The Washington times., 1920-03-19
Screen Ver.iss NsvetiseI
b. JANE MCLEAN,

HANCOCK noticed with some
missivins the frequent trips
4 made by his famous en-
ployer to the pension where Gina
Berg lived In modest seelusion. A
light dawned gradually and he be-
gan to understand why the Eternal
City was holding the American
virtuoso. Then he congratulated
himself In having sent for Mama
Kantor. The need was greater than
ever he had imagined. Hancock
shuddered as he thought Of mar
rage in connection with Leon. No
man can serve two masters. was
his motto in business, and he
feared any diversion of interest
even in the realm OF art.
He caught a glimpse OF Gina
when the two were motoring, and
his fears increased. the girl was
more. bea utifui than she had seemed
on the steamer. Hancock. waited
impatientiy for the arrival OF the
New York boat.
The least he could do was to
meet Mrs. Kantor at Naples. He
said nothing to her son. preferring
to surprise him. And Leon did not
miss him: he had left a note saying
that he would be back In day or
SO, but the young man failed even
to open II. Hancock was nowhere
in his thoughts these days.
Gina herself, while reveling In
the scenes OF Rome and In the COM
pany Of her distinguished country
man, began TO realize that he was
spending more time with her than
he was with the precious Strad.
II. 81 a h. IN Lar
little too strenuously?" she asked
him as they started out for q morn
ing's picnic.
TITS a tonic to be with you.
Gina" ne. answered. I'm thinking
music instead Of playing it."
The girl flushed and changed the
subject. She was vaguely uncom-
Portable. Much as she admired
Leon she had her own work to DO
in the world, and to her mind one
could not marry and succeed as p
singer.
with the faulty OF the young
she never asked herself why. 1t
seemed to be an accepted fact. Ac
tually had disproved 1t, but there
1t was an ogre that stood grinning
in the back of her head and refus-
ing to be ca1oled or dislodged.
They spread out their lunche On
under q tree by the bank OF d
stream, and the blue Italian sky
smiled on them as IL has smiled on
thousands of youths and maids
since the days of Romulus. Gina
felt her danger; skillfully she par.
ried and evaded.
Have you ever thought of mar
riage?" asked the man suddenly.
ooh, yes" she faced him frankly.
"many times, but ! have other
ideals. shall never break away
from Them" she asserted with an
air OF finality that might have
made the gods smile.
You mean art and love are not
compatible?" asked Leon. phrasinG
a bromide remark in a tone OF IN
tense earnestness.
Gina nodded. "And you agree
with me. don't you, Leon?"
II did until a little while ago"
he managed to stammer.
The girl began to collect the pic
mic dishes. and raising her head.
cried gayly: We're going to have
a lovely afternoon for the drive
home"
Leon never came any nearer 70
telling Gina ne IOveQ ner. SUNNI
how he feared the rebuff he felt
would come IL he revealed what
was in his heart. Perhaps he made
the mistake of daring too little.
They said little on the way back,
and Leon walked into the lobby Of
the Grand looking a bit disconso-
late; he was startled by a cry. and
turning saw his mother, arms out
stretched, sweeping down upon him
oblivious OF amazed chances.
Hancock stood by smiling. Mrs
Kantor, with her arms about her
boys neck, was half crying and
half laughing. Leon himself fel;
as though he had been transportel
to New York without his knowing
1t.
Nothing hut . Surprise.
Mama. how did you get hereT
"Oh, I made II up to surpriseyou?
Nothing wrong at homer"
Nothing. papa and the children
are fine"
And you came all aloner
"Why not-after travelling all
over with you, an American like
me-"
Ne led her to tho lounge and
watched her with q wave Of tender
ness as she dabbled . handkerchief