Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1899-02-22
AN UNKNOWN
PRIMA DONNA.

m HERE is-or there used 10 be
IN squalld little street in the
- neighborhood of the British Mu-
scum an clearinghouse whose principal
recommendation In the eyes of Its pa
irons was three-course dinner for j.
cents.
1t boosted "first-class ROOM and
this was interesting on account of the
people TO be seen In ii.
On certain January afternoon, how
ever, the room contained but two Gus
toners. They were girl and young
man-strangers to each other Both
ordered and ate their dinner furtive :,
and both seemed to be ashamed of be-
ing there.
"Will you be offended If l speak to
you? | fancy we are in the same pro-
fession."
IN the same boat, at any rate she
said, with little rueful laugh. What
makes you think soI''
you look musical. Aren't you!
L Sluk, slit Sdlu. Anu sOu'
81 imagine | compose"
"Have you done any good?" inquired
the girl, after a slight pause.
Not yet. | only hope. Have you
an engagement anywhere
Not now, I'm trying for one
Its an uphill life." observed the
young man. with a Sigh.
Hateful" agreed the girl; and there
was silence again.
When they had paid their II cents
they left, but stood at the door to-
gether
She held out her hand TO him and
wished him good-by.
"Good-by." replied he. ooh, one mo-
ment. VIII you tell me your nameT
"Alma Brettan. And yoursT
'Mine is Theodore Farr"
"Any good fortune YETI"
NO. Promlses--Only promises-and
they mean so little" she replied dis
consolately.
They had met at dinner again; they
now met there daily. 1t had become
their habit-the custom of these two
waits in professional London-and each
found delight in the others company.
Il have brought you back the score
of Francesca she said. 81 think |
almost know it by heart"
"You like it?''
at Is really masterpiece"
"And yet no manager will look al It,"
he said, bitterly.
wait! Be PATIENT
81 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 eating house and she Won
dered why. 1t was because he was Ill.
When he recovered and was able to
leave the house. pale and pitiable
object. with his pale face and hollow
cheeks. the first thing he did was to
wend his way to the shabby table
d'hote, and now ii was his turn 70 Won
der, for his fellow bohemian was not
there.
And winter stole into spring. and
spring into summer, but still he did not
see her, and at last he grew to realize
that they would not meet again.
1t was an Easter morning. seven
years later. as she came out of one of
the great railway stations into the
streets of Paris, tired and travel
stained.
The company with which she had
been touring the French provinces had
disbanded and she had arrived In the
capital poor and friendless, In search
of new engagement.
she entered an nnpretentions rcstau-
rant close by, and. while her morning
meal was being prepared, amused her.
self by CHANGING at a newspaper.
M. Thee Far.' The name leaped
out of the page and struck her eyes.
Theo Farr in Paris-in print, An.
other moment showed her that Fran
cesca," a new opera, by an unknown
composer. was TO be produced as a
venture three nights hence.
Her capital was considerably under
SO. She would go TO him and 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 excitedly to
the stage door
m. Theo Farr." the doorkeeper in
formed her, was lodging in the Rue
Tronchet."
In a few moments cab landed her
at the door.
m. Farr. Is he in?' she asked, ex-
citedly. ~