The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-18

the girl, after a slight pause.
mot yet. I only hope. Have you an
engagement anywhere?'
Mot now; I'm trying for one.''
ITS an uphill lifey' observed the
young man, with sigh.
'Hatefulr' agreed the girl; and there
was silence again.
When they had paid their II cents
they left, but stood at the door together:
She held out her hand to him and
wished him good-by.
"Good-by,7' replied he. 20, one mo-
ment! win you tell me your name?"
alma Brettan. And yours?"
milne is Theodore Farr'
s'Any good fortune yet?''
mo. PromiSes-only promiSeS-and
they mean so 1ittlev' 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
found delight in the others company.
Il have brought you back the score
of Francesca she said. Il think
almost know it by heart"
you like it?'
eft is really a masterpiecev'
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 eating house and she won
dred why 1t was because he was i'll.
When he recovered and was able to
leave the house, a pitiable object, with
his pale face and hollow cheeks, the
first thing he did was to wend his way
to the shabby table hOte, and now it
was his turn to wonder, 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 traveI-stained.
The company with which she had been
touring the French provinces had dis
banded and she had arrived in the cap
ital poor and friendless, in search of
new engagement.
She entered an unpretentious restau-
rant close by, and while her morning
meal was being prepared, amused her
self by glancing at a newspaper.
M Theo Fart" 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 a venture three
nights hence.
Her capital was considerably under
s25. 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
'otes and made her way excitedly to
M. Theo 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 IMP" she asked, ex-
citedly.
the window, and sprang up with an ex-
clamation of amazement.
You? Is it possible? Oh, how glad
I amr'
Tell me alll' she cried, when she
explained her errand. Tell me all!
You are a rich MANI"
''Oh, no. no-a poor one. I teach and
write songs-but I've the chance of
fame at last. The work is being put on
as a stop-gap, so to speak, but if it
succeeds He caught his breath. If
it succeeded he was made"
Time flew, and while they were dis
cussing the possibility of his securing
her small part at so late date, the
door was opened violently and a stout
gentleman burst in upon them with per-
spring face.
Theo paled at the sight. Instructive
1y he knew the manager had brought
bad news.
your prima donna has the influenza
and francesca can not be produced.
That is ALL"
The young man stood motionless. At
blow his world had crashed in ruins
about him. The next instant Alma
spoke
10 Lle
Both men started as if they had been
shot-Theo with hope. the manager in
expostulation-
Your echoed the latter. Who are
Il am nobody" she said calmly, "but
if you are willing may be some one
YET
'But-you are mad You could not
study the score by Thursday night"
The familiar music was lying on a
chair. She saw it, snatched at it. and
thrust it into Theo's hand.
Play the accompaniment to the In
vocation she said. Il am going to
She began quietly She realized as
the first bar left her lips that she was
singing for the crown of her ambition;
more than all, she knew that she
singing for the salvation of the man she
loved. He knew it, too, as their eyes
met.
The managers eyebrows lifted. and
his hand shook a little as he turned the
page,
adore" Her voice rose, flooded the
room, and when it died with the last
chord the manager caught her by both
hands.
''Mademoiselle,'' he said. gravely. 81
shall have the honor to submit a con-
tract to you this afternoon. Your friend
should be grateful to you"
But Theo said nothing. Only his face
| spoke-and it was eloquent enough.
Everybody knows what happened.
When the curtain fell on the last act
| of Francesca the audience rose to it's
| feet and called for the composer with
/ cheers that rang through the house.
He stood bowling amid the deafening
plaudits, waiting for the frenzy to sub
| side. But that was not yet to be. The
prima donna must be recalled and Theo
| led her out once more, and they stood
| there together while Paris screamed
itself hoarse.
Do you ask the sequel? 1t was a
| wedding party at gay Partisan hotel.
| The bridegroom rises to return thanks,
| and say that it is an appropriate thing
1 that his wife and he should breakfast
| in a restaurant together because sit