THE FIFTH STRING
himself. The terrible power of the instrument dawned upon him in all its force. Often he had played on the strings telling of pity, hope, love and joy, but now, for the first time, he realized what that fifth string meant.
"I must give it back to its owner."
"If you do you can never regain it," whispered a voice within.
"I do not need it," said the violinist, almost audibly.
"Perhaps not," said the voice, "but if her love should wane how would you rekindle it? Without the violin you would be helpless."
"Is it not possible that, in this old man's death, all its fatal power has been expended?"
He went to the table and took the instrument from its place. "You won her for me; you have brought happiness and sunshine into my life. No! No!
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