Evening star., 1928-12-17
BY
BARBARA
WEBB

things" Yyonne said IT viii wear
them whenever come from my house
for q lesson. can wear them easily
from home. Richard never leaves his
workroom In the afternoon"
Mrs. Ogden named . figure far be-
low the actual cost Of the garments,
which had been sent by q famous firrn
Of dressmakers. Yvonne paid her the
price she named. and they went TO-
gether to the studio.
M. Romanevski felt Yvonne was now
ready for more intensive individual
training, He called In bis costume
designer and had some costumes or
colors particularly suited to Yvonnea
face and hair made for her. he
taught her various stock combinations
of steps and postureS and showed her
how to arrange them to form new
dances. Then one day he sent for his
accompanist and said. To-day you will
dance as you wish to dance. will
watch"
The music began Yvonne felt her
self slowly leaving behind her all her
old personality. She was spirit dis
embodied, answering a call TO music.
She began to move lightly, here and
there, letting the music carry her
where 1t would. The notes came faster.
Yvonne responded. Her last semhlance
of self-consciousnesS vanished. she
forgot everything in the dance. She
was free, released by her art 70 com
plete Self-expression at last.
Silence fell on the room when shI
had finished Mrs. Ogden, who hal
been watching, had lump in bet
throat. The master was too oyercom'
for his usual volatile enthusiasm. He
raised Yvonne from the floor, whers
she had sunk at the close OF her dance,
and kissed her solemnly on both cheeks.
Finally he spoke, holding both her
hands: ut is true, Mile. Yvonne. You
have genius. You are an artist. But
you must work. You must give up
everything for your art. Am not
right. madame?"
Mrs. Ogden nodded. YvonneS race
grew tense and white.
There are things I cannot give up.
monster" she said, freeing her hands.
The master shook his head . little.
"Then you are not yet an artist. When
the time comes--and 1t Is not far
you will give up everything, every
thing in the world, for the sake OF
your art Come to me when that time
comes and will help you. Untu then
can do no more for you than ] do
for my other pupils"
There was little talk on the arst half
of the drive home that day. Finally
Mrs. Ogden took Yvonne's hand and
asked her: II wonder. Yvonne. II you
realize where you are goirg--what
changes must come TO You soon? You
way much longer. Either you must tell
your husband and get his sympathy and
approval of what you are doing, or you
viii have to give up your work"
II will never give up my dancing"
Yvonne said slowly. TT is part OF me.
1t has always been part Of me. And"
she spoke pitifully now. IT cannot give
up Richard either. He has neconie part
Of me. He has all my heart"
She broke down sobbing IN the older
woman's arms.
you'd YOU like me to talk to your
husband?" Mrs. Ogden asked when
Yvonne's sobbing grew quieter.
mo. I must tell him myself. You
are right. I must tell him Soon--but
it will be hard, for I have deceived
him. I see now where it would have
been far better for me to have been
truthful from the first-to have told
him I was lonely and must have oc-
cupation. 1t is too late now for that.
But I will watch my chance. ] will
tell him soon"
Perhaps you are wise" Mrs. Ogden
agreed. But advise you TO make an
opportunity soon. You will suffer un-
til you do"
Yvonne went through her dinner
preparations in o daze that night. She
longed to throw herself IN Richards
arms and sob out her secret, now nearly
year old. She wanted 70 speak to
him in his own tongue, TO have him love
her and admire her and be proud Of
her.
When was the best time to approach
him? After dinner he somst.mes re-
laxed and let her play to him. She
would ask him to stay with her this
evening. to let his work lie forgotten
for few hours. Yes, she would tell
him that very night.
She felt more cheerful when she
had taken that decision. She tried
to talk to him through dinner, making
chatter about the food, about new
piece she was studying.
viii you let me play 1t for you after
dinner, Richard?" she asked coaxingly.
He hooded. Yes, I'll stay down q
little, but 1t won't be for long. I'm IN
the thick of some things that won's
wait to be finished"
Yvonne played for him ana he lis.
tened as he had promised. Then SRA
went and knelt by his chair, resting her
her hair abSently.
Richard" she began hesitantly.
"Yes, Yvonne."
like other women, your own country
women?"
God forbid!" Richards spoke fer
vently. There isn't woman in this
country who could be as faithful and
patient as you, Yvonne. know you
are often lonely. and have thought
lately that when ] am through with
this particular work have on hand
We would take q trip back 70 France
You'd you like to go?"
Yvonne barely nodded her head. She
forced herself to speak: Sometimes"
she said. IT long to be dressed like
American women. to speak your Ian
guage, to be q wife you would be glad
to take about with you"
That is foolish nonsense, Yvonne.
I am content with you as you are.
Don't anger me by keeping such a
foolish thought in your head"
But suppose disobeyed you, Rich
ard. Suppose did learn your Ian
guage. did learn to dress Smartly and to
be hke-like-well, like your friend,
Mile. Lovelace? Would you be angry"
vvonns Ansrsr than saSa csn ro'si ten Iv.n yS%
when we were married. ! know you
will keep 1t. And you must not think
wicked thoughts about Miss Lovelaee.
I care nothing at all for her. I would
not have you like her for all the world
Now we have talked long enough. I
must get back to my work. Dismiss
this nonsense you have been talking.
In q few weeks will be ready for a
holiday and We win 60 abroad to-
gether"
He rose, freeing his hand from hers,
a slight frown on his face. He did not
like to be disturbed by such ideas as
Yvonne was expressing. They inter-
fered with his work. He was quite
content as he was. Still frowning
slightly, he left the room.
Yvonne sank sobbing In q little heap