The Washington herald., 1918-02-17

It had been something OF a surprise
to him that she had developed into
SO great an artist.
After hearing her Monday evening
he pronounced her splendid. Mary
Garden Is not only 30 pleasant to hear.
but is SO easy to look at. She knows
how to dress. for one thing. So often
concert singers do not, and It makes
a great deal Of difference to the audi
ences. Anna Case always Is gowned
just right, and usually Melba, when
they sing in concerts. Miss Gardens
gown was of cloth Of gold and was
made on old fashioned, latest style
lines, with a long, tight skirt, cut on
real princess lines, curved in and snug
ly fitting around the waist. you know.
and slit up the middle OF the front.
In fact, her skirt was so tight that
she could hardly keep up with Col.
Murray's long strides, as he took her
back and forth up the aisle. on his
arm, between her numbers. 1t is sus-
pected that many there were envious
OF Col Mouray that evening, for he
not only had the privilege OF having
that fascinating young lady hanging
on his arm a great part OF the even
ing, but was the object Of her delight
full smiles and much OF her attentions.
Some thought she was to be envied,
too, for Col. Murray Is attractive him
self.
To return to Miss Gardens gown.
1t was made with a short-waisted
bodice from which hung a graceful
oyerskirt of thin gold lace. A hand
some and long string OF pearls hung
below her waist line and two gor-
geous pearl earrings, pendant style,
just peeped from under her hair.
which was arranged in becoming
fashion, almost wrapped loosely about
her shapely head. She seemed to be
thoroughly enjoying herself. Ger
tainly those who heard her thorough
Iy enjoyed themselves. And Casals;
he truly Is a wonder! He is undoubt-
edly the greatest of his time. The
name great soul and fine character
are expressed in his playing. He
will never play without being in
vited and will not allow his man
ayers to seek an engagement for
him under any circumstances. New
ertheless he has made so much money
that he was about to retire when
the war broke out and cut off much
Of his income, as his money was in
vested in Turkish loans and such
things that are valueless because of
the conflict. But to return to the
little dinner. Casals also told about
the wonderful cello that Mrs. Gard
ner had given him-one Of the world
prizes in its line-Strad, or a Gre
mona Of they made violoncellos as
well as violins) or something of the
sort, and dating back a few CEN
turtles. Someone had the temerity to
ask him which Mrs. Gardner was
that, Mr.. Casals?' Whereupon the
little artist drew himself up and
responded, There IS but one Mrs.
Gardnerr Mrs. Jack would have
loved it.
He doesn't use that cello. That one
he does use, however, is only a degree
less wonderful; Is also couple of hun
dred years old, and worth about $50, 900.
Oh, and his bow. There's a Jewel in
the end of that-sapphire-w
Queen Marie Christina Of Spain,
mother Of the present King, and dur
ing his long minority regent of the
kingdom-had dug out of its setting in
a bracelet for him. He is a great IA
vorite Of hers. In fact, she made
herself responsible for his musical
education, and pensioned his parents
while he was getting it, and he lived
for a number of yearse at the palace.
When. finally, he started out to make
the fortune for which her kindness
had equipped him; she wished to give
him something personal as a souvenir
something that he could always have
with him-and thought of no better
way than to take that Jewel that she
often wore from its setting and have
it put into that bow Of his.
Casals can not only accomplish won
ders on both the cello and the piano,
but is a composer of real ability, He
told the other evening of a compost
ton Of his that he wrote in Paris and
never knew just what had become of
1t. But the other day some man in
Baltimore sent 1t to him; the original
manuscript, saying he. the writer,
thought perhaps he, Casals, would like
to have 1t. Casals Is still wondering
how that music ever got to Baltimore
from Paris. Like everyone else, Casals
pronounced Mrs. Gaff to be charming,
delightful.
Emil Polak, the accompanist at the
concert. is worthy of mention also, as
he has real ability. He IL Miss Car
den's accompanist but Casals uses