The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-01-17
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A BIT OF GiRLlsH ROMANCE WITH AN
UNRoMAMTlc ENDING.

An Impressionebla nrniden and tho Singer
Who Had Seen Much OF the world-Sho
Got tho Autograph, but After 1t Was
All Over Felt Very Foolish.
I have heard this about a romantic
young girl who became infatuated with
a certain famous tenor last winter:
She saw him in q favorite role, and
his dashing appearance and superb sing
ing made such an impression upon her
that she became ''opera mad," as she
told herfriends, but 'tenor mad' would
lbe nearer the mark.
All her pin money she saved and
turned into seats for tho different per-
.formances.
She bought every photograph Of her
,favorite that she could find and grew
wildly jealous Of the sopranos and con-
itraltos who sang the opposite roles to
him.
OF course she couldn't go on like this
without having q confidant 80 she Sc
lected q school friend and told her all.
There wasn't much call" to it, but
the friend thought it was delightfully."-
romantic.
"Has he ever noticed you, Katiei"
"No," replied Katie, 1T don't think
that he has. There was one time that /
thought he was looking at me over the
lfootlights, and, oh, Laura. I became SO
faint that l was afraid I'd fall off my
seat. But I think he was looking at the
conductor"
eyes, they look Mt the conductor a
good deal, dear. I wonder whyf"
"Oh, I suppose they're fond of him"
Well. they went to three more per,
formances, and by this time Katie vas
q case Of "clean gone"
Laura, dear, if I could just take h
hand and look into his eyes and ask
him for his autograph, I think I'd be
willing to die right there!"
"Idon't SEQ any harm in that"
"In my dying?"
"No, goosiel In your just shaking
hands with him and asking him for his
autograph. You take his best photo
graph, and I'll get a fountain pen, and
We'll go. after the matinee tomorrow"
"To the theater?"
"Why, yes. You couldn't go to his
hotel"
So this plan was agreed on, and a
nice furry poor Katie was in.
She went and heard the opera the
next day in n kind of dream, and when
1t was over rose i'll q white heat Of OK.
citement.
"We must give him time to Dress -
said the practical Laura. $50 we'll go
and have q 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:
We'll, young ladies, what can T do
for you?"
Katie was simply speechless, SO Laura
spoke up.
ave wish to see Mi. -"
"He won't see you. He's gone to his
dinner, anyway. But he's got no time
to see anybody unless you have All up.
pointment with him."
Then Laura the tra2en told q whom.
per.
"Wo have. " she said, pining. Il 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
hotol 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 n tall form appeared in the door.
way, and the tenor stood before them.
A little older looking, not so romantic
in appearance, and holding n napkin in
his hand instead of a truncheon or q
sword-but still the tenor.
He advanced courteously and bowed
as he looked Mt them and OF their cards.
Il do not think / have the pleas.
ure''- he began.
Then Laura burst in with what they
wanted. He frowned n little and then
smiled YEARLY.
81 am at dinner" he said, "and 7
have friends dining with me, but I will
do what you desire"
So they produced the pictures. There
were four instead of ono, and lie signed
them in o bold hand.
"Will You pardon me?" he oueried.
but l am pressed for time. I am glad
to have met you"
Then he turned to 60, and Katie
found her voice.
will you-will you-l-let mo shake
hands with you?" she stammered.
He smiled,
Certainly" he said, and he gave