Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-09-30

Machree for mine, when l want t weep. But
you! Cheer up; you've got lots Q, t'me ~
catch your train, All rlght' sally.
TIL sink is down there in tn corner III
bring tn soap. By.by. Jerry; we got t clean
up"
A man without a talent! thought Bancroft,
obviously. Miss Hewitt had never played to
him in such a fashion. He had, it was true,
been entranced; but he had never been SO
stirred emotionally as in the moment gone.
What a bag of emotions he was: and whither
would they lead him in the end. He was
interrupted by the f1irtatious chorus girl,
who pumped herself down beside him. ,
Lots O. fun, amt it?"
"Fine!" he said, using a word he despised
in conversation, -
He repeated it half a dozen times without
compromising much of anything she said.
his ironic mood sensing that the word would
be a fitting answer to whatever the girl had
to say. All the while watching Nancy and
the man who was without any talent. Craig
had reseated himself at the piano and Nancy
leaned aginst the side.
You play wonderfully" she said. Il
didn't know. What was that last? Some
thing by Grieg, but I've forgotten" i.
1.-THE Old Mother" Softly Craig began
to run through the composition. Cant you
see her. by the fireplace, a thin fire under the
kettle? Her man is dead, end all her sons
have gone. She is. alone. The old mother,
forgot there among the ruins of her dreams.
The end of all mothers, You love music?"
Eyes. That is why / despise the songs l
sing" She could tell Craig the secret, off
hand. in this manner; but she could not tell
Mannheim!
Somehow L understood that. Now I won.
der if l am going to offend you? ! have made
an appointment for you with Sorrentino at
two o'clock tomorrow. Will you go?"
The ancient suspicion flashed into her
% mind-that favors had to be paid for. But
Sorrentino, the famed impresario, a disinter.
ested judge; to know one way or the other!
"You are not offended" he repeated.
mo. I am rather stunned. He seldom
bothers with any but those who have more
or less arrived:
He is an old friend of mine, and he will
give you half an hour. We met frequently
in Italy after 1 had completed my studies
in Munich. He will tell you truthfully wheth-
err or not you have a voice suited to grand
opera. You have a we'll trained voice as 1t
is, and you know very well how to use it..
He was quite pleased tonight, though he
knew that your voice really has no chance
with that style of music"
"He was in the theater tonight?"
Eyes; but he had to leave after the first
act. I am to telephone him in the morning."
"It is very kind of you. I will be there.
But you mustn't. do anything more for me
in this way. 1t embarrasses me, Tor ! can
not make any return"
is it because l sometimes drink?' he
asked, unexpectedly.
why :" m .
%"Supposing I gave you my word never to
touch the stuff again: would you be glad?"
OF course 1 would-as' any good woman
would be. You area distin guished man.; you
possess a great gift.
But what can l do with it? I am a rich
man. I am not selfish; only, there are SO few
who Would understand the kind Of music I
play that 1 rarely do what l did tonight. l
thought perhaps you might understand"
"You told me you had no talent" said a
voice from behind them.
Nancy was positively glad to see Bancroft
standing at her shoulder, for the converse
ton between her and Craig was nearing
rather dangerous ground. I'D
Craig smiled. If the Interruption annoyed
him, he did not show it. Il meant that l
had no public talent. You enjoy music?"
Every much. It rouses all that is best in
me; makes me want to go forth and commit
some sublime folly. In the little village I
came from there is an old maid who plays
- the church organ. I used to blow for her.
After rehearsals she would play for me
Bach, Beethoven, Mendelssoln. I used to
20 home in a dream that lasted for hours.
But there is something in your music that
was never in hers"
"Thank you. What is in my music that
was not in hers?" Craig felt his curiosity
stirred by this odd young chap. -,oEr-
Il am ignorant. I don't know what It Is
1t hurts, and hers never did. You wanted IT
TO hurt" Banncroft's tone was almost re-
And you told me that you had no tai
ent,' returned Craig, smiling again.
"But I haven'G".
you are a. poet. Only poets can fee
beauty to the extent that it hurts"
L don't know one rhyme from another
, Bancroft declared.
Both David and Solomon were poets
their thunder goes down the ages. AM
where's the rhyme or meter in anything they
wrote?" l
~ but if I had your talent 80. ;"
.Well, what would you do with lit" asked
I Craig. amused.
IF 1 had your talent and were a ricl
man, I'd go about the country and give con
certs, turning the proceeds over to charitable
organizations No man who has your gif
has any right to hide it. Genius isn't prl
vate property; 1t is something we mus
- snare Win everybody, anywhere. my OOn
you go among the soldier hospitals and Civ
those poor boys music? Think Of the pleas
ure it would give yon!"
Craig rose from the STOOL, and with 4
serious expression put out his hand towar
his young rival. Thank you, Mr.. Ceilings
wood, for a fine idea. I'm ashamed to sa
that l never thought my music might be Q
use to any one. You were In the arrny?"
ION this side"
And you know where some OF these SO
der hospitals are?""
~ can easily secure a list"
Will you take lunch with me tomorro,
~ at The Players, so we can talk it over
Twelve-thirty. Gramercy Park. Any one wi
show you the way. I'm going to be yer
gratefully 1t will be a tonic. something
need rather keenly."'
IT shall be happy to have lunch wit
you" said Bancroft, disarmed completely.
Said Craig to Nancy: "I shall telephor
sorrentino. And don't be afraid Of him. = z
That's very easy to say" replied Nanc
II shall be afraid of him, OF myself-
~ ~ FL ~ u LasH