The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-06

Miss Christine Miller looked like nothing
so much as "a great, big, beautiful doll"
with dreamy blue-gray eyes and soft,
wavy hair and delicious pink sl<in the
French kind of doll that comes in a box
when Santa Claus makes his rounds at
Christmas tide, yesterday when was in
vited into that lovely ladys boudoir at
the Hillman by the lovely lady herself.
The golden sunlight was streaming in
through the wide open windows in relent-
less candor on her fair face, and if there
had been bemishes or defects you can
depend upon it that my critical eye, with
the aid of the brilliant sunlight, would
have detected them, but not one, only
fairness and prettiness, and very much
charm.
Miss Miller had on some pretty, inde-
scribable short of becoming frock with
her snowy throat barred and the daintiest
lacey effect about it that gave just that
little soft, caressing touch that femininity
needs to make it even more bewitchins
and captivating, and her blue-gray eyes
beamed with cordially and a sort OF
round-eyed innocence.
Q don't believe that last sounds just
right. but any way, you know what ]
mean, Tn sureD
And she wore the loveliest amethysts.
Such lots of theml
A glorious brooch surrounded with dia-
monds and a lovely amethyst and dia-
mond ring and bracelet. and neckla ce,
and l just knew instinctively that there
was something interesting connected with
those amethy her.
And there was.
But
That's another story, as our friend Mr.
Kiplng would say, and I'll tell you about
it later.
Anyway. she was born in February-I'll
tell you that much now, and her birth
stone. as you may have guessed, is the
amethyst.
1t goes WELL I may say, en- passant with
all her daintiness and prettiness, and
somehow Just seems to suit her in every
way.
Miss Miller greeted me with the most
delightful smile.
That smile of hers is worth going miles
TO seel
1t means so much and is so reassuring
didn't have to tumble and be diplo-
matte and lead up to things, as the
usual interview demands, but just swan
in head first, dog fashion, and said:
Now, tell me everything there is to
tell about your pretty SELF
But there really isn't anything" said
Miss Miller, smiling again, that lovely
smile of hers. Really there isn't--er-er--
except just my work.
Pray what more colda ask?' I in
terrogated
We'll, it has been quite sufficient to
make my life a very busy one said
she.
did you plan when you were little
btty to be a singer. or did 1t just hap
pen?" l asked.
II think I must have been born sing
ing." said Miss Miller. Long before
could talk l could sing, and I've just
kept on singing. 1t seemed my destiny
that l must work out In the best way
l could, and I've been faithful sentinel
can assure you
You see it was this way" she con
tinued. II first began my studies with
William l.. Whitney. He has done more
for me than anyone else, and after l made
my first professional bow things just
seemed to come to me somehow. 1t was
like throwing a pebble in the water anc
watching ripple after ripple. and ripple
after ripple come from 1t, until finally
lounu 1nySeiI quite IN ueinanQ.
And the managers no doubt were
Watching you. too,' l suggested
Strange to say. I've never had man
ager," Miss Miller told me- 'You see
constituted myself my own manager, ant
while l was>developing my voice l was
also developing my business Judgment a,
well. The engagements came pouring II
like wildfire, well-that tells tn,
story, 1t seems to me, completely"
How did you happen to elect the
concert stage rather than the operati,
stage as your metier?" / inquired,
Opera Is very snncertain," said Miss
Miller. II haven't the physique nor the
make-up of an operatfc star I'm toe
petite for the contralto roles of operas
BESIDES the contralto has few opportun-
ttles In opera, They always have abom-
inable roles, Amazons, men, ogres ol
witches. and besides you can never bt
certain of opera. There is SO much rec
tame s9-n much wire pulling and intrigue
as 1t were, With concert work it is diff
ferent You can never be certain thai
you VIII begin the opera you wish, bui
you can always be certain that you car
give the concert you wish I've never
had anybody to pull single string fol-
Tor me- Never, I've had many influen-
tiaI friends who have offered their as
slstance. but I've always declined.
have wanted to do everything for my
self, by myself"
Intr