Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-16

his sustaining hope was to compose an opera whlcn
would mako fortune.
In Vivien Monmouth he had found, he knew, the
inspiration which he had craved vainly until tnelr
meeting. When he reached his rooms, he paced
tho floor in fever, hearing eternal harmon1es on
the subject of Daphns and Chloe. An artist by
nature he had never paused to appraise his own in
stinc for music Part of his spirit and all MS real
language, it rose and surged in his brain, Just as
color lives in an eye. Music was his life, and what
hy could not express in music he imperfecty
realized.
were suddenly disturbed by visitor. 1t was
Heimerfelt, his agent, flushed, smiling, and pros
porous: o. ~ eo,+,,
guineas a week--on five years. contract; option
of renewal at sixty guineas week-acts OF God
apart-star lead; to be billed as star London
ued, fearing that he was breaking good news too
violently on an unprepared mind he drew OUT
his cgar-case and presented 1t with the nope ges-
ture which he reserved for the successful oniy-to
Paget took cigar, but he bit off the end in a
provoking mediative manner, which lowered
"Thc fact is, Heimerfelt," said he. 81 have made
up my mind to leave the profession. I shall stick
to my composing"
Good Ged
'I don't care for the life. l don't enjoy singing
platforms. And what don't enjoy cant do
Heimerfelt too upset to keep his cigar
alight. 1t dropped from his fingers, while ne
muttered oaths under his breath:
"You are all alike" he exclaimed; an ungrateful
set | bring you into notice: study your inter-
ests: introduce you to the big managers: put up
with all your capers and antics work up booms
and study the market l obtain magnihcent
offers-entirely through my own personal influence
and then, for my pains, am made fool Of.
s'I believe I've lost heart for the work. You
wouldn't like me to turn out bad bargain for the
Syndcate?"
"What does that matter-to us-so long as they
will sign the contract? And there's beautiful
part for you in the production-four changes
of costume, Oriental atmosphere, and the three
best solos Vardelle has ever written You haven't
taken it ali in That's what's the matter with you"
"I'm sure everything about it is splendid-except
me-
'There's to be duet with Rosie Raleigh kiss
and COO. Best thing ever heard. Vardelle ran
it through for Edwards and me last night after
supper. The man to sing that, said l, is Rendel
Paget' L thought his line was grand opera, said
Vardelle All In good time said l. he's in no
hurry to begin the heavy before he's thirty. He
listens to my advice. But you won't listen to my
advice, he added, with a wall. "oh. you have made
me feel SO il!'
Pm more sorry than say, and hope you
won't throw over-even now. Can't you place
my opera for me?" :.
place an opera! You must be mad!"
"It isn't written yet, but it's all in my head, and
it's charming"
"The man is mad" said Heimerfelt, addressing
the air.
"My life is my own, isn't it?"
"Forty guineas week thrown away!"
"But composers make money"
"Not when they have your notions"
"Wat till you hear Daphnis and Chloe!"
"Buncombe and dryel!"
you'll think it over and change your mind"
The veins in Heimerfet's forehead became
swollen; he grew purple in the face and, too angry
to trust himself further with client who might
yet do well in the long run, he dashed from the
room and on to the public staircase down which
he descended hurriedly into the covered walk and
so out toward Piccadilly.
Now, for peace; for my music!" thought
Paget.