The times., 1898-08-14

also white bookshelves lined with books
in white and gold bindings. Music was
Uttered about everywhere the sheets
scattered on the piano and on the floor,
as If their mistress had suddenly been
interrupted while searching for some
thing. and left them so. In one corner
also was another American production
an Edison phonograph. Here Calve may
amuse herself by listening to the repro
ducion of her own beautiful voice, or
render criticism where she sees a flaw.
The dining-room doors were drawn
back, revealing a long, low room in dark
walnut, and red panels. In the center of
long table on which was spread white
cloth strewn with daisies stood a smok-
Ing tea urn, circled with old-fashioned
china cups. 1t was Mime. Calve herself
VINO brought me cup OF tea. in both
her hands. That is a Calveism. She does
her hospitalities with both hands. because
she has warm heart bubbling over with
good viii for everybody. She gives you
both her hands when you enter and il
was with both hands she held out for me
the cup OF fragrant tea, making believe
she was afraid Of dropping it,
Nine. Calve smiled when I asked her
If she planned to joint the victims of the
Wagner craze and begin TO study German
roles 'oh, perhaps 1 may; I cannot tell
But IL will not be this year. / am not
sure she said. showing all her even
teeth. that my mouth is made for Ger
man opera"
She declared, in apparently good faith.
that she is fond of her new role in Sapho.
But there are other stories current than
the one Calve tells. She does not deny
herself it is one of the hardest roles she
Sings. The role of Sapho is about the
only one IN the opera, and besides the
orchestra plays only c1mpanimant
music throughout the piece almost. This
makes the strain something gigantic IN
on Sapho Nine. Calve lies in bed all the
day before she sings it. preparing for the
ordeal-some one says she cries ali day-
and she lies in bed all the next dav after
to rest. She has been obliged to give I'M
once and so down to Beauheu on the
Mediterranean for rest. But out of
personal friendship for MasSanet and
because she Is too loyal TO break her con-
tract with the Opera Comique CaIve will
sing Sapho on 10 the bitter end
But Calve in Sapho, Calve in long trail
ing robes of sorDbre velvet I am afraid
dhe American public will not take kindly
10 them and will demand again Calve n
hoyden toilets of short skirts ard peasant
rags.
Always amiable. Calve was Just start
her latest photograph in that same long
black velvet robe which she wears in the
first act of "Sapho," when some one
calied-I heard the name of Jean de
Rszke-Caave excused herself and left me
TO mount to the sacred precincts. her
boudoir, with an American girl. a friend
OF hers ana her constant companion in
Paris.
The first thing I saw when I entered
the private quarters of this bachelor-di-
"a 5 abode was the bed. It is the biggest
thing in the room, at least once and A
half as big as any had ever seen before.
And it was all white and soft and downy
like baby's bed at Inat, all lace and
ruffies and frills. A real Spanish lace
counterpane over white satin covered up
everything except the brass posts. A
high canopy adj silk-lined and from which
depended more Spanish lace. reached al
most to the ceiling
And what wonder, a woman who has to
lie in her bed whole days at a. time to
garner up her strength for the tremen-
dous strain of grand opera nights who
receives her intimates. propped up among
her cushions, has need of commodious
and luxurious couch. 1t Is a case of when
a bed IS not a bed, but whole boudoir
in itself.
On a. lfltle carved JaDle de nult close to
the head, stood a student lamp with a
pretty rose shade Beside it on the table
was the score of an opera, a book of verse
and a prayer book. Here was also a
bottle of smelling salts and a little jewel
casket for finger rings. Just over this
table. hanging against the wall, was a
fine etching of Rachel in her famous aeath
scene. Suspended from beneath it was a
crucifix and rosary.
An artistic rosewood dresser of an
tique build stood over in one corner. its
broad beveled glass half concealed by
fichu of Spanish lace, and spread out on
the top was all sorts of toilet articles in
ivory and old silver, too numerous to
mention or describe. There were brushes
and combs. hand-mirrors, scent bottles,
manicure outfits. shoe horns, pin trays
and what not. Easy chairs with Russian
fur rugs strewn about were placed tempt
sngly in cozy corners and upholstered
hooks. ,N
4 The bathroom door stood ajar. I could