The Fifth String Read online

  IX

  Old Sanders as boy and man had been in the employ of the banking andbrokerage firm of Wallace Brothers for two generations. The firmgradually had advanced his position until now he was confidentialadviser and general manager, besides having an interest in the profitsof the business.

  He enjoyed the friendship of Mr. Wallace, and had been a constantvisitor at his house from the first days of that gentleman's marriedlife. He himself was alone in the world, a confirmed bachelor. He hadseen Mildred creep from babyhood into childhood, and bud from girlhoodto womanhood. To Mildred he was one of that numerous army of brevetrelations known as "gran-pop," "pop," or "uncle." To her he was UncleSanders.

  If the old man had one touch of human nature in him it was a solicitudefor Mildred's future--an authority arrogated to himself--to see thatshe married the right man; but even that was directed to her materialgain in this world's goods, and not to any sentimental considerationfor her happiness. He flattered himself that by timely suggestion hehad "stumped" at least half a dozen would-be candidates for Mildred'shand. He pooh-poohed love as a necessity for marital felicity, andwould enforce his argument by quoting from the bard:

  "All lovers swear more performance than they are able, and yet reservean ability that they never perform; vowing more than the perfection often, and discharging less than the tenth part of one."

  "You can get at a man's income," he would say, "but not at his heart.Love without money won't travel as far as money without love," and manymarried people whose bills were overdue wondered if the old fellow wasnot right.

  He was cold-blooded and generally disliked by the men under him. Themore evil-minded gossips in the bank said he was in league with "OldNick." That, of course, was absurd, for it does not necessarily follow,because a man suggests a means looking to an end, disreputable thoughit be, that he has Mephistopheles for a silent partner. Theconservative element among the employees would not openly venture sofar, but rather thought if his satanic majesty and old Sanders ran arace, the former would come in a bad second, if he were not distancedaltogether.

  The old man always reached the office at nine. Mr. Wallace usuallyarrived a half hour later, seldom earlier, which was so well understoodby Sanders that he was greatly surprised when he walked into thepresident's office, the morning after that gentleman had attendedDiotti's concert, to find the head of the firm already there andapparently waiting for him.

  "Sanders," said the banker, "I want your advice on a matter of greatimportance and concern to me."

  Sanders came across the room and stood beside the desk.

  "Briefly as possible, I am much exercised about my daughter."

  The old man moved up a chair and buried himself in it. Pressing hiselbows tightly against his sides, he drew his neck in, and with thetips of his right hand fingers consorted and coquetted with their likeon the opposite hand; then he simply asked, "Who is the man?"

  "He is the violinist who has created such a sensation here, AngeloDiotti."

  "Yes, I've seen the name in print," returned the old man.

  "He has bewitched Mildred. I never have seen her show the leastinterest in a man before. She never has appeared to me as animpressionable girl or one that could easily be won."

  "That is very true," ejaculated Sanders; "she always seemed tractableand open to reason in all questions of love and courting. I can recallseveral instances where I have set her right by my estimation of men,and invariably she has accepted my views."

  "And mine until now," said the father, and then he recounted hisexperience of the night before. "I had hoped she would not fall inlove, but be a prop and comfort to me now that I am alone. I amdismayed at the prospect before me."

  Then the old man mused: "In the chrysalis state of girlhood, a parentarranges all the details of his daughter's future; when and whom sheshall marry. 'I shall not allow her to fall in love until she istwenty-three,' says the fond parent. 'I shall not allow her to marryuntil she is twenty-six,' says the fond parent. 'The man she marrieswill be the one I approve of, and then she will live happy ever after,'concludes the fond parent."

  Deluded parent! false prophet! The anarchist, Love, steps in anddisdains all laws, rules and regulations. When finally the fatherconfronts the defying daughter, she calmly says, "Well, what are yougoing to do about it?" And then tears, forgiveness, completecapitulation, and, sometimes, she and her husband live happily everafterwards.

  "We must find some means to end this attachment. A union between amusician and my daughter would be most mortifying to me. Some plan mustbe devised to separate them, but she must not know of it, for she isimpatient of restraint and will not brook opposition."

  "Are you confident she really loves this violinist?"

  "She confessed as much to me," said the perturbed banker.

  Old Sanders tapped with both hands on his shining cranium and asked,"Are you confident he loves her?"

  "No. Even if he does not, he no doubt makes the pretense, and shebelieves him. A man who fiddles for money is not likely to ignore anopportunity to angle for the same commodity," and the banker, with alook of scorn on his face, threw himself back into the chair.

  "Does she know that you do not approve of this man?"

  "I told her that I desired the musician's visits to cease."

  "And her answer?"

  "She said she would obey me if I could name one reasonable objection tothe man, and then, with an air of absolute confidence in theimpossibility of such a contingency, added, 'But you can not.'"

  "Yes, but you must," said Sanders. "Mildred is strangely constituted.If she loves this man, her love can be more deadly to the choice of herheart than her hate to one she abhors. The impatience of restraint youspeak of and her very inability to brook opposition can be turned togood account now." And old Sanders again tapped in the rhythm of adirge on his parchment-bound cranium.

  "Your plan?" eagerly asked the father, whose confidence in hissecretary was absolute.

  "I would like to study them together. Your position will be strongerwith Mildred if you show no open opposition to the man or hisaspirations; bring us together at your house some evening, and if I cannot enter a wedge of discontent, then they are not as others."

  * * *

  Mildred was delighted when her father told her on his return in theevening that he was anxious to meet Signor Diotti, and suggested adinner party within a few days. He said he would invite Mr. Sanders, asthat gentleman, no doubt, would consider it a great privilege to meetthe famous musician. Mildred immediately sent an invitation to Diotti,adding a request that he bring his violin and play for Uncle Sanders,as the latter had found it impossible to attend his concerts during theseason, yet was fond of music, especially violin music.