New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-10
IN THE FIRST PERSON.
by MARIA LOUISE POOL.
XIII.
XIII.
FAREWELL. LEONORA."


not know anything clearly. l have never been
certain that those mornings with the Signor were
If benedt 10 me: they gave me such conviction
that wa more of a machine than anything eisc'
Ru. 7 used tn recall what had been told in the
10 Of summer: First be as accurateas machine
So submitted on the whole gladly Every even
ing was In the rear Of that box at the theaie
listening and watching-ah. how did listen anu
watch, found that Bathsheba. though an uh-
reliable singer. was frequently very Telling
one. and that she had many admirers maverick
s.rc sunerhIv bu. there were moments when his
voice showed how much he had useo IT, anu
whom nc did not quite rise to the occasion. HIS
stage presence however always had the erect vi
great and magnificent success. and was con-
<usinr TO one not versed in the technicaiities OF
vocal performance
As for me- you may be sure was scre"eu "p
10 a pitch where everything vibrated across my
nerves But had never felt so strong IN my me-
nor so capable of accomplishing Whatever
should undertake.
al Trovatore'' was announced Tor the Mohua!
NIGHT following this week. And, of course, MISS
purc,man was advertised as the Leonora. On
that afternoon she ordered rehearsal OF the
who,e thing an order that obeyed with some
grun,bNne az the company had been playing the
onera In every city where it had stopped through
the winter.
Miss Runciman came to me as soon as we had
left the dining-room Of the hotel.
..you are TO rehearse in my place this AFTER
noon' she said.
I bent my head. 1t was my duty to OBEY.
"And now wish you to listen to what tell
YOU: You are not to sing out fuiiy' go through
everything 80 that the rest OF them VIII not
know how you can sing. That's my whim. VIII
you do 500"
Again assented.
You may be called upon suddenly 10 take my
place. may have a cold-a sore throat--a 1eVer
the cholera"-here the speaker paused TO iaugn
with the bitterness which was often In her man.
M of late. You are summoned You 90 as wen
e.I,ou can in the emergency 1t is also my whim
70 have YOU do this. That Is ALL No-coine
back"
/ returned.
"yes am afraid-but mean to do the best
can, all the same.
KNEW that my voice trembled as spoke
Miss Runcman's eyes. somewhat hard, were
Nxed on nv face as she asked careessly
"Have YOU ever told me what you think OF MT
Maverick
don't know precisely what replied. Some
thing IN the wonan's manner confused and per-
picked me.
She walked away and left the ROOM
On the Monday evening was in Miss Runc-
mans dressing-r room at the theatre. she turned
me about and examined me. Then she paoe
Rashy who was with us. pencil my brows and
bring out my eyes more. / submitted. Out
was rebellious inwardly. 1 did refuse to have the
carmine put on my lips, but am not aware Oh
the reason why drew line there
he rehearsal. l
not know The members Of the troupe had been
curious but had not snubbed me very much.
Oddly enough the person who seemed to despise
me unspeakably was Leonoras attendant. Inez.
All Of us rather walked through our parts. so
that my very inadequate singing was not
peculiar but performed the stage business
And now II was evening. Miss Runcman again
drew me to one side. The opera had already De-
gun. Fernando and the soldiers were on the
stage We could hear them singing, ana tramp
ing back and forth. 1. would require some time
for Fernando 10 relate the story OF the gypsy
Rashv was in the garb Of Azucena, her face a
dark brown, big rings in her ears gay out
dingy costume making her picturesque.
In a lull from where we now stood, could de-
tect the occasional clatter Of seats swung down
for late corners. All through the air was that
peculiar odor Of cigar smoke, and perfume ana
brandy and coffee, which pervades behind the
scenes Perhaps il was not brandy. but IT smelled
,lkc H. Miss Runciman herself frequently drank
q cup Of scalding hot bouillon when she came
from a particularly exhausting scene
"You are to stay where you'll sec and hear me
all the time" she said. Il mean TO sing my part
until Act II. Then, without any announcement
YOU will fill my place In the cioister OK the con-
vent You are about to take the veil. You know
the whole From that to the end 1t is you VINO are
Ieonora. Now let us see what the public will say
Are YOU calm? l mean, ere you so excited tha'
you are calm?
She put her finger en- my cold Wrist. doh
know how the pulse beat there but she smiieo
obeyed her TO the letter. had never heard
her sing so divinely. or seen her act so magnifi-
Gently How she sang that first SCOTLAND the
warmth. the ardent sadness Of the "Of love like
thisv' A blackness came over me at thought thar
Iwas TO go on after her. The audience applauded
vigorously-again and again. Bouquets came
she bowed and bowed. could see her eyes shine
with triumph. Perhaps she would change hef
mind and continue through the opera.
But no. She was at my side at the moment
was strung on steel The Count had given his
"Oh fatal hour The nuns were singing within
the convent had or the white gown and veil
vas sorry II was Inez who was my companion
The voices OF the nuns ceased. Miss Runciman
was still with me in what seemed, from the audi
ence to be the convent.
Courage she whispered.
moved forward. the attendant Inez pace ir
the rear She seemed to be shedding tears Agar
heard Miss Runcnan whisper sharply, Cour
age!
Inez and l went down the convent steps on te
the stage. turned toward her and sang, 'Wh!
art thou weeping"
There is very little in this question. mao
boped should not be in the least aware Of the
audience; had hoped that the glare of the foot
lights would make a wall Of fire between me and
the people beyond.
Inez sang her answer Then / went on. / was