The Cairo bulletin., 1910-05-31
"AH, is 1T HEP"



Within the vast darkened interior
OF the auditorium multitude Of Chi
cago's elect hung upon the soaring
notes of the youthful prima donna,
Signorina Blanca Attelina, as, with
the glorious ease and brilliant color.
atura of true diva, she rendered the
aria, "Ah, fors' e lui" ("Ah, IS II
Herr, in the first act of La Trayi
alta"
Through the delightful and capti-
waiting cadence of the solo the Ital-
ian songstress proceeded, and the
huge orchestra, directed by Pamela,
the favorite maestro of the Chicago
opera, provided just the plaintiye,
old-time strains that render the early
Verdi score SO alluring to lovers of
the bygone lyrics Of Italy.
A gust of tone from the orchestra
pit. a thrilling ascension Of the So
prano's voice and a finely sustained
finale. Then moments pause. She
turned and fled ''up stage" after the
manner Of all good Traviatas. A roar
of applause from the house, punctured
by the frantic cries of "Brava!" Bra
vissima!" and Bis"
The great curtain descended as
flood of light revealed the showy
spectacle of beautifully gowned wo-
men, resplendent in silks, jewels and
flowers, contrasted to the stern but
attractive array of men, young and
old, in evening attire.
In the rear box, close to the stage,
sat Percy Terhune, member of the
younger North Side set and we'll
known figure in the clubs and draw
ing rooms of the city, who leaned for
ward and engaged in polite under-tone
conversation with Ruth Calhoun,
daughter of Roswell Calhoun, western
attorney for the steel plate interests.
Il declare pouted the charming
most to address that last aria to
you"
Young Terhune fidgeted nervously
in his chair, but laughingly met her
observation.
"Surest thing you know" was his
comment. Il tell you frankly, Miss
Calhoun-er-Ruth, | cannot seem to
prevent it."
The entrance of Freddie Langham-
Wells, equally well known in Lake
side society, who greeted Terhune
coolly and Miss Calhoun effusively,
ended their tete.a-tete. Percy arose
and excused himself, while the young
woman entered upon an obviously
/ Rorced conversation with the new
f, conner.
Once outside the Calhoun box, Per-
cy treaded the corridors, scarcely
needing the mods and spoken saluta
tions bestowed upon him Through
the narrow passageway connecting the
auditorium and the stage proper he
hastened, and a moment later his
card was in the hands of the Traviata
of the evening,
Mile. Attelini gave a little articulate
cry of JOY she read the name
"Entrez, Mansieur-Monsieur Per
cy.' And ripping laugh accompan-
led the words. Il knew you would
come"
Dearest little one, I have come
The memory of those Venetian la.
goons purpling in the gathering dusk
the memory of the fragrance that sur.
rounded you, as we fioated down the
Grand Canal, the memory of those
songs-ahl 1t has been with me for
two years"
But you have made so little, ever
so little effort to see me until now
blanca! | have kept next my
heart your itinerary since you left
Milan hoping, yearning, dreaming for
your coming | have followed every
stage of your tour-through Mexico
Cuba, to New Orleans, to st. Louis
10 Chicago"
Then you were in correspondence
with my agents in Italy?"
Almost daily"
so faithful, so true--so American
Not at all like my fickle-hearted coun
trymen. And you will forgive me?"
This, with so penitent, so winsome
a gesture, that the youth gathered the
cantatrice into his arms.
Forgive you? Yes, and marry
you"
But you must remember YOU
home, your family; what will they say
to your marrying IA 'dago oper;
singer"
"They know it, for told them las
night that I'd married you two year
ago in Italy. BY Jimmie Wells.