The Coolidge examiner., 1933-10-06

IN PRANO stood by the bed
gazing down at the old face
upon the pillow.
Maestro" he said slowly, you
do not know what you are doing.
This would rob your life of all joy"
a gentle smile played across the
others features, shadowy and waxen
in the dim candlelight.
Luigi, my friend" came the an
swer, my life itself is not far from
the finale. Too long have | strug-
gled foolishly against oblivion. The
name of Pietro Gitalpi is without
meaning today, among this alien
people. My great wish now Is to
spend the few years that are left
me in peace and comfort at Milan.
There is but one way to make that
possible"
He paused.
Di Prano sank down upon the
beds edge, silent and shortly the
other continued
For twenty years, Luigi, knew
the joys of creation, of acclaim and
reward. Kings heard my playing,
the instruments l fashioned were
sought by great artists, and pupils
came to me from many cities. Now,
all that is gone and forgotten. l
am an old man and in need. Why
should l complain If l must ex-
change one possession that is dear
to me for ease and security in the
evening of my days?"
Dl Prano gestured helplessly.
But IL is so much more than
thatp' he cried, this, that has been
treasured through twelve genera
tions in your family-with what can
you hope to replace the happiness
it has brought you?"
81 have considered that, too, my
friend" replied Gitalpi calmly.
do not forget that these old
hands once made violins as well.
The finest of these / still have
the one which you called ii su-
perbo'-fashioned after the Stradi-
varius."
The soft smile came again as he
added:
THAT shall comfort me, Luigi.
Why, new bridge and E string for
it, and l shall never know l am not
still lingering the other!"
Behind the old mans words Di
Prano sensed the hidden anguish,
the anticipation of great and ire
parable loss.
He knew the other instrument,
marvellous replica though 1t was,
could never replace the Stradivari-
us in Gitalprs heart.
How gladly. he mused, would he
give to this man, who had taught
him knowledge and beauty and wis
dom in music, twice the sum the
violin would bring And yet. how
helpless to offer any aid beyond
she service now asked of him.
Abruptly he rose, paced the tiny
room once, and halted again beside
the bed.
There is no alternative, then?"
he asked
You are determined that l shall
fnd a purchaser
Gitalpi moved a hand, blue as wa
tered milk. in a slight gesture of
depreciation.
Il do not wish to trouble you,"
he said; IF you should know of
some one"
Di PranO cut him off, expostulat-
ing. My dear Maestro! At least,
please spare me that. To speak of
trouble"
A shrug of distaste completed the
thought.
There is man of whom I
know" he went on. willing and
able to pay well for such an instru-
ment. But he is no muslcian-only
pretentious trickster. fabulous
salaried fiddler of claptrap tunes
for the radio"
The old man WINGED visibly, then
sighed a little.
"And YOU" he said, might per-
haps have spared me that. Although
may not choose, 1t would have
been pleasant to fancy that some
one worthy Of"
Again Di Prano broke in, now
contrite.
Forgive me-" he cried.
"I should not have spoken, but 1
thought possibly to dissuade you at
least. | see that was both foolish
and unkind. Forgive what I have
said. Perhaps, after all, I am only
prejudiced."
Gitalpi was once more serene.
'It does not matter, my friend"
he replied, 'but tell me-when could
you see this man?"
81 will go to him at once, tonight,
at his studio" said the other.
81 cannot thank you properly" re-
sponded the maestro With quiet sim
plicity, and added. "You will find
the violin upon the cabinet in the
other room, where l keep all that Is
left me-"
Rising, Di Prano spoke gently:
every good. Good night old friend.