"Alas, for me," she sighed, "I have not felt it."

"Surely you have been stirred by the wonders man has accomplished in
music's realm?" Diotti ventured.

"I never have been." She spoke sadly and reflectively.

"But does not the passion-laden theme of a master, or the marvelous
feeling of a player awaken your emotions?" persisted he.

She stood leaning lightly against a pillar by the fountain. "I never
hear a pianist, however great and famous, but I see the little
cream-colored hammers within the piano bobbing up and down like
acrobatic brownies. I never hear the plaudits of the crowd for the
artist and watch him return to bow his thanks, but I mentally demand
that these little acrobats, each resting on an individual pedestal,
and weary from his efforts, shall appear to receive a share of the
applause.

"When I listen to a great singer," continued this world-defying
skeptic, "trilling like a thrush, scampering over the scales, I see a
clumsy lot of ah, ah, ahs, awkwardly, uncertainly ambling up the
gamut, saying, 'were it not for us she could not sing thus--give us
our meed of praise.'"

Slowly he replied: "Masters have written in wondrous language and
masters have played with wondrous power."

"And I so long to hear," she said, almost plaintively. "I marvel at
the invention of the composer and the skill of the player, but there I
cease."

He looked at her intently. She was standing before him, not a block of
chiseled ice, but a beautiful, breathing woman. He offered her his arm
and together they made their way to the drawing-room.

"Perhaps, some day, one will come who can sing a song of perfect love
in perfect tones, and your soul will be attuned to his melody."

"Perhaps--and good-night," she softly said, leaving his arm and
joining her friends, who accompanied her to the carriage.

[Illustration: ACADEMY _of_ MUSIC
DECEMBER 12TH--8:00 P. M.

FIRST APPEARANCE IN AMERICA OF
THE RENOWNED TUSCAN
VIOLINIST

ANGELO
DIOTTI

ASSISTED BY

ARTISTS OF INTERNATIONAL
REPUTATION

DIRECTION OF MR. HENRY PERKINS

SECOND CONCERT OF SIGNOR DIOTTI
DECEMBER 14TH]

II

The intangible som