Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-17

Informed that they give all the other operas
better IN Munich with the advantage of being
in what YOU may call Christian town, COM
pared with this. Is that corrects"
Yes. | believe SO"
1t IS, YOU can depend upon it. Now, what
want to know is, why you and shouldn't go
into a little business partnership, and do this
kind of thing brown as it ought to be done
Margaret opened her handsome eyes wide
Because continued Van Torp. as cooly
as if explaining new plan to board OF
directors. we've got the capital and the
ability between US. and there's demand IN
New York for what | propose to do 1t Will
fill want. | know. and that means success
and money. Why don't we build theater
together, When | say theater. | mean a
first class opera house. and not a barn Wen
employ the best architects to build it, and OF
course I'd leave everything about it to you
I've got a block in New York just about IN the
right place, and it won't take long to build
III give the land and put up the money tor the
building. if you will undertake the manage
ment You'll put in any money you like. OF
course, and we'll share the profits Maybe
they'll he quite handsome; for we shall lease
the theater to other people outside OF the sea-
son. Well have the best talent in Europe. and
pay for it. and the public will pay us back
Well call it the Cordova Opera, if you like
and you II run it according to your own ideas
and sing not, whenever you please
Are you in earnests" Margaret had some
difficulty in pronouncing the words clearly
Ii
deed. and at the right moment. Was there
ever a great soprano that did not dream OF
having the most perfect theater of her very
own. who could receive unmoved the offer
to build one from a man that could build
twenty if he chose, Very rarely in her life
had she been aware of her bodily heart; but
she could feel it now beating like hammer
an anvil
I'm in earnest" Van Torp answered with
perfect calm I've thought the whole thing
all ire l
road, or canal. or NINE. and l nave CON
Guided to try it. if you'll help me. because 1T
going to be a safe investment You see, MISS
Donne." he went on slowly. " there's no artist
on the grand opera stage now that IS 50 well
equipped for the business as you are. I'm not
fattering you, either In your own KIND OF
parts you simply have no rival Everybody
says So and | suppose you won't deny IT.
Let's start fair, now.
1t would be silly to deny that m one OF
the first" Margaret admitted.
"That'll do. thank you. One OF the hrst
and the first is one of them. and you re 1t. Be
sides, you have before you what's behind most
of them You are young. m not talking
about your personal appearance; but that
Just one more item in the assets. Another big
is that you are a first class musician
whereas half these singers can only bang the
box like great, laundering overgrown school
girls. Allow that"
- suppose l must allow anything. laughed
Well now I've told you. You have the
name need and you have the voice. and the
talent, and the science, and culture. 1 sup
pose you'll let me say that I've got the business
ability, won't you,'' The iron mouth smiled
a little grinly
Rather | fancy some people have wished
YOU had less.
And the money is here: for always have
blank check in my pocket. If you like, I'll fill
it in and we'll deposit it wherever you say. in
the name of the 'Cordova Opera Company.
or Madame de Cordova, Rufus Van Torp q
Co. We can make out our little agreement in
duplicate right here. on the corner of the table,
and sign it. And before we leave here you
might go round and speak to the best singers
about an engagement in New York for a Wag-
ner festival year from next Christmas.
That's business, and this IS purely business
proposition. If you'd like to think it over, | II
90 and take a little walk before dinner
- 1t sounds like a dream Margaret an
swered in wondering tone.
Moneys awful reality. Van Torp re-
marked. I'm talking business. and as I'm
the one that is going to put up most of the
capital you'll do me the credit to believe that
I'm quite wide awake.
Do you really. really really. mean 1t:
She spoke almost like a child.
TT was not the first time in his life that the
tinancer had seen the stunning effect OF a
big sum- projected with precision, like a shell, |
ut fha riuhf He Dlaylnp |