The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-07-12


playing Beethoven's Sonata
PGthetique with unrestrained
hungry violence. As she listened,
immobile, his fingers crashed on
the chords, raced through the al
legro. touched heavily and mock
ingly she nelodiouS thirds Of the
Andante Movement, crashed again
on the chords preceding more al
legro.
Safely beyond his sight she
listened with racing heart. This
man, she thought, is master Of
technique. but no:-noi an artist
He does not feel the pathos ard
beauty and majesty which Bee
thoVen Tove with notes. He seems
not to play with the knowledge
that Beethoven, stone deaf. wrote
those notes with his heart and soul
and micd. That every movement
every tone of the great composers
music carries a message to Be
faithfully interpreted.
Derek's Interpretation was sacri-
lege. travesty
He stopped playing suddenly
''It's no use!" he cried out in fear
Jan crept softly toward the
stairway, hoping he would be toe
absorbed to notice her. But as she
started upward he called to her.
his voice rasping. at know you
heard. Jan. Come here and tell me
the truth. You seem an honest per-
son, young Merriner."
you must have studied and
practiced since childhood" she
smiled. going to him. 1--WE never
heard more finished technique"
Finished. know have tech
nique. but Pm finished. / wanted
to be concert pianist. Jan. ]
studied in Berlin, Leipzig, Paris
Rome. Music was my life, my love
everything. Great achievements
were propheSied for me. then
I lost the feeling for it. l became
a skilled mechanical robot. No one
would pay to hear me twice and
l knew it. 4 will compose. then
thought. / wrote a concerto, 6
symphony. an opera. l knew even
before they were finished I would
never permit them an addition
Jan, my playing has no heart, nc
soul, no emotion! Why? Why? You
have it. Your Shubert tore into my
heart. What is wrong with me
JAM" His eyes were pitecus, ye'
savage with rebellion.
Perhaps" she said slowly
wanting terribly to comfort him
something vert wrong with you,
own heart and soul"
81 have nonei" he shouted al
her in swift, dark anger. Maybe
l did have once. but / gave them
to a woman and she DESTROYED
themi"
Don't. Derek. don't say that
well. it's the truth and don'I
care who knows it, If it hadn't
been for her-Pll never touch the
piano again. Neveri" He jumped
from the bench and flung through
the door.
$50 il is a woman" Jan unused
hurt. inexplicably saddened. "a
woman and love and music and
creative ability. He's thwarted
twisted. frustrated. And he would
be dead because of it if I hadn't
been curious"
She trembled with the i'm
menSity of what she'd done in
saving him. Saved him for what
purpose? To send him strong and
sane back to the world where he
belonged. and where she did not?
And could she do it even if she
would? A great humbleness
chastened her. made her thought
full. Pity for him took hold of
her, yet pity was only a small
portion Of the unknown and ter
rifying emotion to which her
heart was now giving birth
Empty Purse
Johnny squirmed. Gee, Jan
y | got into a poker game at
the club last night and lost my
shirt! Can you wait till FRIDAY
for my rent?"
Jan was vexed and when she
was vexed. worried or angry shc
pushed her defiant mop of hair
behind her ears and elevated her
small. stubborn chin. Johnny
how many times have | reminded
you that all gamblers die broke
I simply can't wait two days
How about a few dollars on &C;
count?"
Honey, I'm clean as a picker
chicken. I'm lucky / get my meais
furnished at the club. It isn't as
if put you off very often. Two
days isn't long"
Il suppose not. but il Seems
like two years when my purse
empty"
"You wouldn't be stony if yol
didn't have that guy hangin'
around here eating and loafinc
He woke me up banging the plan,
a while ago end | didn't get +,
sleep until dawn. Why don't you
get rid of him? What good is he?
Jan. hit on a spot which wa.
fast becoming far too vulnerable
retorted. That's mn business"
He caught her arm as sht
turned away. IF you need money
bad. I'll try and borrow it at re
hearSal."
She flushed. reSentful she had
to pry money from him when he
owed her twenty dollars for
months rent. '''It might be a good
idea" she saids
To be continued