Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-12-27
KATIEANDTHETENOR
A BIT OF GIRLISH ROMANCE WITH AN
UNRoMANTIc ENDING.

Who Had Seen Much Of the world-She
Got the Autograph, but After It Was
All Over Telt Very Foolish.
have heard this about q romantic
young girl who became infatuated with
q certain famous tenor last winter:
She saw him in favorite role, and
his dashing appearance and superb sing
ing made such an impression upon her
that she became "opera mad," as she
told her friends, but "tenor mad" would
be nearer the mark.
All her pin money she saved and
turned into seats for the different per-
formances.
She bought every photograph of her
favorite that she could find and grew
wildly jealous of the sopranos and con-
traltos who sang the opposite roles to
him.
| OF course she couldn t go on like this
| without having a confidant so she Sc
lected school friend and told her all.
There wasn't much "all'' to it, but
the friend thought it was delightfully."-
| romantic.
"Has he ever noticed you, Katief"
| "No," replied Katie, II don't think
that he has. There was one time that
thought he was looking at me over the
footlights, and, oh, Laura, became SO
faint that was afraid I'd fall off my
seat. But I think he was looking at the
| conductor ~
| "Yes, they look at the conductor a
| good deal. dear. wonder why:''
"Oh, suppose they're fond of him.
Well, they went to three more per-
formances, and by this time Katie was
a case of "clean gone. d"
| Laura, dear, if could just take his
hand and look into his eyes and ask
him for his autograph. think I'd be
willing to die right therer'
Il don't see any harm in that"
"In my dying?"
| ono, goosie! In your just shaking
hands with him and asking him for his
| autograph. You take his best photo
graph, and I'll get fountain pen, and
We'll go. after the matinee tomorrow. -
| ''To the theater?"
"Why, yes. You couldn't go to his
hotel"
/ ~ pan was d8ACCu Ou, anu u
nice furry poor Katie was in.
She went and heard the opera the
next day in a kind of dream, and when
it was over rose in q white heat of ex-
element.
ave must give him time to dress, :"
said the practical Laura. $50 Well go
and have cup of chocolate
They dawdled over this refreshment
for 20 minutes, and then started for the
| stage door. A stout, coarse man barred
their passage here, and asked:
well, young ladies, what can I do
for you:"
Katie was simply speechless, so Laura
spoke up.
1--WE wish to see Mr.. -"
'He won't see you. He's gone to his
dinner, anyway. But he's got no time
to see anybody unless you have an ap-
pointment with him.
Then Laura the brazen told whop-
per.
1--WE have" she said, pining. 81 don t
know how we missed him.
well, he's dining at the H
House." said the doorkeeper. HE said
some people might call for him. You
can go there and send in your card
So this they decided to do, and to the
hotel they went.
They sat all a-tremble in the gayly
decorated reception room after they had
launched their cards, and presently they
heard a manly tread.
Nearer, nearer, nearer.
Katie seized Laura by the hand and
shook with emotion.
Then a tall form appeared in the door
way, and the tenor stood before them
A little older looking. not SO romantic
in appearance, and holding a napkin in
his hand instead of truncheon or q
sword-but still the tenor.
He advanced courteously and bowed
as he looked at them and at their cards.
II do not think have the pleas
ure''- he began.
Then Laura burst in with what they
wanted. He frowned little and then
smiled YEARLY.
II am at dinner" he said, land
have friends dining with me, but I will
do what you desire
So they produced the pictures. There
were four instead of one, and he signed
them in a bold hand.
"Will You pardon me:" he queried.
"But / am pressed for time. am glad
to have met you
Then he turned to go. and Katie
found her voice.
"Will you-wiQ you-l-let me shake
hands with you:" she stammered.
He smiled.
Certainly" he said, and he gave
her a strong hand clasp.
The poor. silly child bent forward.
kissed his hand and half fell upon her
knees.
He raised her instantly and said:
| Il thank you for this tribute to the
artist. 1t is not for the man. Ny dear
young lady, am SO years old, and !
have seen too much of the world to EN-
courage the impulses of young girls like
You, who are often not in their right