Evening star., 1909-07-18
Music a la Carte
Continued from page 4

The neat runabout was most attractive to
his eye, and he took his seat with a gratef,..
feeling of relief, which became positive pleas
when he found that the daughter of the
house had suddenly decided to act as his chauf-
feur. For an hour he gave himself up to COM
plete enjoyment of his outing. Then he
tered the fateful mansion again, to be met by
his imperturbable hostess with two additional
musical items in her hand
" You may play for your ride" she said
coldly, the Perpetuum Mobile by Ries.
notice. she continued. that my daughter
took 1T upon herself to favor you with her COM
pany. That | shall have to charge extra. The
lntermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana will be
adequate"
The professor bowed and silently went to his
room, with no hint of the rage that was strug-
Cling within him.
THE dinner that evening perfect night
mare to him. The tempting vlandS ap-
peared usual. but he could not enjoy them.
Frequently he choked a mouthfu half
swallowed. as the thought suddenly struck
him, What kind of music am | eating now. :
The dainty reedbrds toast seemed to fl ,a-
away to the gliding measures of SaInt-Saens
Swan. The delicious roast beef inspired
more pleasant sensations than the notes Of
Haydn's OK Minuet. Then the bread and but
ter savored of solid, nourishing Beethoven
sonatas, while the wine had an unmist takable
flavor of Cesar Franck. Altogether the pro-
feSsor most miserable But when the audi
ence assembled in the music room. he per-
formed again as eXquisitely as before.
He had finished playing for his afternoon d-
version and the strain beginning to tell
At the end of the first selection on his dinner
program, the fair accompaniSt turned IN dis
tress and said gently, Don't YOU think your
violin just bit out of tune2"
Don't you think that the oysters were Just
a bit out OF season?' he answered sharply.
Then. seeing the panied expression on her face.
he suffered agonies of modification.
He began again, this time bending all his
efforts to his music and dragging his very soul
from its depths by sheer force of will The
soup was ravishinglv interpreted, the fish fairly
qulvcred with suppressed spirit. the entree was
exquisite Words cannot describe the power,
the depth. the virility, that accompanied the
meats and vegetables, the hidden anguish that
marked the salad. the crackers. the cheese.
Finally the last faint. sweet strains of the des-
sert had passed away. The professor gently
put down his violin.
But again the hostess confronted him. 81 be-
- lieve YOU have forgotten the coffee" she
remarked calmly. You had cup did you
not,
He nodded his assent YEARLY.
" PLAY that same little humor-humorouS
whatever 1t was-that we had for breakfast.
she suggested
The Humoreske," he answered, smiling
family
He picked up his violin once more. with
a sigh. The limit of endurance had been
reached The dainty melody was forced out
drop by drop. His cup was almost full. But
in the very midst of those sweet vibrant tones
that rise again and again near the end of
compos'-ian the professor stopped abruptly
He turne,. and put his violin carefully into its
case. His accompanist looked at him in sur
prise. The hostess came bustling up.
May ask for an explanation of this
duct'" she said mperiousv
Madam will pardon me if take the extreme
liberty of reminding her that took my coffee
this evening without sugar, and with a courtly
bow the professor stalked slowly from the room