The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-01-04

and put it under his arm, murmuring
confidentially in her ear, ''How would
our little Beatrix like to pay all her ia
theirs debts. and setup the family ON it's
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
first over miscellaneous topics, for Mr..
Randolph was somewhat at a loss how
to present the all important subject to
bis 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.
Il 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. 1 said brought you fame and
fortune; but, in fact, 1 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. 'sOh, papa, can II
she said in low voice.
sit is painful, of course, TO contem-
plate such a thing" Mr.. Randolph re-
piled, looking down in his plate with an
uneasy, eYasiye air; "but we are poor
folks now, you know, and we must do
the best we can. We can only hope,
my dear, that the necessity will not -
NOh, but it is not that!" exclaimed
the girl, interrupting him, and tremu-
lous with excitement; ''but tossing, papa
to sing in real opera before real au-
dience! 1t is the best thing in the
world! But can [ do it, do you think?
Am able? Would Professor -Derimar
have wished it? I would rather"-she
was going to say ''marry Mr. Vinal, but
changed it to, 81 would rather do any
thing than disgrace Professor Dorimar. $
''You just leave all that 10 me, young
lady" said the impresario, nodding
good naturedly Il take the risks
You'll not disgrace Dorimar nor nobody
else. You're as good as the best of 'em
though it's money out Of my pocket tc
tell you so! You'll need some drilling
about the stage business of course; that
But don't you worry. I'll fix it all right
You've got month or six weeks re
hearsals, and you'll catch on as quick a.
most gals, I guess"
Thus far the glory and delight of the
merely musical aspect of the adventure
had so dazzled Beatrixs eyes that sht
had thought Of nothing else, but now
new idea entered her head.
s'Am to be paid for doing this?" sh,
asked, glancing from her father to Joce
Ign. "Of course [ mean by and BY
l succeed. Is that what you mean
when you talked about my winnin.
, fortunS' But 1 would rather not MAX
money IN that way-I would rathe
make it 40 some other way than by sing
ing, because & = But l couldn'
make it in any other way, suppose,
she added, faltering a little. HSingin!
is all l can do! And, after all, it woul,
be good if my singing would help pa,
orr debts; that would not be unworth
, even of music, would it, papa? wouldn'
, take money to get rich, but l would t
: prevent your being troubled any NOR
by : Oh, papa, can it be true
{ I'm sure you are very kind, Gen. lingo
and thank you for telling him of me
, Mr.. Jocelyn."
: This speech-a broken medley of mu
: steal tones, smiles, wet eyelashes, pause
} of reflection and eager utterance-com
3 p1eted the generals captivation. H
: thumped his fat fist down on the table
, cloth and exclaimed, ''By Jupiter! ger
' tlemen, move we drink the health c
t the new prima donna"-
9 ''And christen her at the same time,
t put in Jocelyn quickly. ''You haven
t heard your new stage name, Beatri,
S Henceforward you are to be known t
s the world, not as Beatrix Randolph, br
g as-what is it, general?"
e "Mademoiselle Mariana" said Inigt
e f'Here's Mademoiselle Marana's healtl
d boys! May she stand at the top of til
profession, and sing pearls and diamond
!" like the gal in the fairy tale! Down 81
Il goes!"
= Cup she goesl you mean," said Joe
;, Ign laughing. well, mademoisell
S how do you like your new name?"
q cts very nratty' answered she. ssh1