Tombstone epitaph., 1915-04-25


 This day have signed my most won- derful contract! l stand before you. Jean Renault. the greatest of all ten ors-i who have just been engaged for three years by the leading impresario of modern times-M. Gatti-Carranza. IL Is he, the most divine of men in ap- preciation, who has the rare good Judgment to acclaim me the utmost in vocal attainment"
 "Ah bah," exclaimed NJ. Dupre with some heat 'T. who have heard the most wonderful operatic voices of the age, doubt you. 1 cannot believe what you say"
 Renault. the handsome. the egotist, the accomplished, shrugged his shoul- ders.
 Monsieur" he said quite calmly for a Frenchman provoked. mot without affront. I challenge thee, even thee, to scan the agreement have this day made with M. Gatti-Carranza. It means that next season l shall be the highest-paid tenor in operatic history. You will doubt me, for heretofore no singer has ever commanded such a salary. This next six months-which is the New York season with the Met ropolitan opera-I shall earn $3,500 a night, and I shall have a guaranty of S25o, 1000 a year for three years, with additional compensation for extra per formance. beg Of you. my friend, to read my agreement"
 "Hein!" almost gasped Dupre. 'It L. Hv IA s- it-yet it cannot bel"
 So one might think" answered Renault quickly. Yet in America such things are true"
 Beautiful Alys Dupre advanced slowly across the gravel path. She put her arms about the shoulders of Renanlt and smiled down at him. You are a dreamer, mon cher" she said softly. ''Is this thing true thou sayest to mon perez"
 Quite true" answered Renault with smiling eyes. Will you come with me over the seas as my wife and share with me the honors and the gold that will be mine in New York this winter?"
 Alys gazed into his eyes, her hand stole into his, and she let him kiss her softly upon the lips.
 Renault gazed over her shoulder at the pleasant village lying beyond the garden.
 He thought of the peace and quiet Of the place and of the hustle and hurry of New York. but he longed to be there with Alys and the beginning of his triumph.
 Now M. Dupre, aged and dignified put down his pipe. rose from his seat, and took a tottering step forward
 "Oh, mon fils," he said with sob in his voice, .I have read this wonder ful paper of agreement signed by the great judge of merit across the seas, and I am happy and proud to give un- to thee my daughter. May she be worthy of thee."
 Renauit wrung the old mans hand. Worthy" he repeated. Who am l -only a great tenor-to deserve herr Just then a powerful motor car came along the dusty road and stopped be- fore the garden wall. From it for eigner descended, entered the pretty RdTOtu, anu oOhCu ms AAnes
 "My dear Renault," the man ex- claimed. Then, to the embarrassment of the new arrival. the great tenor embraced him effusively. Red of face. but accepting the situation as a part of his experience abroad. the new conner permitted Renault to introduce him to his companions.
 ~Iosrxnon nP tho prnitfo from the wonderful opera company called the Metropolitan of New York; exclaimed Renault with enthusiasm; :; "the powerful and wise organization that has engaged mclean Renault. am entranced! You, monsieur. are come just in time to congratulate me and oh, thou sly dog. thou hast put M. Gatti-Carranza up to engaging me. I congratulate thee"
 The new arrival smiled indulgently.
 "But congratulate me once more. Renault vent on. T am just afianced to the most beautiful woman in the world. What is more. I, Jean Re rauIt have won her from Heinrich Rerebon-an inferior director of the orchestra at the Metropolitan-who has had the audacity to plead for the hand of my divinity!
 .ImpossibIc," said the American. "yet I hear that Herr Berghon has renounced all thought of returning to inc States this season He has ap' n.ied for a commission in the army
 ~Bah,- exclaimed Renauit con .-,1,ousIv Let him handle ( sword ss ciumsiIy as he handled baton, and France will have an easy victory over Germany"
 The American laughed heartily ~Permit me-" he said to the company .aout them. M. Renauit Is so enthu siastic. so happy. that he has forgot len to introduce me save by a utit -h,ch amounts to but little. except ir sh.t if gives me an opportunity tt shov my appreciation of the art of M renauIt. am Richard Van del Wynt" hs said. Pray be seated