Louis. At one of these, he had become infatuated with the daughter of
a railroad magnate who counted his wealth by millions. A poor
violinist, he knew it was useless to ask her father for his
daughter's hand. The young lady's mother was dead. The father died
suddenly of apoplexy, and Miss Edith Winser came into possession of
the millions. Then he had spoken and been accepted. Conscious that
her husband, talented as he was, would not be accepted, without a
hard struggle, by the upper class, they decided to live in Europe.
He had found a deserted chateau on the borders of Lake Maggiore.
Money bought it, and money had transformed it into an earthly
Paradise. The building, of white marble, was adapted for classic
treatment, and Greek and Roman art were symbolized therein.
The chateau contained a large music room and a miniature theatre in
which Mr. Wallingford's musical compositions and operas were
performed.
"I have just come from Paris," said Mr. Wallingford, "where I have
made arrangements for six concerts by my orchestra which will play
many of my own pieces. Can you not be in Paris in a month and hear
them?"
"Tell him your story," whispered Tom to Quincy, and he did so.
Mr. Wallingford was deeply interested.
"If you find both your father and mother, they deserve another
honeymoon. Bring them to Vertano and in the joys of the present we
will make them forget the sorrows of the past.
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