Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1925-03-28
The White
Hyacinth
By NELLIE r. EBERHART

~ tiful auditorium in orchestra
chairs. 1t was MARGINS birthday
and this concert with little supper
aftcrward had weeks before been
chosen by Judson for an eXtravagant
celebration.
Such luxuries were few. yet they
wasted little breath in lamentations.
Young. healthy. in love. their simple
pleasures were many. A Sunday morn
ing walk in one Of the parks, ferry
Trip to Staten Island, moonlight bus
ride along the Hudson. the nine O'Clock
singing hour at st. Mark 's-On-the-
Bowerie, the discussion Of their daily
affairs, the details of his study the
planning of their future home-these
joys were unfailing springs of delight.
One thing they lacked--passionately
fond of music. they never heard
enough good singing. for Judson's sal
AIRY was small. he was attending
night classes as we'll as educating a
talented brother. Marcia, herself
supported her mother and high schoO.
sister. .,.=., >,
From this strange soil the thought
Of the concert had bloomed like an
orchid on a window sill. 1t was
wonder. an excitement, an entrance
ment: an operate concert. t0o-iii
most as good as the opera. And for
once they were to hear the perform
ancei nearby instead of from the dir
~ heights of the family circle.
For the occasion, Florence had fash
Toned her a straight, sleeveless gown
from three yards Of midnight blue
MORE. She had no ornaments. but
her slim white arms needed no fur
ther adornment than the dimpIe at the
elbow and the adorable young curve
Of her wrist. j.a'' :@,. ~
. Knowing that many men wear bus,
mess suits to concerts, hudson con
tented himself with buying hand
some tie and new pair of gloves.
Then. suddenly. their first quarrel
Sitting now in the luxnriousness of
her velvet seat, her eyes strained to
her program, Marcia, thinking back.
could scarcely remember what had
caused the unexpected flareup Seem
ingly without provocatiOn they quar-
relied bitterly and parted in frigid 81
lence.
In the early next mornings mail.
Marcia had received stiff note from
Judson enclosing the tickets and re-
quested her to take Florence with her
as he would be busy that evening.
Marcia had been aghast and had
flown to the telephone just in time
to catch him before he left for bus
mess. There had been a compromise
but no reconciliation. Marcia re-
turned Judson one ticket and they
had each gone alone, hurt and aloof.
Marcia sighed-without response;
Judson's gaze explored the parterre.
the grand tier, the dress circle, the
balcony; it dared the family circle
and dropped to the stage as the con-
ductor took his place. vet never
brushed the edge of Mart.ia's gown
Very sleek and handsome 'was Jnd
son in his we'll pressed suit md new
tie Marcia thrilled with pride. cast
stony profile. In her abstraction. the
overture left her cold Then FL
miliar strain; Marcia caught her
breath; Judson's immObile features
changed indescribably. - This was
Judson's song-Judson, who could not
sing note but nightly voiced his
love to her in De GorgorZa's phono-
graph record of Massenet's "ITleeting
Vision" Now for the first time they
were to hear it sung by living voice,
yet they were not to enjoy it together !!
Through all it's heavenly melody they
were to sit apart though side by side.
separated by foolish, almost forgot
ten. misunderstanding. And this was
her birthday treat!
Marcia recalled what Judson had
said when he first shared with her
his golden idea:
Suppose I can't afford the money,
Marcia. Suppose. l have no spring
overcoat and Chester needs a new
piano. This concert is TO be white
hyacinth for our souls"
Marcia's prudent objections had died.
She had added joyously:
"And We'll remember it afterward.
note for note. word for word. to help
us over the hard places"
Marcia sighed again as the music
stopped and the applause assaulted
her ears; she looked openly, inviting
ly at her lover. His stubborn mouth
had relaxed, his hands gripped the
chair arms, he looked woefully tired
And here was his beautiful thought
for her, carried out at the cost of weari-
some self-denial. coming to pitiful
end. If she spoke now they would
still have an hour Of music and the
intermission together. One of their
plans had been to promenade the
Metropolitan corridors during the in
Permission.
Impulsively she turned to him nd
intercepted shy fleeing glance. .e-
fore her lips opened. however, she