful than ever； and to gain her love
Diotti would have bartered his soul that moment。
The first movement of the suite was entitled ‘‘Pity；'' and the music
flowed like melodious tears。 A subdued sob rose and fell with the sadness
of the theme。
Mildred's eyes were moistened as she fixed them on the lone figure of
the player。
Now the theme of pity changed to hope； and hearts grew brighter
under the spell。 The next movement depicted joy。 As the virtuoso's fingers
darted here and there； his music seemed the very laughter of fairy voices；
the earth looked roses and sunshine； and Mildred； relaxing her position
and leaning forward in the box； with lips slightly parted； was the picture of
eager happiness。
The final movement came。 Its subject was love。 The introduction
depicted the Arcadian beauty of the trysting place； love…lit eyes sought
each other intuitively and a great peace brooded over the hearts of all。
Then followed the song of the Passionate Pilgrim：
‘‘If music and sweet poetry agree； As they must needs； the sister and
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the brother； When must the love be great 'twixt thee and me Because thou
lov'st the one； and I the other。
***
Thou lov'st to hear the sweet melodious sound That Phoebus' lute （the
queen of music） makes； And I in deep delight； am chiefly drown'd When
as himself to singing he betakes。 One god is god of both； as poets One
knight loves both； and both in thee remain。''
Grander and grander the melody rose； voicing love's triumph with
wondrous sweetness and palpitating rhythm。 Mildred； her face flushed
with excitement； a heavenly fire in her eyes and in an attitude of
supplication； reveled in the glory of a new found emotion。
As the violinist concluded his performance an oppressive silence
pervaded the house； then the audience； wild with excitement； burst into
thunders of applause。 In his dressing…room Diotti was besieged by hosts of
people； congratulating him in extravagant terms。
Mildred Wallace came； extending her hands。 He took them almost
reverently。 She looked into his eyes； and he knew he had struck the chord
responsive in her soul。
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VIII
The sun was high in the heavens when the violinist awoke。 A great
weight had been lifted from his heart； he had passed from darkness into
dawn。
A messenger brought him this note：
My Dear Signor DiottiI am at home this afternoon； and shall be
delighted to see you and return my thanks for the exquisite pleasure you
gave me last evening。 Music； such as yours； is indeed the voice of heaven。
Sincerely；
Mildred Wallace。
The messenger returned with this reply：
My Dear Miss WallaceI will call at three to…day。
Gratefully； Angelo Diotti。
He watched the hour drag from eleven to twelve； then counted the
minutes to one； and from that time until he left the hotel each second was
tabulated in his mind。 Arriving at her residence； he was ushered into the
drawing…room。 It was fragrant with the perfume of violets； and he stood
gazing at her portrait expectant of her coming。
Dressed in simple white； entrancing in her youthful freshness； she
entered； her face glowing with happiness； her eyes languorous and
expressive。 She hastened to him； offering both hands。 He held them in a
loving； tender grasp； and for a moment neither spoke。 Then she； gazing
clearly and fearlessly into his eyes； said： ‘‘My heart has found its melody！''
He； kneeling like Sir Gareth of old： ‘‘The song and the singer are
yours forever。 ''
She； bidding him arise： ‘‘And I forever yours。'' And wondering at her
boldness； she added； ‘‘I know and feel that you love meyour eyes
confirmed your love before you spoke。'' Then； convincingly and
ingenuously； ‘‘I knew you loved me the moment we first met。 Then I did
not understand what that meant to you； now I do。''
He drew her gently to him； and the motive of their happiness was
defined in
