Sioux County pioneer., 1922-04-13
wen selfish that she should not like.

even selfish that she should not like
always to be doing the drudgery, or
always to be giving up her will about
every little matter, or always to be
handing over to another woman the
flowers, drives. calls, and candy that
seemed originally intended for herself.
But invariably, even though inwardly
she did rebel, outwardly she was still
the self-sacrifcing, self-effacing sister.
| As 1t CHANGED, it was after q day of
this inward rebellion that Kate Denny
went once again with her family to q
concert by the Philharmonic. There
was the same anticipatory hum and
stir In the audience, but on the stage
on the stage, even Kate could see that
something unusual had happened, or
was about to happen. One by one the
musicians were taking their places,
but not in the quiet, orderly way that
was customary. They were plainly
hurried, nervous, excited. One Stun
6led against music-rack, and another
dropped his bow to the floor. Some
talked earnestly together; Others sat
silently apart, an odd look almost like
dlsdatn on their faces. Bronoffsky,
for whom Kate looked at once, was no
where to be seen. She was wondering
at this, when Unexpectedly John Ken
nison appeared In the aisle by her
seat. !, \,
came down minute to tell you,"
ne began excitedly in low voice.
Last night Rossi- the leader, you
know--was thrown out Of his auto and
hurt rather badly. Kepple, the concert
master. was with him, and he was
knocked out, too, for tonight. And
what do you think? Rossi sent word
that Bronoffsky ~ Bronoffsky should
conduct tonight" I" f.s,
who's Bron - Bron - what's his
name? demanded Edith, pettishly.
And Kate. to whom John Kennison's
words had been addressed, for once
rejoiced in her sisters interposition, SO
oddly stirred was she herself at John
Kennison's words.
"Why, he's one of the second violins,
second violins," repeated Kennison,
tall, long-haired chap with big black
eyes. You'll remember when you see
him. I must go, but wanted to tell
you," hurried the man, turning again
to Kate, something's going to happen,
but just what, I don't know. He's been
putting us through our PAGES all the
morning, and-well, you'll see" flung
back Kennison as he hurried away.
Five minutes, later the orchestra
We're all in their places; then from the
wings stepped tall, darkrhaired man,
and Kate Denny's heart gave heavy,
suffocating throb. A patter Of hand
clapping greeted the mans appearance,
but almost instantly died into silence
the claps had been intended for Rossi
--and this man was not Rossi. Kate
Denny, watching him with suspended
breath, wondered If he cared.
The man himself did not look as If
he cared, or as If he even heard. With
head and shoulders erect he was max
ing for the stand. His face was white,
and his jaw frm-set; but there was
that in his eyes that caused the girl to
glow suddenly as with hidden fire.
For tense instant Bronoffsky, mo-
tionless upon his stand, faced his
orchestra; then slowly he raised his
baton.
True to John Kennison's prophecy,
something did happen that evening.
The orchestra knew that never before
had they played as they were playing
.now-with such passion, such power,
such oneness Of purpose.
The audience knew only that never
before had they heard forty instru-
ments sound so exactly as one.
The critics between the numbers
the critics talked enthusiastically OF
the new leader who had that night
been born. From their lips dropped
learned phrases: He did not over
drive his orchestra; he sought no un-
due din Of brass and drum he was
careful Of the quality as well as the
quantity Of tone; he had balance,
poise, power; he ordered the pace Of
his music judiciously, and he moulded
its phrases with mastery hand.
And yet-neither orchestra nor au-
dience nor learned critics were quite
SO much moved as was certain young
woman in an orchestra chair nine rows
from the front. Her head was erect,
her eyes were shining like stars, and
her mouth was curved in a smile that
some way seemed to carry an elation
all out Of proportion to any cause.
For, had you asked her, she would
have said that it was all because Of
one Leon Bronoffsky, second violinist,
who that night had led the orchestra.
For Edith Denny that evening there
came two surprises. One surprise was
when she found herself unaccountably
walking out Of the concert hall with
her mother, while ahead Kate and John
Kennison walked together.
The second surprise came later,
when Kate, nearly ready for bed, ap-
speared at the, connecting door between
their rooms. .s Il 4.
Edith. began Kate cheerfully. ..I,m
going to close this door tonioht II