The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1921-12-23
THE OPE RA
Chapter Al

Not even Amy realized what good
luck had come to her when. after only
SIX months of really good training, she
mad obtained a position that students
had tried years to get Jim Clarke was
man Of both wealth and influence
Ills father had been a powerful poll
uclan, and left him. when he died,
with a fair sized income, and long
list OF friends both in and out of poll
tics.
Clarke had some theatrical talent.
That, combined with his money and his
influence, got him into the theatre,
where he amused himself by playing
small parts. His name and influence
gained favorable publicity for him, and
as publicity is the breath of life TO
anyone on the stage, Clarke progress
ed to rather better parts He became
feature" in big revues, where he
did not have to work hard and where
his small talents could be utilized to
the best extent. Claire had met him
when she was taking a small part in a
revue where he was playing hero. And
Jim had developed a really great af-
tection for this girl He saw straight
weaknesses, this amused him, it made
him feel himself a great reader of
character. At the same time her pret-
tiness plased him.
Clarke went on to something better
than revue work. He played the piano
extraordinarily well, for an amateur
He began giving "recitals." Because
of his influence, he drew very smart
hfogo
es came because Clarke was of their
profession and had a musical reputa
lion also. The big musicians came
and smiled patronizingly at his play
ing, said polite things, and chatted
with the stars in theatre world. So
e1ety came, and knowing little about
music, thought him quite fine-and
Chatted with the stars of the most pop
ular plays and the musicians with big
names, and looked about for the au
thor of the latest best seller
Clarke drew the literary people, too
and that curious element that belongs
10 no set" but that faithfully attends
every smart function, picks out the
smartest people present and goes feel
ing as though it belonged to the innel
social or musical circle.
So Clarke met the big musical peo
pie, and having a winning personality
made friends with them. SO he hac
enough influence TO ask the director o
the great opera. company itself to give
chance TO a poor little unknown mu
sical student from the country!
And Amy's prettiness, her franz
brown eyes with their long. shiny
lashes, her glorious colored hair, he
graceful movements, did the rest.
You've sweet voice, nothing
great" the chorus director said "YoI
will do in a crowd You'll never hav,
a career, if that's what you want
Amy was not discouraged by this
She was still sure she would have ;
great career.
You speak French and Italian?" tn,
director asked.
She nodded, in terror that he nigh
test her knowledge. She had haC
some French at school and Claire haC
been coaching her, she was sur,
enough of that to be able to sing th'
choruses of the French operas. Sh'
knew not a word of Italian.
But on her way home from that nc
mentuous interview, she stopped at
school of languages and registered TO
a lesson a day-she would be earnin
salary now, and could afford it. Am
like her sister and her brother, was q
heart an earnest student
Being a member of the chorus CAV
her certain privileges. She was enol
mOusly eager about the new work. an
chartered about the great singers sh
could now see. and the way they lOol