Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-09-25


concern now, not the past. Meantime
she had not been idle; neither had she
come to Seattle on blind impulse. She
knew Of singing teacher there whose
reputation was more than local, vocal
authority whose word carried weight
far beyond Puget sound. First she
meant to see him, get an impartial cs-
innate Of the value Of her voice, Of the
training she would need. Through him
she hoped to get in touch with some
outlet for the only talent she possessed.
And she had received more encourage
ment than she dared hope. He listened
to her sing, then tested the range and
flcxibilty Of her voice.
Amazing" he. said frankly. "YOu
have rare natural endowment If
YOU have the determination and the
sense of dramatic values that musical
discipline will give you, you should 60
far. You should find your place in
opera"
That's my ambition" Stella answer
ed. But that requires time and train
ing. And that means money. l have
to earn it"
The upshot Of that conversation was
an appointment to meet the manager
Of a photoplay house who wanted a
singer. Stella looked Mt her watch now
and rose to go. Money, always money,
if one wanted to get anywhere, she re-
Elected cynically. No wonder men strug-
ged desperately for that token Of
power.
She reached the Charters theater,
and doorman gave her access to the
dim interior. There was light in the
operators cage high at the rear, an
other shaded glow at the piano, where
young man with hair brushed sleekly
back chewed gum necessarily while he
practiced picture Accomplishments The
place looked desOlatc, with its empty
seats, its bald stage front with the
empty picture screen. Stella sat down
to wait for the manager. He came in
few minutes. His manner was very
curt, busincsslike. He wanted her to
sing popular song, bit from Verdi
opera, Gounod's save Maria" so that
he could get line on what she could
do He appeared to be pessimist in
regard to singers.
"Takc the stage right there" he in
structcd, Just as If the spot were Oh
you. Now, then"
1t wasn't a hcartenng process to
stand there facing the gum chewing
pianist, and the managers cigar glow
ing redly five rows back. and the silent
emptincSscs beyond much like singing
into the mouth of Il gloomy cave. 1t
was more or 4cSs critical moment for
Stella, but she was kcenly aware that
she had to make good in a small way
before she could grasp the greater OPP
/ portunity, so she did her best, end her
best was no mediocre performance
/ She had never sung in n place designed
/ to show off or to show up singers
quality She was even a bit aston
1 shed herself.
she elected to sing the Ave Maria"
/ first Her voice went peal.ng to the
doomed ceiling as sweet as Il silver
bell, resonant as a trumpet. When the
last note died away there was Il mo-
mcntary silence: then the accompanist
looked up at her, frankly admiring.
you're some warbler" he said en-
phatically, "belieyc me-"
Behind him the managers cigar lost
(. its glow. He remained silent. The
pianist struck up Lets Murder Care, "
a rollickihg trifc from Broadway hit,
Last of all he thumpcd, more or less
successfully, through the accompnni-
ment to an aria that had in 1t vocal
gymnastics as well as melody.
Come up to the Office, Mrs. Fyfe,
Howard said, with a singular change
from his first manner
81 can give you an indefinite engage
mcnt at thirty week. he made a
blunt offer. you can sing. You're
worth more, but right now | can't pay
more. If you pull business and
rather think you will may be able
to raise you. Thirty a week, and you'll
have to sing twice In the afternoon and
twice in the evening"
Stella considered briefly. Thirty dol
lars q week meant great deal more
than mere living as she meant to live
And It was start, a move In the righI
direction. She accepted. They dis
cussed certain details. She did not
care to court publicity under her lega
name, so they agreed that she shoult
, be billed as Nine. Benton, the madame
, being Towards suggestion, and sh'
took her leave.
, Upon the Monday following Stclli
stood for the first time In fierce whit,
, glare that dazzled her and so shut of
partially her vision Of the rows ant
! rows of faces. She went on with ,
horrible slackness In her knees dr..
! feeling In her throat, and she was no
; sure whether she would sing or fly
, When she had finished her first SOM
and bowed herself into the wings sh
+ felt her heart leap and hammer at th
, hand clapping that grew and grew I'll