The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1913-06-14

her place at q moments notice. When
Carlotta heard OF the astounding re-
ception bestowed upon her under
study. she was Mt once cured OF an
| incipient attack OF bronchitis and
bad fit OF sulking against the manage
ment, and lost the slightest inclina-
ton to shirk her duties. From that
| time, she worked with ell her might
| TO smother" her rival. enlisting the
services OF influential friends TO per-
suade the managers not to give Chris
| tine an opportunity for fresh tri-
umph. Certain newspapers which had
begun to extol the talent OF Christine
now Interested themselves only In tho
fame OF Carlotta. Lastly. in the the
alter itself, the celebrated. but heart
less and soulless diva made the most
scandalous remarks about Christine
', and tried TO cause her endless minor
npleasantnesses.
When Carlotta had finished think
ing over the threat contained in the
strange letter, she got up.
I'VE shall see." she said, adding
few oa,hs In her native Spanish with
a very determined air
The first thing she saw, when look
ing out OF her window, was n hearse.
She was very superstitious; and the
hearse and tho letter convinced her
that she was running the most serious
dangers that evening. She collected
all her supporters. told them that she
was threatened at that evenings per-
MIN
Christine Daae and declared that they
must play a trick upon that chit by
filling the house with her.. Cariottas,
admirers. She had no lack OF them
had she? She relied upon them 10
hold themselves prepared Tor any
eventuality and to silence the adVer'
saries, IT. as she feared. they created
a disturbance.
NJ. Richards private secretary |
called to ask after the diva's health |
and returned with the assurance that
she was perfectly well and that |
were she dying" she would sing the
part of Margarita that evening. The /
secretary urged her. In his chiefs !
name. to commit no imprudence. to |
stay ut home all day and to be care
full OF drafts; and Carlotta could not
help, after he had gone, comparing |
this unusual and unexpected advice |
with the threats contained in the let |
ter
II was five O'Clock when the post !
brought second anonymous letter in
the same hand as the first. II was |
short and said simply:
You have bad cold II you are |
wise, you will see that 1t is madness
to try to sing tonight"
Carlotta sneered, shrugged ner |
handsome shoulders and sang two or
three notes to reassure herself
Her friends were faithful to their
promise. They were all at the opera
that night, but looked round In vain
for the fierce conspirators whom they
were instructed to suppress. The only |
unusual thing was the presence OF NJ.
Richard and N. Moncharmin In Box
Five. Carlotta's friends thought that.
perhaps. the managers had wind. on
their side. OF the proposed disturbance
and that they had determined to be
In the house. SO as to stop II then and
there: hut this was unjustifiable sup |
position. as the reader knows. NJ.
Richard and NJ Moncharmin were |
thinking OF nothing but their ghost.
VAIN. In vain do l call. through my vigil
weary.
on creation and it's Lord
Never reply will break the silence dreary'
No gignl no single wOTd,'
The famous baritone, Carolus fon
ia, had hardly finished Doctor Fausts
first appeal to the powers OF darkness,
when NJ. Firmin Richard, who was
sitting In the ghosts own chair. the
front chair on the right leaned over
to his partner and asked him chatting
ly:
We'll, has the ghost whispered a
word In your ear yet?S'
Wait, don't be In such a hurry,
replied NJ. Armand Moncharmin, In
the same gay tone, The perform
ance has only begun and you know
that the ghost does not usually come
until the middle OF the first act"
The first act passed without Incl
| dent. which did not surprise Carlotta's
! friends, because Margarita does not
sing In this act. AS for the managers,
| they looked at each other. when the
| curtain fell -
That's ope," said Moncnarmin.
Yes. the ghost is late. ,aid Fir
| min Richard.
| ITS not bad house., said Mon
charmin, TOR "a house with a curse
ON It,"
NJ Richard smiled and pointed to n
fat, rather vulgar woman, dressed In
black, sitting in a stall I'm the mid.
| die Of the auditorium with man in u
broadclo;h frock-coat Oh either side
| OF her.
Who on earth are thoseY" asked
Moncharmin.
| Those, my dear fellow, are my
concierge. her husband and her
brother"
Did you give them their tickets?'
II did. My concierge had
never been 10 the opera--this is the
first time--and. as she is now going
to come every night. wanted her 10