Evening star., 1928-12-14

WOulQ dSk MIN 10 4eO 1CE IcbuIu W
France. Having made this decision,
provided way of escape for herself
if the necessity arose, she felt better
and went about her work with her Gus
tomary good cheer.
Her work finished, she would often
finger the magazines and books that
lay plentifully about the house. She
had no French books which she could
have read, though she was not pro-
f1cient in the art of reading. But she
could pore over the pictures and this
bought a brightly covered magazine
and turned its pages, studying the
styles and trying to understand the
meaning of some of the more fascinat-
ing illustrations.
Then she discovered she could pick
out little tunes on the piano. After
that she spent many hours playing
tunes with one finger. She could soon
play the airs of all the folk songs she
knew and would sit singing them softly
and playing them with one finger.
One day, as she sat playing and sing
ing, ring took her to answer the door
A man stood there, hat in hand, kit
of tools Slung over one shoulder.
TUNE your piano. lady?" he asked.
Yvonne shook her head. The man
took in her strange dress
mo speak EngliSh?" he asked.
Yvonne shook her head again.
He made the motion of playing the
piano with his free hand, Fix it," he
said.
Yvonne comprehended the motion
The man had something to do with
pianos She was bored and dull, so
she opened the door and asked him in
II will let you touch my friend"
she said in French, "but you must not
hurt him, he is all have in this quiet
house. None other speaks to me-"
She had always referred to the piano
as person and truly it often seemed to
her that the piano understood her and
answered her moods.
She watched the man unsling his kit
and go over to the instrument. He sat
down on the bench and struck the
chords and ran the scale after the man.
ner of piano tuners the world over.
Yvonne listened entranced. Then she
saw the man shake his head.
Terribly out of tune" he said. "In
fix it for you lady," he nodded reaS-
suredly and beckoned Yvonne to his
side. Putting one finger on middle G
and one on the next octave up he show
ed her the difference in tone. Yvonne
comprehended and nodded wisely as he
showed her how the other notes were
also of key.
She was fascinated as he worked,
Tightening and improving the tone,
handling his work as though he loved
it. Her ear was sensitive and she could
tell as quickly as he when note was
finally right.
When he had finished he asked her to
play, in pantomine. She shook her
head and asked him to play. He sat
down and, playing from ear, entertained
her for half an hour. When he left he
gave her his card and told her to call
on him again. She smiled and nodded
her head, though she was not sure just
what he was asking her.
But the afternoon had been a reve-
lation to her. Before this she had always
thought of music as being for the few
who had the leisure and wealth and
had nothing to do but play. Now this
man most certainly was not wealthy.
And he could play. Perhaps there would
be some chance for her to learn.
After dinner that night she went to
Richard and showed him the card.
He made me wonderful music" she
told her husband.
Played by ear probably" Richard
said. Those fellows never do any real
studying"
"Richard-" Yvonne paused. sud
denly she was afraid to ask for what
she wished.
Something in her tone made RicnaEc
look up. He saw the pulse beating fast
in her white throat.
What is it?" he asked kindly, taking
her hand.
enough to do here and today I thought
if only could learn to make music, to
play on the piano, how happy it would
make me, how busy it would keep me.
I do not wish to do anything that will
diSplease you and II you say so will
never think Of it again. but if you are
willing, I long with all my heart tc
learn music"
mo harm in that that I can see."
Richard said. "Music's surely an in
ternational language. Well have to get
you teacher that speaks French,
though. I'll advertise for one tomor-
row."
Yvonne threw her arms about him
and kissed him warmly. Her eyes
danced. She was transformed into a
radiantly happy creature and Richard
himself felt glow that he had grauAod
her simple request.
True to his promise this advertisement
appeared in the papers the following
day:
Wanted: piano teacher for beginner;
adult; must be able to speak French.
Write Box XYZ.
There were various answers to his
call. Richard interviewed three of them.
One was a typical Frenchman who
would make love to Yvonne during the
second lesson, Richard felt sure An
other was a young French girl who was
not temperamentally fitted to be patient
with Yvonne'S mistakes. he felt. The
third, whom he engaged, was young,
American woman who had studied
abroad apd who spoke passahle French
Yvonne wore her silk costume for the
coming Of her teacher. She had been
in fever Of impatience all day. She
had busted and polished the piano until
1t Shone. Richard had told her she
might offer tea to the teacher after the
lesson and Yvonne had plate of small
cakes and sandwiches made with love
and anxiety for the great occasion.
The teacher proved to be pleaSingly
impersonal young woman, born teacher
who loved her work. She was entranced
with Yvonne'S beauty, though she did
touching in the extreme. IN
tending to spend half an hour with her
pupil at the first lesson. she spent an
hour.
Richard came down at the end of
the hour and asked how the new student
was making out.
She has wonderfully keen sense of
music" Miss Watkins answered. "She
is going to learn very fast. It. Is too
bad she does not speak English. I feel
that could teach her better in my own
tongue"
Richard looked at Yvonne's flushed.
happy face. II can see you have been
having a good time" he said. run
along and get us some tea and I will
ask Miss Watkins to play for us. And
mind you. you are to sit with us and
pour the tea"