The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-07-19
An Unknown Prima Donna.

eyes OF It's patrons was "a three-course
dinner for IL cents.
IL bossted of "frst-ciass room" and
this was interesting on account of the
people to be seen it.
on q certain January afternoon. how
ever. the room contained but two Gus
toners. They were a glr and a young
rnan-strangers TO each other. Both
ordered and ate their dinner furtiyely.
and both seemed 10 be ashamed of be-
ing there.
sWnl you be Offended II | speak to
you? i fancy We are In the same pro-
fesSion.'
I'm the same boat at any rate" she
said. with little rueful laugh. What
makes you think soY'
You look musical. Aren't your"
.sI sing" She said. And you?"
II imagine / compose"
Have you done any good? ?" inquired
the girl, after a slight pause.
Not yet. j only hope. Have YOU an
engagements anywhere
Not now: I'm trying for one"
"u's am uphill Afe!" observed the
young man with sigh.
Hateful" agreed the girl and there
was silence again
they left, but stood at the door to-
she held out her hand 20 him and
wished him good-by.
"Csood-by.r replied he "Oh. one
moment. win you tell me your nane?"
Alma Brettan. Ana yours?"
'Mine Is Theodore Farr"
ANY good fortune YETI"
mo. Promises only promises--and
.l,.,, ,,,aan ltfleff ha .evtf,A
consolately.
They had met at dinner again. they
now met there daily. II had become
their habit--the custom OF these two
waits in professional LondOn-anl each
found delight in the others company.
II have brought you back the score
OF francesca She said. Il think |
almost know II By heart
You like it?'
'It Is really a masterpiece"
"And yet no manager viii look at IT,"
ne said bitterly.
wait! Be patient"
II am worn out with waiting. Bah,
talk of yourself. No chance Of an en-
gagement still, you say?"
None"
The next afternoon she did not see
him at the eatsng house and she Xon-
UeIeu WHY II iNO. UfNduSf NJ WAS III.
When he recovered and Was able 10
leave the house a pltiable object. with
his pale face and hollow cheeks. the
first thing he did was TO wend his way
to the shabby taOle d'hote. and now il
was his turn To won Ter. for his fellow
bohemian was not there.
And winter stole into spring. and
spring into summer. but still ne did not
see her. and at last ne g.sw 10 realize
,aF
Ii was an easter morning seven
years later, as she came our of onls OF
the great railway stations into the
streets OF Paris, tired ana travel
stained.
The company with which she had
been touring the French provinces had
| disbanded and she had arrived at the
| capital poor and frlendless. in search
! of a new engagement.
She entered an unpretentiOus restaur-
| ant close by. and, while her morning
meal was being prepared. amused her
self by giancing at "A newspaper
M Theo Farri" The name leaped
out OF the page and struck her eyes.
Theo Farr in Paris-in print, Another
moment showed her that francesca,
a new opera. by an unknown composer.
was to be produced as venture three
nights hence.
1tI NApAldl was NOliclINiAb htAGtt
s25. she would go 10 him ani beg of
him. for the old times sake, the favor
OF a small part
She swallowed her meal in ten min
utes and made her Way eXctedly to
the stage door.
m. Thso Farr," the doorkeeper in
formed her, was lodging in the Rue
Tronchet."
In a few minutes a cab landed her at
the door.
m. Farr, Is he in?" she asked ex-
c.tedly.
lie was smoking in an armchair by
the window. and sprang up with ~
exclamation of amaZement
You? Is IL possible? on now slad
ann
Tell me alI,'' she cried, when she
explained her errand TEL me an
You are a rich man.
"Oh. no. no--a poor one / teach ana
write songs-but j have the chahce OF
fame at last The work is being put on
as a stop-gap. so To speak, but j IL
succeeds" He caught his breath. III
it succeeds " was made.
Time flew ana while they were dls-
cussing the possibility OF his securing
her small part at So late 4 date the
door was opened violently ana STOUT
gentleman burst in upon tn IN win
perspiring face.
Theo paled at the sight. lnstlhcuEeiE
he knew the manager mad broHsift-ee'f
news
Your prima donna has the innuehZa'
and Francesca cannot be pfoduceu'
That Is ALL"
The young man stood mot ohless. AZ
a blow his world had crashed ih Iulhs
about him. The next instant Anna
spoke.
"win you trust Francesca music to
me?"
Both men started as II they had been
shot-Theo with hope, tho manager IN
expostulation.
Your" echoed the latter Who are
you?"
~ am nobody" she said calmly.
but II you are wiling. / may be some
one YETI
"But-but you are mad You could
not study the score by Thufsday
night"
The familiar music was lying on a
chair She saw IL. snatChed al ~, ana
thrust II into Theos hand.
PLAY the accompaniment in the
Invocation. she 81 4. ] am soing 10
sing a..
She began quietly. she realized as the
first bars left her lips that she was
singing for the crown of her ambitlon'
more than all. she knew that she war