The state herald., 1910-02-11
ByE MARION CRAWFORD
SgAUz1uR0e ccM9ACMXc5c4 +" NRx77ZkN'E7.Hr
III Mzzy7zNzs1zySy .zs2 M u NMxN' d0d1
\ \NtIL/.'
NRIGHT 1907 6Y ICNNR/oW cyeANfoRO

| 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"
II fancy not" Margaret's eyes
| were wide open, her hands were
clasped tightly on her knee, and she
was leaning forward little Be
Sides" she went on, at would not be
the money that should care abouti
| can earn more money than | want,
and | have n 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 1t could
be given nowhere else! The joy of
singing myself-the parts | can sing
In the most perfect surroundings!
An orchestra picked from the whole
world of orchestras. the greatest liv-
Ing leaders the most faultless chorusl
And the scenery. and the costumes
everything as everything could be. IL
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 Il,
too. Well have everything on earth
that money can buy to make perfect
opera, and I'll guarantee it'll pay after
the first two seasons. That Is. II you1l
work at IL as hard as I will But
you've got to work. Miss Donne, you'vs
got to work. or it's no use thinking of
it. That's my opinion"
TN work like Trojan" cried Mar.
saret enthusiastically.
She had enough experience in her
self, and enough knowledge of the
conditions to believe that her own
hard work. combined with Van Torp's
unlimited capital could and certainly
would produce such an opera house,
and bring to II such artists as had
never been seen and heard, except
perhaps In Bayreuth. during its 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 well as giving the greater part
of the labor She felt for some weak
place in the scheme. cropping as II she
were dazzled. but she could ind none.
Il don't think shall need time to
think this over" she said. controlling
her voice better. now that she had
made up her mind. "As understand
II, ! am to put in what | can In tho
way OF ready money, and am TO give
my time in all ways, as you need II,
and my voice, when II is wanted. Ia
that it,"
Except that, when you choose to
sing. the company will allow you your
usual price for each appearance an
swered Van Torp In business.like
manner. "You win pay yourself. or
we both shall pay you. lust as much
as We would pay any other firstclass
soprano. or aB much more as you
would get in London or New York IL
You signed an engagement"
''ls that 'air7" Margaret asked.
why. certainly. But the company,
which Is you and !. will probably
rule that you mustn't sing In grand
opera anywhere In tho 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"
We'll, now. ] suppose we might ns
well note that down right away. as n
| preliminary agreement What do you
say?"
II say that | simply cannot refuse
such nm oner'" Margaret answered.
Your consent IN all that's necos-
snry." he said. In a matter offnet
| tone
He produced from an inner pocket
folded sheet Of fooIscnp. which ho
spread on the corner Of the table bn-
side him. He took out fountain pen
and began to write quickly The terms
and forms were ns familiar 10 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 II Mrs. Rufhmorc comes in
lust as we are signing ~" asked Mar
gnret.
Wen tell her. and ask her 10 wit.
ness our signatures" replied Van
Torp without looking up. ~ judge
Mrs Rushmoro to have quito itnowl.
edge OF business
You seem able 10 write and talk
at the same time" Margaret said.
smiling.
business talk. yes" The pen ran
on swiftly. There. That's about all,
I should say. DO you think you can
read my wrlting7 don't suppose
you've ever seen H."
tTo BIZ CONTINUED
"Tea with Children"
Tea" says tho London Chronicle.
ufu tho ynrdan A.. nno nf fI. heat.