The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1922-04-15


flowers, drives calls, and candy thN
seemed originally intended for herself
But invariably, even though inwardiy
she did rebel outwardly she was Still
the self sacrificing, sclf-"nncing sister
AS it CHANGED, II was after a day Of
this inward rebellion that Kate Drnu
went once again with her family 10 a
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 SO 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 thar
was customary. They were plainly
hurried. nervous. excited. one STUN
bled against muSic-rack, and another
dropped his bow To the floor. Some
talked earnestly together; others sat
silently apart, an odd look almost Ike
disdain on their faces. HrouoIshy.
for whom Kate looked at once, w0s no
where to be seen. She was wondering
at this, when unexpectedly John Ken
nison appeared In the aisle by her
seat.
II came down minute TO tell YOU"
he began excitedly in low voice.
Last night Rossi-the leader, you
know-was thrown out of his auto and
hurt rather badly. Kcpple, the concert
master was with him, and he WAS
knocked out, TOD, for tonight. And
what do you think Rossi sent word
that Bronoffsky - Bronofrsky should
conduct tonight -
who's Bron - Bron - what's his
Manner demanded Edith, pcttIshly.
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 vlolins,
second violins." repeated Kennison
tall. long -haired chap with big black
eyes You'll remember when you see
him. l must 40, but l wanted to tell
YOU" hurried the man. turning again
to Kate. something's going to happen,
but Just what, | 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
were all In their places; then from the
wings stepped tall, dark-haired 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 IL he even heard. With
head and shoulders erect he was max
Ing for the stand. His face was white.
and his jaw firm-set; but there was
that In his eyes that caused the girl to
glow suddenly as with hidden fire.
For a 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 q 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 I'M
due din of brass and drum; he was
careful Of the quality as well as the
quantity Of tone; ne 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 mouth was curved in smile that
some way seemed to carry an citation
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. APP
peared at the connecting door between
their rooms.
Edith" began Kate cheerfully. I'm
! going to close this door tonight
want my window open, and you don't,
you know; so II I close the door well
both be satisfied. Goodnight" And
she shut the door.
| For one amazed instant Edith stood
and stared Mt the closed door; then
she darted forward, her hand reaching
for the knob.
"Why, Kate, what are you thinking
of, when you know never sleep with
out that door open," she cried The
next moment she fell back weakly