The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1910-02-25
BVFMARION CRAWTORD
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STOCK was IN my own pocket. That
only little illustration. But I guess
you can leave the financial side In my
hands. You won't lose by II. I'm pref.
ty sure"
Il fancy mott" 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!
| can earn more money than l want,
and l have little fortune or my own
the hundred thousand I offered you.
Oh. no! II would be the splendid
power to have the most beautiful
music In the world given az II could
be given nowhere else! The Joy OF
singing myself--the parts I can sing
lin 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. II
It were really. really the best that
can be had! DO you believe II is pos
sible to have all that?'
oh. yes. and with your name to Il
too. Wen have everything on earth
that money can buy to make perfect
opera. and I'll guarantee it1l pay after
the first two seasons. That Ia. II you'll
work nj II as hard as l will. But
you've got to work. Miss Dome, you've
got to work. or It's no use thinking OF
It. That's my opinion"
I'll work like a 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 Torp's
unlimited capital. could and certainly
would produce such an opera house,
and bring to II such artists ms 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 II honestly m q 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 hsr 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 daxxled, but she could find none.
Il don't think ! shall need time to
think this over" she said. controlling
her voice better. now thai she had
made up her mind. AS I understand
1t. am to put In what I can in the
way OF ready money. and nm to give
my time In all ways. As you need il,
and my voice. when II Is wanted. ID
that TT"
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 will pay yourself, or
we both shall pay you. just an much
az we would pay any other first class
soprano. or as much more as you
would get In London or New York Il
you signed m engagement"
'Is that fairf" Margaret asked.
why. certainly. But the company,
which Ii you and !. 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 o. our season, when
you can spare the time"
"Of course"
We'll. now. ] suppose We might an
well note that down right away. a. d
preliminary agreement. What do you
say?"
Il say that I simply cannot refuse
such an offer!" Margaret answered.
Your consent Ii all that's neces.
sary." he said. In q matter.of.fact
tone.
He produced from an inner pocket
folded sheet OF foolscap, which he
spread on the corner OF the table be-
side him. He took out fountain pen
and began to write quickly. The terms
and forms were A. familiar to him a
the alphabet and he lost NO time; b.
sides. as he had told the prima donna.
he had thought out the whole matter
before hand.
what II Mrs. Rushmore comes In
just rs we are signing 1T" asked Mar.
garet.
wen tell her. and ask her to wit.
ness our signatures" replied Van
Torp without looking up. Il Judge
Mrs. Rushmore to have quite 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.
l should say. Do you think you can
read my writing? don't suppose
you've ever seen It."
CTO BE CONTINUEDl
srea with Children"
Tea" says the London Chronicla.
A.