to herself with a laugh.

Beverly Cruger heard that laugh as he came into the room, and he made
up his mind that Herr Von Barwig was one of those highly entertaining
foreigners who appeal to the feminine mind with their superficial
brilliancy and capture all before them.

"Herr Von Barwig, this is Mr. Beverly Cruger," broke in Helene, and Mr.
Cruger was formally introduced to his rival.

Beverly could hardly repress a smile as his eyes fell on the slim
figure of the poor, grey-headed, homely old artist. Was this the noble
young foreigner, the handsome German music master he had pictured to
himself? Was this Helene's romance?

"Gott in Himmel, what a squeeze he gives the hand!" thought Von Barwig,
as he tried to release his injured digits from the vice that held them.

"I am so glad to see you, Herr Von Barwig," said Beverly; and he meant
it.

"Yes, and I, too," groaned Von Barwig as he rubbed his fingers. "A
fine fellow," he thought. "Such a welcome as that must come from the
heart. But ach Gott, what a muscle! It's like iron!"

Helene was surprised. Beverly Cruger was far and away the most
undemonstrative man of her acquaintance, and his cordial greeting of
her old music master went straight to her heart. "He likes him
because--perhaps, because I do," she thought.

"Do you know you remind me very much of a splendid bust of Beethoven I
saw in the British Museum? Upon my word you do!"

Von Barwig bowed.

"Oh, I think Mozart rather than Beethoven," suggested Helene. "He's
not stern enough for Beethoven."

Again Von Barwig bowed.

Beverly Cruger shook his head. "Beethoven," he said, looking at Von
Barwig critically. "Still--well--I'm not sure, perhaps----"

"Mozart," insisted Helene.

"Are you sure you don't mean Liszt? We really do look alike!" Von
Barwig said, with a twinkle in his eye. Then he added, "Ah, you are
very kind to me, very kind! Dear me, I am afraid you spoil me. Those
are the giants, the leaders of a great art. I am the most humble of
all its followers. Even to resemble them is in itself a great honour."

Helene could never quite clearly remember how or when Von Barwig took
his leave that memorable afternoon, but when he came on the following
day to give his lesson she held both his hands in hers.

"You shall be the first one to hear the news," she said almost in a
whisper. "I'm so happy, so very, very happy!" He looked at her, and
understood.

"Herr Cruger?" he as