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

when it is wanted Is that the way you plan
it,
Except that, when you choose to sing, the
company will allow you your usual price tor
each appearance" answered Van Torp in a
businesslike manner. You will pay yourself,
or we both shall pay you just as much as we
should pay any other first class soprano, or as
New York if you signed an engagement.
=" Is that fair?" Margaret asked.
why, certainly. But the company, which
is you and l, will probably rule that you
mustn't sing IN grand opera anywhere else IN
the States east of the Rockies They've got to
you II be free to do anything you like in Europe
outside of our season, when you can spare the
time
"Of course
Well now ] suppose we might as we'll note
that down right away, as a preliminary agree
ment. What do you say2"
81 say that | simply cannot refuse such an
offer" Margaret answered.
Your consent is all that's necessary he
said in a matter of fact tone.
HE produced from an inner pocket a folded
= sheet of foolscap. which he spread on the
corner of the table beside him. He took out a
fountain pen and began to write quickly. The
terms and forms were as familiar to him as the
alphabet, and he lost no time; besides as he
the whole matter beforehand.
What if Mrs. Rushmore comes in just as
we are signing it," asked Margaret.
We'll tell her and ask her to witness our
signatures" replied Van Torp without looking
up. Il judge Mrs. Rushmore to have quite a
knowledge of business"
You seem able to write and talk at the
same time, Margaret said, smiling
Business talk, yes The pen on
swiftly. There! That's about all, should
say" He handed her the paper.
Margaret read the clauses carefully. She
herself had already signed good many legal
papers in connection with her engagements and
her own small fortune, and the language was
not so unfamiliar to her as it would have been
to most women.
had finished My own manner Or my stage
manner"
Your own name, please. > said Van Torp
without hesitation. The other is binding
only in your profession because you appear
under it, and it's your business style.
She wrote Margaret Dome" at the foot OF
the page in her large and rather irregular hand.
and passed the paper back to Van Torp. who
signed it. He waved the sheet slowly to and
fro, to dry the ink
It's only a preliminary agreement, ne
said: but it's binding as far as it goes. and
a power of attorney for my lawyer in New
York. By the way If you decide to come you
can do that in Venice. where there's real live
consul. That's necessary. But for all matters
of business herein set forth, we now al
ready The Madame de Cordova & Rufus Van
Torp Company, organized for the purpose of
building opera house in the city of New
York. and for giving public performances of
musical works in the same, with a nominal
capital hereafter to be agreed upon. That S
what we are now
He folded the sheet returned it to his inner
pocket, ana held out his hand in cheerful,
businesslike manner
Shall we shake hands on it," he asked.
=" By all means" Margaret answered readily,
and their eyes met but she drew back her
hand again before taking his. This is purely a
matter of business between us, she said -" you
understand that? 1t means nothing else"
Purely a matter of business" answered
Rufus Van Torp slowly and gravely.
To be continued next Sunday
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