The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-08-23
Chapter 81.
I HAVE A SHOCK.

head, sizes too large for his thin, al
most emaciated body And the size
of the head was increased by the
bushy red hair that covered THAR
brushed sleekly into place, but that,
by its very thickness. seemed to stand
out all over the head
He sat on a low stool. his rather
long arms clasped around his knees.
He was watching me, he had been
watching for some time. ! wanted
him TO come over and talk TO me, but
he never moved Sometimes he turned
10 chat with an elderly man beside
him.
The musician. Mr. Nardonski, con-
tinued to be devoted to me.
You are musical, of course?" he
asked.
why the of course" coun-
tered.
He had a little way of lifting his
shoulders now and then as he talked.
You have temperament" he an
swered. You have sweet voice
when speaking, so much sweeter than
the voices of those one meets over
here"
II am no musician. One is always
taught to play and sing little
Then play a little for me, sing
something 10 me-
glanced around the room. He
caught the look, guessed did not want
10 before so many people, and sug.
gested-
THE little music room will do"
Some of the people had left, the
patrons OF the orchestra had already
gone. Gwen was standing by the
door, saying goodbye. Win had moved
TO a big chair by the fireplace. The
little man had disappeared
Mr.. Nardonski made some excuse
about trying my voice and we went
across the hall to the music room. 1t
was a wonderful little room. a little
gem designed by one of our best
artists The walls had been painted
with scenes from some strange dream
forest, where fawns and curious
animals played and where long vistas
through the trees made the tiny room
seem large as outdoors itself. In one
corner the grand piano stood Around
were some chairs and couches to
{ lounge on. all the light was centered
on the instrument. and then diffused
to throw a pale illumination on the
painted dream forest.
It was room to play in, TO create
music. to feel its beauty.
Mr.. Nardonski sat down, running hi:
fingers over the keys of the piano
sang some simpler things for him
He pretended he thought my voice
very good. | took his compliments,
did not care what he thought wa:
all part of my game. Then | played (
Chopin prelude, bit | remembered
from a Tchaikovsky symphony, til;
Love and Death" music from Tristan
All, there is passion there. in thost
slim white fingers" he said, leanin'
nearer to me over the piano.
said nothing. I kept my eyes oil
the keys. | was quite sure he wa
going to be sentimental, and wante,
only enough interest to bring him 4
see me again. did not want seen
here.
broke off before the climax Of tn
music, which was beyond my skill t
do properly and begin something @
Scriabines transposing and changin
and simplifying. since had only hear
the orchestral score
The Poeme dc IEXtase," he crieC
All, but you are doing it very We
indeed
There was no music before me. onl
the polished ebony of the piano. whic
acted like a mirror. | could see tn
doorway behind me. saw Gwendolv
enter and stand there, Winthrop bt
side her. The little man was wit
them. pretended not TO know. an
put everything had of skill and fee
% ing into the music. | had never playe
y as well.
The Poem of Ecstacy", hear
Gwen murmur. in answer to a duestio
from Win. How beautifully sh
docs it,"
They stood q moment listenin
while | PLAYED. Win had never hear
me play He knew little and care
rothing about music. He was listel
ing eagerly now. so much I could te
from his attitude. Then | saw GIVE
nut her hand on his arm. At once h
attention was diverted. He turne
ard she turned. and they went out (
the room together, his arm slippir
through hers as they walked.
For an instant felt sick. and n
fingers stumbled. But Nardonski ";