Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1889-09-28

the singer, gayly. giving him her hand,
which be kissed with old fashioned gal
lantry
"Ah, Uncle Ligbtfoot," said Mrs.
Dick Griswold. "you are too young
man TO be claiming an old mans
privileges.
"Nonsensel nonsenseI" said Uncle
Lightfoot. Strengthening his necktie and
looking as pleased as Punch. I'm old
enough to be Helen's father"
He was really old enough to be her
grandfather but it would have been a
cruel person who could tell him SO.
Men and women came crowding in
and out of the prima donna's room, but
Rush noticed that West Hastings stood
his ground and showed no signs of 60
ing. and he also noticed that he stopped
down now and then and whispered some
words in the singers ear which seemed
to give her good deal of pleasure, for
she would raise her eyes to his with
look that Rush would have died for.
He didn't know then that a woman,
particularly prima donna, may look
everything and mean nothing. Finally
there was lull in the gay chatter, and
the manager entc4ei the room, followed
by a somewhat seedy looking young
man with keen bright eyes and well
shaped head. He whispered something
in Italian to Miss Knowlton. An ex-
preston of annoyance passed over her
face, but she was exceedingly polite
when the manager introduced Mr.. Gra-
dy, of The Dawn. who begged that he
might ask her few questions.
The young man was evidently embar-
rassed at meeting SO many outsiders in
the room. and the prima donna, though
she was annoyed at the interview, was
most gracious in her manner. particu-
iarIy as she detected the ends of West
Hastings mustache turning scornfully
upward. and feared that the reporter also
might notice his sneer Aunt Rebecca
would have taken the interviewer under
her protection at once, but she was strik-
ing for bigger game. She had the mu-
sical critic of The Daily Trumpet by the
ear, and was calling his critical attention
to the remarkable fioriture added by her
niece to the grand aria Rush recognized
in the reporter one Of the men he had
seen at the office of The Dawn, and he
listened attentively to learn how the
process of "interviewing" was carried on.
"How were you pleased with your re-
ception, Miss Knowlton% the reporter
inquired,
Il was delighted; nothing could have
been more cordial or more gratifying"
she answered.
'Is the music Of the opera pleasing to
sing"
Thoroughly SO. 1t does not strain
tho voice, yet it displays its best quail
ties"
"What impressed you most in the per-
formance?"
'I can tell you what impressed me the
most. Helen" exclaimed Mrs Dick Girls
void, bursting in upon the interview.
1T was in the scene with Tartalli, when
you took the poor old things hand and
made her come down to the footlights
She hadn't done anything, to be sure,
but your manner In insisting upon her
sharing the applause with you was beau
tiflil 1t almost made me cry; for al
though never heard Tartalli in her
prime | know she used to be favorite
singer, and | always feel tho liveliest
pity for favorites who have outlved their
but who still have to keep be-
fore the public to earn their bread and
butter, Put that in your paper, my dear
sir, and you will have charming Incl
dent" ratified on the vivacious Mrs. Dick.
The reporter thanked her and tho
prima donna also, and bowed himself
out of the room, the manager following
at his elbow "The poor fellow didn't
get much material for an interview
there" thought Rush. Hell have to
make his excuses to the city editor to-
night" The talking was resumed in the
dressing room, but only in the shape of
good nights. West Hastings said some-
thing to Uncle Lightfoot in an under
tone, and the old beau put Mrs. Girls
wold's arm through his. "Ill take you
home, Mrs. Dick; and If it isn't too late,
I'll stop and have q rubber with that lazy
Dick of yours, who, I'll wager, is toast
ing his toes and reading the stock mar
ket reports before the fire."
"I'll gladly accept your invitation,
Uncle Lightfoot, and well leave West to
Helen's tender mercies Will you take
good care of him, Helen, and keep him
out of mischief" said Mrs. Dick.
"If that be possible replied the prilna
DONNA smiling. "Dut in the mean time
| shall have to ask him to take seat in
the green rsom while get ready for tho
street."
At this all the visitors retired, and
Rush hurried off to a room somewhere
up among tho "flies." where he trans
formed himself from warrior OF Troy
into peaceful citizen of New York.