The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-15
An Unknown Pnma Donna,

whose principal recommendation IN the
eyes of its patrons was three-eourse
dinner for II cents.
1t boasted of first class room and
this was interesting on account of the
people TO be seen in il.
On certain January afternoon, how
ever, the room contained but two Gus
toners. They were girl and a young
! man-stragers to each other. Both order
ed and ate their dinner furtively. and
| both seemed TO be ashamed of being
! there
VIII you be offended if 1 speak to you?
1 fancy we are in the same profession"
In the same boat, at any rate" she
said, with little rueful laugh. What
makes you think SOP"
| You look musical. Aren't your?
| Il sing" she said. And you?"
| 4 imagine l compose"
| Have you done any gOod?" inquired
| the girl. after slight pause.
Not yet. 1 only hope. Have you an
| engagement anywhere?"
Not now, I'm trying for one"
It's uphill life" observed the young
man, with a sigh.
Hateful" agreed the girl; and there
was silence again.
When they had paid their u cents they
| left, but stood at the door together.
| ed him good-by.
'Good-by.'' replied he. "Oh. one mo-
ment! VIII you tell me your name?"
Alma Brettan. And yours?"
Mine is Theodore Farr." -
ANY good fortune yet?'
mo. Promises-only promises-and they
mean so little!' she replied disconso-
lately.
They had met at dinner again; they
now met there daily. 1t had become their
habit-the custom of these two waits N
Professional London-and each found de-
light in the others company.
Il have brought you back the score Of
Francesca" she said II think l al
most know it by heart
You like it?''
1T is really masterpiece"
And yet no manager will look at 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 earting- house and she wondered
why. 1t was because he was ill., When
he recovered and was able to leave the
house, a pale and pitaiable 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 it was his
TURN 10 wonder, for his fellow-b 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
of Paris, tired and travel-staned
The company with which she had been
touring the French provinces had dis
banded and she had arrived in the capt.
tai poor and friendless, in search of a
new engagement
She entered an unpretentious restaurant
close by, and, while her morning meal
was being prepared, amused herself by
glancing at a newspaper.
M. Theo Farr!" The name leaped out
Of the page and struck her eyes. Theo
Farr in Paris-in printl Another moment
showed her that Francesca a new op-
era, by an unknown composer. was to
be produced as a venture three nights
hence.
Her capital was considerably under SO. /
She would go ii him and beg of him. for
the old times sake, the favor of a small |
part
She swallowed her meal in ten minutes
and made her way excitedly TO the stage |
door.
ed her, was lodging in the Rue Iron /
chet." i
In a few moments cab landed her |
at the door
M FAIR! Is he in?" she asked, ex-
citedly.
He was smoking in an arm chair by the |
window, and sprang up with an excla- /
nation of Amusement
You? Is it possible? On, how glad /
I ann"
Tell me al"' she cried. when she had
explained her errand. Tell me all! You .
are rich mann
20, no, nO-a very poor one. I teach /
and write songs-but I've the chance of /
fame at last. The work is being put on
as stop-gap, so to speak, but if it sue
ceeds-" He caught his breath. If it sue
ceeded he was ''made!''
Time flew. and while they were discuss
ing the possibility ow his securing her a
small part at so late a date the door was
opened violently and a stout gentleman
burst in upon them with a perspiring
face.
Theo paled at the sight. Instinctively
he knew the manager had brought bad
news.
Your prima donna has the influenza,
and Francesca can not be produced. I
That is all
The young man stood motionless. At
a blow his world had crashed in ruins
about him. The next instant Alma spoke.
''Wnl you trust 'Francesca's' music 10
me?''
Both men started as n they had been
shot-Theo with hope. the manager in
eXDostulation.
Your echoed the latter. who are
you?"
4 am nobody" she said. calmly. but
If you are willing. I may be some one
yet
"But-but you are mad. You could not
study the score by Thursday night"
The familiar music was lying on a chair.
She saw il. suatched at il and thrust il
into Theo's hand.
Play the accompaniment TO the Invo-
cation she said. Il am going to sing
il"
She began quietly. She realized a. the
first bars left her lips that she was sing
ing for the crown OF her ambition; more
than all she knew that she was singing
for thu salvation Of the man she loved
He knew IL. too as their eyes met
The mana gers eyebrows lifted. and his
hand shook a little as he turned the
page.
For him 7 love-for him whom ]
adore Her voice rose. flooding the
room. and when u died with the last
chari the manager caught her BY both
hands.
'Madem0.seue. he said. gravelv. y
shall have The honor 20 submit a contract
% YOU this afternoon. Your friend should
be grateful 10 You"