San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-12-24

the DIVA herself, as well as TO be ner SUD-
stitute. It's smart notion, but / ex-
pect it'll do better to talk about than to
try. She'd slip up somehow. She might
carry it out for day or two, but when
you come to two or three months, that's
another story! 1t would take better
actress than I've ever come across to-
''She won't have to act at ALL" Joce-
Ign interposed. 1.-THE public of course
will have made up its mind beforehand
that she is the real original diva, and
the more unsophisticated she appears
the more convinced and charmed they'll
be. They'll take her innocence to be the
diva's consummate hypocrisy, man alive!
and any unfamiliarity she may show on
the stage to be the perfection Of acting
But, for that matter, when once they've
heard her sing they wouldn't exchange
her for all the divas in Christendom"
IF she can sing-yes" said the i'm
presario rather specifically.
Ibid you ever happen to hear of a
gentleman by the name of Dorimar?"
inquired Jocelyn. putting down his
wristbands and folding his handsome
hands ON the edge of the table
"Old Dorimar? Rather! Best man in
the profession. Dead now, poor old boy!
All, if he'd only kept his voice.
"Dorimar was the instructor men
toned just now. He went up one day
to hear her try her voice, and the conse-
qnence was he stayed three years to lis
ten to it. He told me month before he
died that she was the finest soprano,
with the grandest method. he'd ever
known"
THE devil he did! Dorimar was no
fool, that's fact"
II found her out before he did. If it
hadn't been for me where wolld you be
now, friend Moses"
That's all right; but I've got to hear
her first"
That's why l told you to make your
arrangements to be out Of town tonight
Well take the noon train up there. I've
telegraphed 'em to expect me. Well
settle with her tonight, and be back in
town tomorrow morning. Now, as to
terms. You'll have to pay her what you'd
promised the diva"
"Oh, will, will I? I'll see about that"
returned the impresario with shrewd
grimace. mo need of me believing
she's the real diva as well as the audi
cnceI'
I'm that case we won't take the noon
train," said Jocelyn firmly.
"Say, my boy, what's your gamer in
quired the other after a pause, during
which the men had looked intently at
each other "Do you want me to pay
you her salary, and YOU hand her over
whatever doesn't stick to your fingers
is that it? He! he! her,
you're a coarse minded IDIOT" said
Jocelyn brusquely. "You attend to your
business and let me manage mine. !
know what want and how to get it.
If she's not all say she is, of course the
bargains off altogether. If she is, you'll
have to pay for her-that's all. And if
you don't like those terms you can get
out of your scrape yourself-if you canT
.You ought to be rich man, my boy,
one of these fine days" remarked the i'm
presario meditatively. "Well, if she
comes up to your report I'll agree. But
if she doesn't"- F..
eff she doesn't I'll stand the railway
fare there and backl' said Jocelyn, and
with that they laughed and rose from
the table. AS they were passing out OF
the room tall young man, with thick
brown beard and severe blue eyes, met
them in the doorway. He had roll of
paper in his hand.
you're the man I'm looking for" he
said to lingo.
"Halloo, Dillingham;" said Jocelyn.
How comes ON the Temple of the
MUSES."
"All right" replied the gentleman so
addressed, rather CURLY, as his manner
was. He looked at lingo and added,
There's point about the construction
of the stage entrance | must consult
You on"
"Pm in a devil of a hurry" objected
the impresario reluctantly.
II want only ten minutes" Belling-
ham said.
You architects are worse than-oh,
by the way, can't decide about it till
tomorrow anyhow" exclaimed the
other, as Bellingham began to unroll his
paper. He glanced at Jocelyn and went
on, Come to the Office tomorrow after
noon and we'll fix it."
1.-THE workmen will have to wait,
said Bellingham.
Every has to do that" returned