The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1939-04-29
The HeQrt Sonc
By OSCAR YOUNG
@ Associated Newspapers.
WNU Service.
BY OSCAR YOUNG

" auIlllt' Ildt SIIllle was wholly false
and summoned only to reassure De.
lora Smith.
But, perhaps, Geraldine, you can.
not afford to let my share of tha
rent go and still advance me the S40
l need"
Forty dollars" thought the girl
in amaZement, chow in the world
can I do it? 1t simply means IN
have to draw it out of nv rainv.
day savings. And then I'll have n
pay all the rent" Geraldine sat lost
in thought, forgetting that she was
supposed to reply.
I'm planning to leave my violin
with you as-security.
Why, Miss Delora, that's absurd
Why should you speak of security
when it's matter between friends
I'm very glad to be able to ac-
commodate you"
The strained look left the tired
middle-aged face and Delora's opti.
mistic expression returned. cts
such a wonderful chance, my dear.
l never even hoped to visit Green.
vile again, my earnings have been
so inadequate lately, but now can
see my old friends and 60 through
the house where l was born"
The more practical of the two
swallowed a sigh. This unusual de-
mand on her resources meant that
she must give up her intention of
getting a season ticket for the SYM
phony concerts. And Tom had prom.
lSed to reserve seat for himself
up in the gallery. She knew that he
had wanted to treat her to the seat
but his mother was i'll and his mon
ey was needed. Now if she tele-
phoned her admirer that she'd
changed her mind about going to
the winter concerts he might be-
lieve her to be piqued because he
had not presented her with them. If
only she had not said anything about
it. She could not, of course, hint at
her reason for not going. Delora
Smith was absurdly proud and would
refuse the invitation that opened up
a vista of happiness if she had any
idea of what the loan of $40 really
meant. Delora was visionary, lv-
ing from month to month on the
scant returns for her exquisite nee
dlework.
'Pn pay everything back when
/ return" DelOra was saving, her
cheeks quite rosy with anticipa-
ton, land, Geraldine, if it isn't abb
solutely convenient l can sell my
violin. You remember, Mr.. Homer
offered me $40 for it."
Geraldine was tempted to answer
that she thought that an excellent
price for an instrument that was
never used. 1t was not even an
heirloom but violin that had been
given to Delora's father as a gift in
return for great kindness.
Il cannot play it and it's of no
use to me, but, Geraldine, it does
look so nice and musical lying
across the end table Don't you
think it really lends an air of re-
finement to our tiny living-room?"
To Geraldine it was merely some
thing to dust, for Delora had put the
shabby old case away in the top Of
her closet. But if it meant bit Of
beauty in the barren life of her
friend, the girl wanted her to keep it.
Tom was upset at Geraldine'S
change Of plan, for he had bought
his own ticket, and Delora returned
IN a day of bitter rain and caught
cold. Her visit had been pleasant
but her illness now frightened her,
Geraldine lost two days work at the
office to care for her and had drawn
again on her savings for dainties
for the sufferer. So, instead of feel
ing self-righteous over the fact that
she'd been able to do a favor to
Delora, Geraldine wished she had
not tried to play providence.
There's the telephone. l expect
the doctor wants my report"
1t was Toms voice that answered
her. Il called for you at the Of
fee" he said contritely. Have you
been ill?"
Geraldine explained with a glad
little thrill in her heart the circum-
stances and Tom, evidently sorry
for his former churlishness, said he
would be right out to call.
He arrived with bunch of roses
for the invalid and then, his glance
falling upon the violin in the corner,
asked if she thought Delora would
enjoy some music. Through the open
doorway Delora listened raptly to
the lifting notes of the Gypsy Love
Song" that took her back to the
moments of lost youth.
But Geraldine sat amazed at the
depth and resonance of the music
why, Toni" she cried. THAT is
real music. l had no idea you
played at ALL"
He laid down the bow and looked
over at her with a puzzled CLEAN
in his eyes. Il never had such an
instrument in my hands before" he
acknowledged. Where did you find
such a treasurer"
She told him of the $40 offer made
to Delora.
He examined the date mark and
then made telephone call to mu-
sic dealer.