Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-05-18


81 thought the agents came to you,"
said Priscilla
$50 did l." said Constance. "but
they don't. You have TO beg them for
hearing. And most of them are mem
well, such men, Priscilla! hate them.
This she said with hot flush, which
faded instantly to make way for sud
den gray pallor
"Why don't you take some one with
YOU" suggested Priscilla.
II am too poor. Besides, it would do
no good. No one can help you but your
self We live as we die, alone We sign
our own engagements. There is honor
among thieves. 1t is the rarest thing in
the world to find honor among vocal
agents. They fleece American girls.
They consider them their natural prey,
and then they laugh behind their backs
for having been gulled, "
"Why don't you 60 home?" inquired
Priscilla; then she drew herself up short
as she thought of Stornmouth.
Constance shook her head. 81 will
never return now," she SAID, until l
am success You don't mind my be-
ing amused now when you speak of
singing in grand opera, do you?'
mo, " said Priscilla obviously. But
American girls have sung there. "
"When they do" remarked Con
stance mournful!y, they are so badly
treated they are glad to get away"
Priscilla scmed to see her beautiful
dream vanishing like the sun behind a
cloud.
IL don't mean to be discouraged, l."
she said.
"You will be the only American girl
studying i'll Paris who thinks who is
not, returned Constance h.o'shly.
Listen. When YOU have consented to
make singing your profession and are
studying, you must not 90 out nights.
Dancing dries your voice II weakcns
your vocal cords You must not speak
in the open air after singing 1t gives
YOU a sore throat. You must not eat
nuts or certain vegetables. II makes
you hoarse. You must not worry. 1t
tires your voice You must walk to
keep up your strength. You must re-
nounce all your friends III order to
have time to work. You must hope
against hope, because you must work
against people who are ahead of you
through their vile talent for the basest
intrigues with less accomplishments,
with utter lack Of refinement, with
nothing holy or reverent in their pur-
pose, with but one idea in their souls
to be seen. | have sung in Italy for
nothing. ] have sung in the provinces,
whore my managers made tiasco and
we We're obliged to close the doors. My
enemies say | was the cause. 1t is not
true.
ut is awfully mournful, said Pris-
ella, with a little shudder, "but you
Are morbid. are you not? 1t seems to me
IF you could be heard by the right agent
you would get on.
"That shows your ignorance, Con-
stance affirmed sadly,
"What are you studying now" asked
Priscilla,
81 am going over old roles and wait
ing. We are all waiting. Every six
months about four of us get an engage
ment, and the other 1896 twirl their
thumbs. Our youth is going; our voices
are not getting younger.
81 would rather" suggested Priscil-
la, ego home and sing for my friends. "
THAT doesn't pay" returned Con-
stance coldly.
'WOuldn you sing i'll church,
"My voice has been trained for the
stage It's the difference between wine
and water, singing dramatically or sing
ing otherwise. "
/ Its funny, isn't it" said Mary
4 dreamily, curiously unaware of the i'll
/ efficiency of her adjective, "it's funny
ism t it, that the one thing we wish tc
do in this world is nearly always the
! thing we can't do or find it hardest &c
do?"
THAT Is Just the reason we wish t.
i do it, said Constance mournfully,
wiping her eyes furtively. Il love tn,
fight, but | can't imagine any one bu
poor girl like me doing it unless il il
necessary.
Society is so hollow" said Priscil
la lyon don't know how things have
changed since you were home dear. w
are all going III for the higher life sucl
as art or mental science. Dancing ant
golting are not enough. "
YES, " said Constance obviously
Then she leaned forward and took tn
pretty speaking face between two ten
der hands.
"Do you know what l would like 70
you, Priscilla?" she said. 81 would Xix
to see you married and settled Man
riage is n woman's sphere, The rest
for us queer cXotics who are tossed on
to battle with the elements through th
force of circumstances. l don t bcliev
a woman, if she told the truth, woul
ever look for any higher sphere tina
living for others if she found tho RICH
person TO live for.
Priscilla frowned, 81 suppose
would suit some persons, she sale
"but feel was born for othor things.
II don't, said Constance firmly
"There are days when | hunger to
taken care of; when | long for hi
} brother or any one to protect me,
} fight my battles for me; when thirl
for little children's arms. Fame dot
not bring happiness. Virtue is its ow
reward, but love is the reward we won
en- want for merit When we miss i
we have missed the great gift "
But men have loved your"
"Thero was man who loved n
: once, " said Constance, "but that WI
, long ago. had dreams, like you, Pri