The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-03-17


fidelity. Then he wrote to Gina tell
ing her he planned to run down to
Vienna on a holiday.
Her reply was cordial. When
Leon preached the subject to Han
cock the latter cooked an eye and
shrugged shoulder. you'll be
right back, 1 SUPPOSE
They Meet Again.
ooh yes. l want to have a talk
with Eydler thereon technique"
IL see," said Hancock, knowing
no one could teach the young man
anything in that direction.
So Leon ran down to Vienna.
Gina met him at the station and
brought him to the pension where
she resided with other Americans
and Britons, all studying music
and art in the most lively capital
in Europe.
Gina refrained from revealing
Icons identity to her fellow stu.
dents. The name Mr.. Kantor meant
nothing in particular. And the two
young people took occasion to i'm
prove the lovely autumn days with
walks and drives, each finding in
the company Of the other a spirit OF
understanding.
Leon had left his violin under
lock and key in his Berlin quarters;
for the first time since he was ten
he was experiencing the sensation
OF delightful idleness. Two weeks
slipped away and Hancock sent a
telegram. 1t was merely inquisi-
tive: How about that techniaue?"
The young man showed it to Gina.
Her smile treasured him more than
her words: We've been loafing for
a fortnight" she said prosaically.
land now it's work again.
Leon said goodbye to her at the
door of the pension after lecture
playfully delivered on the claims
of art; Gina had felt the influence
Of the free days and took this way
to steel herself against an on
slaught on her life work.
Yet she felt their parting more
keenly than the young man. She
wrote to Leon that evening and
then. remembering the good ad-
vice Of Thackeray, tore up her let
ter. Leon sent her a telegram OF
thanks and she settled back to her
scales wondering why nature in
sisted that one thing, to be done
well, must take an undivided at
tention.
again ~
Hancock had made arrangements
for a concert in the capital OF Prus-
STA, and Leon found himself in har-
ness again. After the event he was
lionized as usual and invited TO
dine with princes and grand dukes.
Comfortable German girls made
sleeps eyes at him, and men "a
nous in letters and science called
To ~ all
but Hancock insisted it was good
business. 1.-THE more Kings and
Queens and Dukes ct cetera you
can swing around the better the ad-
vertising," he declared with true
Yankee perspicacity.
He had visions of posters reading,
HAS played before all the crowned
heads of Europe" staring from the
walls of the subway in little old
New York.
They'll eat It up" he informed
Leon. You know how it is" Han
cock and Leon were far from realiz-
ing that fate was daily cutting
short the days of kings and queens.
They made round of the smaller
cities, receiving laudations where
ever they went Leon acquired a
collection of minor decorations that
would have made jewelry shop
look interesting.
They drifted toward Italy with
the coming of colder weather: the
land of Paganini had a subtle at
traction for Leon: he revelled in
its rich memories.
II can play better here he told
Hancock. Look at the sky"
santa Barbara's got it beat"
was Hafcock's comment
Leon smiled: he was living in the
atmosphere of Cellini and Raphael
and Angelo.
They haven't, got anything on
u.s. said Hancock. why, before
these fellows turned a hair the big
trees UP in Mariposa were a couple
OF thousand years old"
Leon settled down in the Grand
Hotel and walked reverently to the
Coliseum: Hancock looked ct the
crumbling pile and lamented the
loss OF a perfectly good baseball
diamond.
1t was after benefit perform
ance at which Leon had played by
request OF the American consul
general that Hancock received for
nal notice that the King and Queen
OF Italy would be pleased IL the
young American would appear be.
fore them.
He took II as rather personal
compliment, without in the least
minimizing its value in democratic
America.
"Itll be great stun over in the
states" he announced, and he nod
ded approval. well. II is going
some. I'll tell the world"
Icons appearance before the
rulers OF Italy marked a milestone
In his career. He was thanked and
decorated: the doors OF the old no.
bility we're opened to him: inevita-
bly, he thought OF his mother. and
wished she could be there to share
his .triumphs.