The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-11-18

ways 90 20 SnaC way, Wnen c1rcum-
stances allow. I once bought all the
stock Of a railroad for nothing, for
instance, and sold all the bonds, and
let it go bankrupt. Then 1 bought
the road one day, and found all the
stock was in my own pocket. That's
only little illustration. But guess
you can leave the financial side in my
hands. You won't lose by it, I'm pret-
ty sure"
81 fancy not!" Margaret's eyes
were wide open, her hands were
clasped tightly on her knee, and she
was leaning forward a little. BE
Sides" she went on, 1T would not be
the money that should care about!
I can earn more money than I want,
and I have little fortune of my own
the hundred thousand offered you.
Oh, no! 1t would be the splendid
power to have the most beautiful
music in the world given as it could
be given nowhere else! The joy Of
singing myself-the parts I can sing
in the most perfect surroundings!
An orchestra picked from the whole
world Of orchestras, the greatest liv-
ing leaders, the most faultless chorus!
And the scenery, and the costumes
everything as everything could be, If
1t were really, really the best that
can be had! Do you believe it is pos
sible to have all that?"
"Oh, yes, and with your name to 1t,
too. Well have everything on earth
that money can buy to make a perfect
opera, and I'll guarantee it'll pay after
the first two seasons. That is, if you'll
work at it as hard as I will. But
you've got to work, Miss Dome, you've
got to work, or it's no use thinking OF
1t. That's my opinion"
"Tll work like Trojan!" cried Mar.
garet enthusiastically.
She had enough experience in her
self, and enough knowledge of the
conditions to believe that her own
hard work, combined with Van Torps
unlimited capital, could and certainly
would produce such an opera house,
and bring to it such artists as had
never been seen and heard, except
perhaps in Bayreuth, during it's first
great days, now long past.
Then, too, he had put the matter
before her so skillfully that she could
look upon 1t honestly as a business
partnership, In which her voice, her
judgment, and her experience would
bear no contemplate proportion to his
money, and in which she herself was
to invest money of her own, thereby
sharing the risk according to her for
tune as we'll as giving the greater part
OF the labor. She felt for some weak
place in the scheme, cropping as if she
were dazzled, but she could find none
Il don't think I shall need time to
think this over" she said, controlling
her voice better, now that she had
made up her mind. "As l understand
1t, am to put in what I can in the
way OF ready money, and I am to give
my time In all ways, as you need it,
and my voice, when it is wanted. Is
that it,"
Except that, when you choose to
sing, che company will allow you your
usual price for each appearance" an
swered Van Torp in a business-like
manner. "You will pay yourself, or
we both shall pay you, just as much
as we would pay any other first-class
soprano. or as much more as you
would get in London or New York If
you signed an engagement"
rs that fair?" Margaret asked.
why, certainly. But the company.
which is you and I, will probably
rule that you mustn't sing in grand
opera anywhere In the states east of
the rockies. They've got to come to
New York to hear you. Naturally,
you'll be free to do anything you like
in Europe outside of our season, when
you can spare the time"
"Of course" ........
wen, now, suppose we might as
well note that down right away. as a
preliminary agreement. What do you
say?"
II say that I simply cannot refuse
such an offer!" Margaret answered.
Your consent is all that's neces-
sary," he said, in q matter-of-fact
tone.
He produced from an inner pocket
a folded sheet of foolscap, which he
spread on the corner Of the table be-
side 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; be-
sides, as he had told the prima donna,
he had thought out the whole matter
before hand
What If Mrs. Rushmore comes in
Just as we are signing it," asked Mar
garet
We'll tell her, and ask her to wit
ness our signatures" replied Van
Torp without looking up. 81 Judge
Mrs. Rushmore to have quite q knowl-
edge of business"
You seem able to write and talk
at the same time," Margaret said,
smiling.
business talk, yes" The pen ran
on swiftly. There. That's about all,
! should say. Do you think you can
read my writing? I don't suppose
you've ever seen it."
He turned the page round, and
handed 1t to her. The writing was
large and perfectly legible, but very
different from the commercial" hand