s 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 point--that 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
suite--a 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 the brother,
Then 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 feign,
One knight loves both, and both in thee remain._"

[Illustration: He took her