Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1896-05-25
CHAPTER LII.
REUNION.


pressed not to repeat her appearance
upon the boards Of the theatre, she
found not so easy in carrying out.
When she first mentioned it to the
signor, his distress and vexation
knew no bounds.
What?-after all the time and labor
she had spent, after the unequalled
reception which had been accorded
her by an enthusiastic audience lin the
face OF the brilliant promise Of success
was she to insist on blighting all
their hopes, and running her own
prospects? The good little man was
in a state of frenzy, and seemed about
to throw himself at the feet Of his
obdurate pupil.
'sBut do not mistake me, signor,"
said Ida, really moved by this touch
ing appeal in which not one word OF
his own dashed expectations had tax
en- part; II am as anxious as ever to
turn my singing to account, and, in
deed, | hope and trust to do credit to
my instructor, and prove far more
worthy of you than [ can yet have
appeared. But it must be in the con-
cert-room, or in any less public situa-
ton than that of the theater. do
not like it; it pleases me not at all.
Besides, you know how disqualified |
am for any prominent part.
"Povera," the sympathetic little
italian murmured.
The ten days had passed, the birth
day was come and gone, but there
had been no leisure for the anticipat-
ed visit to Sandcombe.
Engagements poured fast in upon
the little house at Kensington: matin
ees musicales, concerts, dejeuners,
public and private reunions. Any
where and everywhere, music and it's
PROJECTIONS being the desideratum, no
arrangement was complete which did
not include the new ''star OF song as
she was christened by some OF the
Journals, amusing Ida very much, as
she maryelled what deception OF star
that might be which appertained to
vocalization.
AS her friends had shown her, and
with justice, the season would soon be
past; then she would have ampletime
for recruiting her strength and making
fresh arrangements; meanwhile, she
could not do better than improve the
present occasion, and, as Spangles
put it, "make hay while the sun
shone."
1t was an exciting time for all con
cerned.
The little signor had enough upon
his hands now; the reputation OF his
skill was so far heightened and
glorifed by the accession OF the new
luminary, his pupil, that they were
fortunate who now obtained the
favor Of his attendance.
The arrangement and supervision
of all affairs connected with Ida's
engagements devolved upon him, and,
as she on no occasion travelled with
out her mother, he was their faithful
and efficient escort.
ooh, dear, it is a wearying life,
mother" she said, one day, as she
sank into a chair, fatigued with the
evenings exertion, which had been
more than usual-''these late break
fasts, these elaborate toilettes, the
sameness OF these public displays! II
it were not that | live in the thing
itself, that when I open my lips to
sing | forget all else, and that can
hope and fancy it does give enjoyment
at least to some-if it were not for all
this, [ could never, never livethe life. y
cit is q great triumph for you, my
love. A merciful compensation
Heaven in it's goodness has granted
you?
eyes, and most thankful indeed I
am. But what meant to say is, that
the sake of the money only | am sure
could never win me to the profession.
All, mother dear, we little thought,
when fused to long for something to
do to help you get money-do you re-
member? little thought! Thank
full! Oh, indeed, | am more thankful
than ever can tell in words"
Yes, with fame and name, came into
their solid accompaniment, in such
profusion as to astonish those hither-
to unacquainted with the enormous
price which talent commands, minis
tering to the enjoyment OF the wealthy.
The hlgh-principled girl felt there was
almost something wrong in claiming
such exborbitant returns for that
which was to her a pure, unqualified
pleasure.
"Why, many a poor soul tolls his
best days out from dawn to sunset,
and never realises such sum
as that" she would say,
when the signor brought for
her approval the terms OF some
new engagement he had entered into for
her.
Luckily for Ida, the little man, had
no such scruples; and drove as hard a
bargain, and wavered and held off be
tween competitive bidders for the
great attraction OF the day, as if she
had been the keenest and most vo-
racious Acknowledging prima donna
who ever delighted the ears OF three
generations OF opera-goers.
'Ihat Italian chap is making a
good thing Of it, III wager" one
would say ''Egad, he knows the
value OF all the notes he's brought in