The Washington times., 1920-02-08

They killed my father and mother one
night. Because l was so little and slept
SO soundly throughout the tragedy they
spared my life. The manager Of The mine
took me back to Russia with his family.
I was placed In a convent In Dresden. My
fortune Of a million rubles was invested
for me.
met Georges Baklanoff, the baritone,
the first year of the war. For the first
year of our life together received large
income. The second year 1t was less; the
third year scarcely anything. The last
two years It has been nothing.
My money was in the National Bank Of
Moscow. My family jewels, diamonds and
sapphires and rubies, were there also.
have heard that the Bolsheviki broke open
treasures. My mind staggered at first at
the thought. Yet l have humbly come to
understand that his love for me seemed
to grow less after my remittances from
Russia ceased. should be happy to be-
lieve otherwise, but I cannot.
All, yes! The land Of grand opera is
the kingdom of selfishness. Because the
reign of self Is turbulent, grand opera
marriages are seldom lasting and never
Lillian Nordica. In Europe they talk Of
that gifted woman's three marriages. The
first was romantic. All marriages in grand
opera are romantic at the beginning. But
theirs was a tempestuous life.
Her husband made an ascent in bal
loon. He never came back. His body was
not found. There was much speculation
at the time as to whether the adventurous
young American, pioneer balloonist had
- 10 ho nvI hal Cd tna
other name.
Her second marriage, that to Zoltan
Doehme, was brief and unhappy. Her
last, to George w. Young, prominent
banker, was outwardly smooth as a Sum-
mer sea. Yet she left her money to her
sisters. And what remained of her wealth
was the cause of litigation between her
husband and sisters.
In connection with the personal pecu-
liarities of operate artists like to recall
the delightful compliments that were ex-
changed between Emma Trentini, the at
tractive little prima donna, and the great
Enrico Caruso some years ago. Caruso
certainly has the conceit, the liking for
strong smelling delcacies cooked in odd
corners that is so characteristic of the
profession.
Trentini imagined that she was engaged
to the great tenor and confded her happi-
ness to the world. When some one asked
how she expected to accomplish the diff
cult feat Of holding the tenor's affections,
she exclaimed:
me, Trentini, hold this Monsieur
Caruso's love?
But 1t Is Monsieur Caruso who must
hold my love. Mine, do you see? /,
Trentini, can get many other husbands.
But where can. Monsieur Caruso get him
another Trentini? Pah! I sing to him by
the seashore. / fear not the salt air. l
flirt with him, I laugh at him. eat his
bonbons on the Wednesday and Saturday
evenings. In short, cause this Monsieur
Caruso much happiness"
Signor Caruso however, did not agree
with Mile. Trentini that he was engaged
to her, and he is reported as saying con-
temptuously Of her:
"She reminds me OF a peanut; she is
only a cake Of SOAP"
To this compliment from her fellow
artist Mile. Trentini replied as follows:
"Caruso never use much soap. When
we sang together in opera he make love
to me. He hold me in his arms and he
sing. When I sing he whisper so none but
I could hear-he whisper his love. His
voice make me forget his greasy appear
ance and his lack Of soap with plenty of
hot water.
: "On stage and of he tell me many times
he love me and he want me to be mother
to his two boys. When my mind was full
Of his divine voice l consent Now he
say I'm a peanut and only a cake Of soap!
WAS ever man so Hckle like Caruso?
He swear he love only me- Every time I
see him he tell me his love, but when I am
away he say I'm a peanut and a cake OF
soap. Take care, Caruso, you lose your
voice and you may sell peanuts on street
corner and use soap-much soap.
"Caruso-Caruso-I-I forget him.
forget his voice. forget his boys. for
get his stage kisses-I forget him all
except he is fat, conceited, tickle and
fighty. I'm glad found him out in time.