New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-23

nIctI,re Of Miss Runciman In ermine and velvet
robes, with her head flung up her mana our, t'ie
whole attitude one of queenlike COMMAND, l ieit
my eyes begin to dstend as went on win ore
phetographs-they We're all oe Miss Runclnan,
though in some the features ana eXpressio" "e'e
SO different, not TO mention the dress.
dropped the last card on the table ana turned
to my companion who was still on the hoor oy
the skirt. .o.o,
There was that in my manner that mace me
girl who had again filled her mouth WIN mn PIE a'Ils
once more very hastily drop them into the pam
of her hand
She gazed up at me. , -
Gracious she cried II had betrayed an
ignorance beyond her understanding
I was very uncomfortable. but persisted as
perhaps. was my way. -, $3.50
why don't you tell me?" inquired i sup
"Weu, | should say 'twasn't a secret she
burst out II declare didn't know there was d
person in the civilized world who uidh hno"
what Miss Runciman is
| was aware that had strong desire 10 20
up this girl and slap her; but Suppose o II
vulgar to slap people STOOD sun ana siairI i
I was suffering from curiosity, but | would ask
no more questions. | said stihy that lived IN
the country and that there We're some INNS nihsS
that country people, knew' out there were o'''e'
things that they did rot know.
} Having said this | walked over to the win
dow and gazed into the street, with my PACK 10
the person on her kness. | heard her laush-
ing to herself and l had a feeling Of great
virtue because l did not. even now, go forward
ard give her HIT as we DO When we are
Presently the girl rose to her feet and went
70 the other side OF the room contemplating s sne
skirt on the form, with her head on one side. she
was still laughing somewhat
I'm sorry I'm very funny."1 said severely.
"The idea" she cried, "of asking who Miss
Runcman is'
retorted, but you see every one does not kho"
It,"
so 1t seems" was the response
The girl came toward me. She threw herself
down in chair near me- ana s.retrn ner,, "e'
| Yes" she said, shes actress and she's
more'n that she's opera singer ohe 3 d
prlmy donna-a number one every Time
rs she?"
I suppose my face must have shown the awe
I felt had never been 10 an opera IN my
| life But VIC seminary girls had acted In an
| operetta once and had taken one OF the lead
ing parts. and had wrung my hands and sung
at the very top OF my voice. Inc iocal papers
strong had performed her difficult role with
| surprising facility and effect" | bought twenty
comics of that paper ana sent thein TO as many
| different people with deep black strokes around
| the above remark
| After having received this information asked
| no more questions. | gaZ"d out into the street,
| but saw nothing more than a confused jumbo
| Of men and women There was sort of fear
| some glow me that would every now ana
! tLen. give place 10 a delightful chill. 1t was
! very curious and wonderful thing that ''primy-
! donna" should have come to our house and have
| bought horse Of father
! don't know how long it was that sat there
! locking from the window upon the streets OF the
/ city / saw my father come along with his hands
| thrus. into the pockets of his buster. His hd'
! was on the back of his head and he was whis-
| ting He turned in between the huted pillars
| of the hotel entrance. After a while | became
aware that was watching for MISS kuhcimah,
| watching with all the curiosity and eaSerness
| Of a woman who has not yet ceased to be
child. l wondered what she had said to Cor
| some one touched me on the shoulder. 1t was
the girl who had received me started.
shes c,me" she said. You're to go in
| there"
There as she pointed noticed door opened
| into another room. walked toward it. Miss
Runclman was lying Tack in long chair with
fan in her hand Her hat and gloves were
| thrown the bed near.
You're a good child to wait" she said. "sit
down there where can see you
obeyed. She looked at me up and down. and
| down and w.
81 believe you told how old you were
| twenty-three?
And I'm thirty-hve" she laughed. and then
she sighed. at thirty-fve woman begins TO re-
| prised that she doesn't feel old. And people, In
speaking Of her. begin TO say she was instead
was silent She swung her fan languidy her
| half-shut eyes fixed my face
The critics haven't dared to say she was
about me yet-but they are waiting"
Then suddenly: "liave you a singing voice.
Billy blushed and hesitated Finally
answered:
"Of course you You have what call a
violin face Sing me something"
As ! was silent she said: Anything. you
Frightened almost out Of my senses piped
forth feebly verse Of the first thing | could
think OF. and that happened to be Come, Ye
discOnsOlate. which had sung at the funeral Of
old Deacon Marie tho week before at the re-
quest Of the relatives"
My listener could not help smiling somewhat
When l had finished she exclaimed:
What dismal little thrush 1t is! Now I'll
sing it,"
She sat up erect and began BY the time she
had finished the line "Whore Ger We languish." /
ready TO throw myself at her feet and be-
come hysterical In my admiration. But dl1 no
such thing. sat perfectly still, my eyes cast
down, my hands clasped tightly in my lap. And
! said nothing when she ceased singing at the
you have a good natural voice." she remarked,
'but don't know why you sing coldly."
still.
Il understand that you frightened" she
went on more kindly But we won't talk about
singing any more now | must tell you that am
a woman Of whims; ] suppose every one who
amounts to anything has whims. When saw
you at the farmhouse the other day took n fancy
TO have you along on our trip this summer It's
my vacation. Another within of mine Is to go on
a long carriage trp-llve in the carriage, you
| knOw-stop here and there-get acquainted with
. nature. And want to make sure and not have
any about who will jar. hate TO have n
person me who doesn't know that woman
may have moods. Such people ought TO be shot
And when you going on forty. and haven't
become reconciled to the fact 1t does seem as II
, you are justified in killing people who jar Don't
you think so, Bily%
She spoke in the most genial tone. and she
l held out her hand to me as she asked the last
, | question.
rose and went to her side. She placed her
hand on my arm.
D Il do hope you haven't a lover" she remarked
. and said NO"
Then | don't but II you go In
house-carrage this summer. And | can try your
e | voice. DO you sing in your vage?"
Yes; l sit in the seats" answered.
. "The seats?'
"The choir; the singers seats. mean"
She laughed, seemed to and ther
!, ! laughed again
"Forgive me but you don't know what a pict