Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-06-25
SOPRANO AND TENOR.
BERTHE HEYTESMERE'S STORY.

LET me begin like an "acting edition"
Scene: Miss Alice Rawnsley's drawing
room, Is Burleigh Place. Bayswater. A
quantity of musical publications, songs,
programmes of concerts, etc., streWn
about, betoken her profession. She is
seated at the table, talking to BERTHE
Heytesmere, moi qus Uous parEe
"1hat is the exact state Of the case" [
say, replacing a letter in its envelope 'It
is written with decision, very black ink
and an entire absence of beating about
the bush. fl do not forthwith set about
making a very serious proposition to-
girl whom | particularly dislike-which
unfortunately precludes the possibility of
my making similar proposition to girl
of whom | am particularly fond-Mr
Luttrell Will cease to be enabled to sub
scribe himself my affectionate uncle,
George Genial person, Uncle George,
but decided!"
There was, [ may admit to you, more
than leaven of deceit in my speech NV
relative was not behaving like the tradi-
tiOnal uncle In a comedy (who probably
derives some of his characteristics from
Sir Anthony Absolute, and insisting on
my summarily uniting myself to a lady of
his choice for the qualification of his
screwed up my courage, and ventured to
tell him of my attachment to Alice of
which he strongly disapproved; but as
there happened to be certain young wo-
man OF large wealth and considerable un-
attractiveness, about whom Alice did me
the honor of exhibiting much jealousy,
and as such portions of the letter as [ had
read to her admitted of arbitrary inter
probation, made up my own story-for,
OF course, | was anxious to avoid hurting
poor little Alice'S feelings by confessing
that my uncle objected to her 1t was
very hard to take it all coolly, for his dis
pleasure meant the withdrawal of the lib
eral income he had hitherto allowed me;
but could not show that before Alice
CAS- for me, [ can't change, you know"
she said; "but [ will never consent to be
a cause of quarrel between you and the
uncle who has been SO kind to you It
shall not be through me that you-now,
don't, BERTHE [ want-don't. I want to
talk sense''
"You shouldn't attempt impossibilities,
little girl; and listen to me- I read you
extracts from the letters partly because
you made me do so, and partly because |
wanted you to know how matters stand
on see that you are not the bone of con-
tentlon between my uncle and myself-it's
much more osseous subject than you,
dear Of course it is nuisance, great
nuisance; but not great enough to make
US despond and though | have no def
mite plans at present, I shall soon see my
way"
'sAnd don't you think, BERTHE, that I
ought to accept Betterton's engagements"
she asked
Il hoped that you had done with sing
ing forever, and hate the idea of your re-
Stunning the protessiOn-especially on the
stage You'll travel about | don't know
where, and | shall never see you," [ self
ishly added.
81 think / had better take the offer, dear,
for if Pm not busy shall nope; and
there's nothing doing in the way of con-
certs-nothing at ALL Besides, it's worth
having, you know, twelve guineas week
and travelling expenses"
Il don't like consenting-however do
as you think best It won't be for long I
hope. Betterton doesn't want an active
and intelligent young man in the scene
shifting line, [ suppose?" said I, trying
to raise the feeblest of jokes. Don't you
think should look we'll in paper cap?"
would you sing, Bertie?" she said
eagerly. "But no, that wouldn't do"
81 don't expect it would, little girl.
Betterton seems a very good sort of fellow,
and | should be happy to afford him any
qualification; but | don't think my rem
dering of In cielo benedetto,' from the
'Lombardi,' for instance, would have the
effect of transporting him to the place in
question"
"Be serious, BERTHE" she said, with a
futter of excitement in her voice and fin
gers as she searched through little pile
of letters on the table. "Who does sing
In cielo' in tune? See what Betterton
writes" and she handed me his letter, and
pointed to passage which | read:
II shall be in town on Tuesday, and
WILL call about three to give you any In