The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-22
A DOOM OF PERPETUAL YOUTH.

Hiawatha. The manager himself admitted |
the fact, and, what was much more con-
vincing. the chorus was paid regularly. |
The costumes were no longer fresh, even |
by gaslight; the contralto had almost be-
come a basso, and the tenor sang in so
confidential a tone that the occupants of
the lone gallery knew him by sight only.
1t was evident, therefore, that the entire
success of what the management called
the engagement extraordinary, rested
upon the plump shoulders of Mile. Qua
verini. Mademoiselle was professionally
golden haired, pink checked and coquet-
ish; the students of the university, known
Throughout the entire state as the Ok
ford of America, were in love with her TO
a senior. When she sang the Last Rose
Of Summer sophomores had been known
to weep, and when the local florist raised
his prices and demanded cash payments,
an extra sack of mail carried the letters
which requested an increase of allowance
Ito meet necessary expenses.
1t was Friday evening and the bill was
THE Bohemian Girl with ION the Banks
of the Wabash" and ''Mammy's Little
Pumpkin Colored Coon" interpoiated by
special request Mile. Quaverini as usual
scored great hit. She responded affably
to repeated encores and appeared again
and again, flowerladen and smiling to
but the manager knew what eloquence was
required to induce her to appear for one
last ravishing smile after she had fatty
refused to remain out of her bed another
moment to please anybody: he knew also
that the last song was due to his wisdom
in concealing her wraps-he knew, but he
was far too wise to tell.
At last, the curtain was rung down: the
tenor and the ccntralto had their final diff
ference of opinion, and the manager went
off to visit the rival newspaper Offices and
tell the editors of the triumph of his star.
The papers were both weekly, and even
under the most favorable circumstances,
would not appear until the following We'd
nesday afternoon. but the manager did it
from Iorce CT habit.
Nile. nuaverini put On her overshoes
and, having escaped through the box Office
TO avoid the whole freshman class. in
waiting at the stage door. she reached the
Imperial Hotel, block away.
Ask the clerk If there is any mail for
me-" she said to the sleepy porter, glanc-
ing at the little knot of loungers in the
office with a mirthless professional smile.
There were two letters and the clerk
entrusted them to the porter, with his
love to the prima donna; the latter being
received with a snort OF scorn by the chCc-
olate-colored emissary.
Say isn't she beaut?" said Strong
of naughty naught. whose father was re-
ported to be wealthy, and who. weighing
about ninety pounds, longed to be an ath
lete.
"she is. and that's fact" admitted the
clerk.
About twenty-five, should say OBJ
served Baker. ninety who was TWEEN
ty.
''M-twenty-five. l should say replied
the clerk with a battered. worldly weary
air; she doesn't look it, of course. but wo-
men are deception A fact to which his
hearers paid. the tribute of a sigh.
Mile. Quaverini tried Miss Frosts voice
yesterday, l hear observed Baker. with a
sdelong look at Strong. 1T seems that
she has an idea of going on the stage
1T seems TO me that singer should al
ways have yellow hair; such-such as Mile.
Quaverini has. for instance" returned
Strong. with great apparent Indifference.
II haven't heard Miss Alice mention any
such intention myself"
Upon which. the clerk tore himself away
from an affectionate interview with small
mirror hung up inside his desk, to remark,
facetiously, Il guess you haven't heard her
remark much upon any subject since the
Quaverlni Opera Company came, have
you?"
Mile. Quaverini, in the seclusion of her
own apartment. yawned as she glanced at
the two letters in her hand. One of them
bore the address of a firm OF New York
attorneys.
IT'S about that breach of contract bust
ness" she said TO herself We'll, that's
Smiiers' business-he attends to the ad-
vertising.'
She shifted the other letter, disapprov
ingly Musk" she said. Ugh, How |
detest it. That's what l get for not deny
Ing the fairy story Smilers told that st
Louis reporter about my fondness for ii.
I've had letters scented with it in every
college town we've struck since then.
Squallni says | ought to be thankful to
get them now under any circumstance
never knew a contralto yet that wasn't
jealous
She threw up her plump arms yawning
| long and loud. IF only dared let that
| massage go over tonight-and If l only
dared to have a beefsteak and bottle OF
beer instead of a cracker and a cup of hot
water | can't risk it. though; eternal vigi
| lance is the price of a waist line nova
days AS for wrinkles. I'll soon have as
many as a college girl, if l don't give up
this continual smiling
| She had taken off her wraps now. and
| she picked UP the muskscented letter and
! opened it. VIII Mile. Quaverini overlook
! the slightness OF her acquaintance with
| WiIfred Strong. jr., and partake OF a little
I
| evening"" she read. Unless Mr.. Strong
receives a refusal. he gili+await Mile Qua
verni with carriageSat 4he stage door at
| the close of the perfOrranee.'
| 4 suppose I'll have to go" she frowned.
| 1T is that pretty boy Smilers would intro
| duce to me after the matinee on Wednes-
| day. He says his father OWNS a paper in
| PushvilIe and can help us. Well, it's a
| bore but it's better than one night stands.
/ Inft nal n ,rir ri
who haG me try her voice the other day is
| a sweetheart of his HOW reproachfully
| she looked at mel" as she threw back
| her head to laugh, she noticed the huge
| bunch OF roses she had received that night.
| With something of her stage manner, she
caught them up, crying: Il love you.
pretty things, II is almost worth being al
ways Young TO have you sent to me like
this, What's this? Bah. how silly"
| She flung away the card with its penciled
! lines and proceeded to arrange the flowers
| carefully in the hideOusly decorated ice
| pitcher When she came back from depos-
iting them on the window sill. she lit the
other gas jet. AS she did so. her eyes fell
on the TWO plot 1grai his popped against the
| mirror.
Poor Norma" she said. half sadly.
| How she does hate having mother on
| the stage This is what | get for having
| her brought up out of the profession" She
| took up the other photograph and kissed it.
Dear little man, TO think that his grand
| mother has 10 see him by stealth lest her
| understudy find out his existence. and
thoughtfllly mentions the fact TO the re-
| porters"
She had removed her makeup before she
| spoke again Then she said: Strong
| seems to me that name has familiar
| sound. Wait yes it must have been his
father who originated the plan to take the
| horses out of my carriages and draw me to