San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-12-27

about the. same thing, she might sing
like an angel and look like Venus and
not make fifty dollars week, and don't
you forget it,
Il am not accustomed, need hardly
say" observed Randolph, with an APP
pealing glance at Jocelyn, and endeav-
oring to appear calm and Indifferent, ''to
consider or discuss such matters Ihave
always lived, as my forefathers have be-
fore me, upon my private resources,
without reference to trade of any
sort. However, gentlemen, must
admit that fortune has played me
very scurvy trick, through no fault
of my own; and l suppose that what
you say is true-the good old days
are passing away, and each 'one of us
has to fight for his own hand. At the
same time it could only be with the
greatest reluctance, and under pressure
of the severest necessity, that | could
permit daughter of mine"-
ITO be-of course-that's understood"
put in Jocelyn comfortably. 'But you'll
be surprised to find how little annoy
ance there is about it, especially since,
in your case, it very fortunately happens
that we shall be able to put Beatrix upon
the stage without any ones being aware
who she is. She will be incognita from
first to last"
"Ah! that changes the aspect of the
matter materially" said Randolph, look
ing at the ilnpresario "But, it occurs
to me that
The entrance of Beatrix herself at this
juncture prevented the thing which had
occurred to her father from becoming
known She announced that supper
was ready. The gentlemen arose, and
Jocelyn, approaching her, took her hand
and put it under his arm murmuring
confdentially in her ear, "How would
our little Beatrix like to pay all her ia
theirs debts. and set up the family ON its
legs again"
Beatrix gazed round at him with
searching eyes and questioning lips.
The unruly part of her excitement had
been composed by her singing, but the
exalted mood remained, so that she was
ready to expect anything that was not
commonplace. She could not have told
what Jocelyn meant, and yet she seemed
to herself to anticipate what he was go
ing to say. Good news was in the air.
However, for the moment nothing more
was said. Her father was behind, with
the general, and they were speaking in
an undertone. Her heart beat high, and
her step was light. AS they came to the
supper table, and Jocelyn pressed her
hand, she gave him smile which, had
he been worthy of it, would have knight
ed him on the spot. She was young and
knew nothing worse than her own pure
self, and she was ready to give gratitude
without waiting to know for what her
gratitude was due. Experience of the
world is apt to correct this impulse.
The conversation at table wandered
irst over miscellaneous topics, for Mr..
Randolph was somewhat at loss how
to present the all important subject to
his daughter; Jocelyn was busy thinking
over his own part in the little comedy,
and the impresario, besides finding much
/! to occupy his attention in the viands,
was now wholly at ease in his own mind
and dreamed of no difficulties. He had
interpreted Mr. Randolph's scruples as
merely bid for good payment, to which
he had responded in his usual whole
souled style; as to the young lady, of
course she would follow her fathers
lead. OF the three it was Jocelyn who
first spoke.
81 don't see why we should keep this
dear child any longer in ignorance of the
plot we have Matched against her." he
said, addressing the others, but keeping
his eyes caressingly on Beatrix MY
dear girl, | said / brought you fame and
fortune; but, in fact, only brought you
the opportunity to win them for your
self. You have glorious future before
you. This gentleman is the owner and
manager of the new opera house in the
city. All your favorite operas will be
produced there this season., splendidly
set and cast, and you, my dear Beatrix,
are to sing the leading music"
Beatrix grew pale, and turned her face
toward her father. ''Oh, papa, can Il"
she said Ill a low voice.
at is painful, of course, to contem-
plate such thing" Mr.. Randolph re-
piled, looking down in his plate with an
uneasy, evasive air; "but we are poor
folks now, you know, and we must do
the best we can. We can only hope,
my dear, that tie necessity will not
Z ''Oh, but it is not that exclaimed
the girl, interrupting him, and tremu-
lous with excitement; "but to sing, papa
to sing in real opera before real au-