Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-01

Harrison gulped down a lump in his throat
and managed to look up, to catch the princi-
pals eyes. Prof. Marks was leaning forward
will you stay for a moment too Harrison?"
he requested. Harrison, his hopes suddenly
mounting again, nodded. Then the principal
gave the signal for him to start playing.
HarriSon'S expert fingers struck the keys, and
the spirited strains Of one Of SouSas marches
filled the room. The students. again released
from silence began to frolic, but as they moved
down the aisIes the irresistible rhythm Of the
music caught them, and they began to move
In time to its strains in spite of themselves.
As they filed past the piano TO the narrow
front doors of the room, Harrison smiled to
himself. He knew the power of a marchI He
had often seen people on the street when they
heard band playing-an Of them uncon-
sciouSly marching in time to the music. It
was something that person simply could not
resist. Why, at this very moment Harrison
noticed with a delighted smile that even staid
Prof. Marks was stunning the desk with his
fingers, and old Mr.. Hail. the chemistry
teacher, looked almost like a soldier as he
tramped up to the roStrum. Harrison'S fingers
sought the keys with a new spirit. It gave
him that coveted sense Of power to see how his
music affected others.
Nevertheless, his heart was beating more
rapidly when. a few minutes later. he faced the
principal with the boys who had been chosen
to keep order that evening. Prof. Marks was
about to give them their instructions when he
was certainly in noticeable contrast to the
brawniness Of the other boys.
"Oh, Harrison, don't need to keep you for
all this" said the principal with q smile. "I
merely wanted to ask you If you would play to-
night while the audience is gathering. between
the various items ON the program and when it
IS over. People are always less restless when
there is music. Anything you wish to play
will be SatiSfactory-just something to keep
them amused. win you do that?"
eSR
the lump Of disappointment in his throat and
turned away.
Harrison got his coat and hat from their
place in the cloakroom and walked disconso-
lately from the building. And as he moved
toward his home his thoughts were tinged with
bitterness. OF course he loved music but why
should the fact that he could play piano set
him apart from other boys? why did his
brother, and others like him, feel so proud of
their strong muscles and regard his musical
ability with contempt? And why did these
other boys, the athletes, always come to be
chosen as leaders In every school affair? Har-
rfSon could not answer his own questions but
he felt that he was the victim of great in
justice. And somehow he hated his own slight
body, his own muscles, which, although they
were not mighty, were supple and active
He was reading when Jack reached home
half hour later. Jack tossed his hat into
closet, stretched his powerful frame. and
grnned at his smaller younger brother.
Better watch your foot tonight, kid, or one
OF us cops Will tell you where to get; on" he
said with touch Of inSolence And don't
pull any funny ones in the musical line. or
Wen run you in for disturbing the peace.
Harrison was silent for moment, while he
gained control Of his temper what do Won
fellows have to do?" he inquired. = :
oh, just stand around and keep you kids
from getting fresh," said Jack breeziIy. '"They
picked US out because they knew everybody else
would be scared of us. guess nobody VIM act
up with the squad that Prof. Marks picked out.
keeping order" -" -
Harrison got to his feet and slowly walked
70 the other room. A moment later his fingers
were busy at the piano. He could always forget
his troubles by playing :
(To be continued next SundayJ