Arizona sun., 1948-09-10
Gee
FICTION
Corner

l. about her, and cries of Bravo"
rent the air of the staid old Music
hall. Even through the din, Marya
could remember the first time she
had heard Louis play. 1t was the
day she had left her music on the
train-a brief case filled with sheet
music. Even then she had known
that this day would come-the day
for which she had waited. But she
would wait no longer. She remem-
bered how she had gone to their
house after church. It was the tlrst
summer she stayed in the city TO
work at Hull house. '
At the social center she had met
Eleanor, Louis sister. They were
such a charming family, the Alva-
nois. Mother and father, first gen.
GRAFTON immigrants from Italy, and
the children were American as only
the children of immigrants can re-
joice in the land of the free.
AS she slipped into her coat to
leave Carnegie hall, Marya re-
membered that other day. She
had taken the train to Kedzie ave-
nue., and then followed the long
streetcar ride to the south SIDE.
They had invited her for dinner,
but they had asked her to bring her
music so that she might sing for
them.
When she arrived, dinner was
ready. They had been to church
early so that they would have all
in readiness for her visit. Albert
Mr.. Alvanio-was not home. Albert
travelled for a drug company, and
frequently had to be on the road.
In fact, the only time she could re-
member having seen Albert was at
the concert later. But Carmen and
Eleanor and Louis were there. And,
of course, Mrs. Albert was there.
Talking. Talking and chattering all
the time, and yet, accomplishing all
the things necessary on the part
of perfect hostess.
What a jolly, wonderful dinner it
had BEEN They ate spaghetti and
artichokes. She especially remem-
bered the artichokes, because it was
the first time she had eaten them.
They had to show her how to pull
out the little spines and slide the
soft, pulpy, white meat off between
your teeth. And they had served
chestnutS for dessert.
Then Adele-that was Mrs. AL
vanio-was saying,
And now, Miss Ames now'
you sing for us!'
Marya. had sung for them, huge
dinner Notwithstanding. She, sang
the songs she was studying =
beautiful melodies from the operas
of their beloved Italy, songs OF re-
ligion, love songs all the songs
in that brief case. Mrs. Albert had
accompanied her and sang with her.
They all sang.
Then a group of noisy young peo'
pie from the settlement house clubs
Joined them. Carmen played the
cello, Eleanor sang, Marya sang
again, and they finally coaxed Louis
to play the violin. Louis was TWEEN
ty. just Marya's age, but he was sc
shy. Louis played for them, resting
his round, somewhat boyish face
on the chin rest of the instrument
His black, sparkling eyes danced
with the music as the inarticulate
strings became the medium of mag
ic. His, eyes danced like the tar.
antelle that he played. And all the
music of the ages poured from those
strings.
Marya sensed that this was the
zeal Louis. Louis with the laughing
olack eyes. and the tight ringlets
Of raven hair. When Louis stopped
playing, the others were noisy again
but Marya sat quietly in the chair
contemplating the magic artistry o.
Louis. They wanted her to sins
some more, but she refused. How