The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-03-17

As he sat there and listened to her.
with his fat hands folded on his waist
coat, his stumpy little feet crossed one
over the other, and his big head wagging
and swaying in involuntary accord with
the splendid diapason of sound, he was
happier than he had ever been in his
life. Not only was his reputation saved
his outlay secured. and his revenge on
the Russian made certain, but his name
would go down to posterity MS that of
the man who had brought before the
world the brightest operate star of the
age. "I'll do the handsome thing by her
i will, by Jupiterr thought the gen
eral to himself "Thcrc are cases in
which generosity pays 30 per cent, and
here's one of EN-
Beatrix sang for the better part of an
hour, and might have gone on indef
nitely, so far as either she or her audi
tors were concerned, for truly noble
voice rightly trained and managed is
as tireless and untiring as it is beautiful.
But mortal existence is full of petty lets
and hindrances, and Beatrix. being for
the present hostess as well as prima
donna assoluta, was obliged to go and
see about the supper. When the gentle
men were alone the general pulled down
his waistcoat, sat up in his chair, and
after regarding Jocelyu for u few mo-
ments between half closed eyelids nod
ded his head several times slowly.
81 see you are fond of music, general,
said Mr.. Randolph discerningly.
"Well, music and | are under some
obligations to each other" was the gen
erals reply. Now, just tell me, has
that young lady ever sung in publicr
"My daughter ever sung in publicW
exclaimed the young lady's father, with
the air Of n prince of the blood. 1--WE
are not that sort of people, sirv'
"Come now, Randolph, this is be-
tween friends, you know" said Jocelyn.
smiling as one who is superior to preju-
dice. "Great gifts like hers-deuce take
it, you've no right to hide 'em! We're
not living in the feudal ages; what's the
good of girls being talented if no.
bodys to know anything about it? Be-
sides, talent means money nowadays,
and your daughters voice is fortune
If it's rightly managed. Don't you agree
with me, generals"
"Well, great deal depends on the
management" returned that gentleman,
squeezing his large nose between his
thumb and forefinger. "But with good
management - yes - she could make
money, as much as she wants
81 should say she could, as much as
she wants, or as much as you want
either, Randolph, if these stories hear
about your embarrassments have any
truth in EN-"
81 scarcely understands; perhaps you
will explain yourself more fully" said
Randolph, looking from one to the other
in manner that betrayed agitation.
II see you don't know who lingo is"
observed Jocelyn suavely. you've
made such a hermit of yourself up here
Of late years you've dropped out of the
running. Why, lingo, my dear man
simple as you see him sit THERE'S the
foremost impresario and musical man.
ager of the age. He has heard report
OF our Beatrix's powers, and-well, go
ahead, lingo; put it in your own way"
"rll just tell you what it is, Mr.. Ran
dolph," said the impresario, assuming
the reins of the conversation with wave
of the hand. "A few words are best,
when it's about business. l came up
here to find out if your daughter could
sing as good as Jocelyn here says she
could. Well, she's got a fine organ, and
she knows what to do with it; no mis-
take about that! Well, I've got an open
ing and I'll take her in, and I'll pay her
first prices; that's what I'll do. She goes
right on, in opera, under me, and she
makes her fortune; that's all about it!
I'm square man, by Jupiter! and l
don't make no fuss about terms; when /
buy good article pay good money for
it. When | say III make her a boom
I'll do it. When Moses lingo says he'll
do the management the young lady's all
right If she was as homely as q COW and
sung like bull; and if she gets fool to
manage her, or manages herself Gts
about the same thing, she might sing
like an angel and look like Venus and
not make fifty dollars week, and don't
you forget it!'
81 am not accustomed, I need hardly
say" observed Randolph, with an ap-
pealing glance at Jocelyn, and endeav-
oring to appear calm and Indifferent. "to
CouoiucI vi uiSCIsS Sucu IldIterS. nave
always lived, as my forefathers have be-
fore me, upon my private resources,
without reference to trade Of any
sort. However, gentlemen, must
admit that fortune has played me
very scurvy trick, through no fault
of my own; and l suppose that what
You say is true-the good old days
are passing away, and each one of us
has to fight for his own hand. At the
same time it could only be with the
greatest reluctance, and under pressure
Of the severest necessity, that ! could
permit daughter Of mine"--
ITO be-of course-that's understood
put in Jocelyn comfortably. "But you'll
be surprised to find how little annoy
ance there is about 1t, especially since,
in your case, 1t very fortunately happens
that we shall be able to put Beatrix upon
the stage without any ones being aware
who she Is. She will be incognita from