Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-09-30

IllI|lll|ll MISUNDERSTANDING
=. To find it slightly ajar! He remembered
clearly Of having l6cked it before going out.
He flung it wide, reached in a hand, and
turned the light button. He made two i'm.
portant discoveries. First, that the contract
with the Great Adventure Company was no
longer in the bureau drawer; second, that his
trunk lock had been broken and that the
prospectus, the photograph of Bellman, and
the synopsis of his adventures had vanished :
along with the contract! ~ ~
First blood, Bancroft admitted grimly:H
stewart-for the purloiner could be none
advantage of his regular abb
sences at night, had struck with unexpected
swiftness and from an unsupported angle;
almost as if he HAD been assured of his,
Bancroft's, intention to deposit the docu.
ments in the bank on the morrow and had
Anticipated the possibility of such a move
So here he was, without a line to prove that
he had entered into any agreement with the ,
Great Adventure Company, with nothing to
prove that such a concern even existed.
Stewart must not find the copy Of that
affidavit in which he, Bancroft, had sworn
that If he. signed any document it would be
through physical or moral coercion, and yet
he must keep it about his person, handily.
AL S1e III liz 1ouibA al E~
between the ribbon and the felt of his hat.
He had a feeling that this document was the !
3 only trump he held. How he would come,
to the use of it lay in the future.
Bancroft went to bed and fell into a series
of troubled dreams. Whenever his fathers
face intruded there was calm; whenever
Stewards, stress and storm. with Nancy'a
face and Jenny's and Cralg's oooiy cut
ting>in. =
Promptly at two o'clock that afternoon
Nancy appeared before the door to Sor.
%rentino's apartment. She did mot press the :.
bell at once, but stared with ironical specu-'
lation at the dark pans, as If she expected
that there would appear, summoned by the
sheer force of her will, some handwriting
touching upon the immediate future.
OF what breed was shea thoroughbred
or a wilmer? If there was a blow in there
would she come forth standing or crushed?
The door opened. She did not remember
having touched the bell. ~,
Il am Miss Bowman" she managed to
say. Il have an appointment"
The. Italian manservant bowed and ges.
tured for her to enter. He led her toward
the music room and Sorrentino himself met
her warmly at the threshold. .
"Ah! A young lady who is prompt!" he
said. He spoke English 1uently. His rowing
professional glance took in the slender but
rounded body, the rudy hair. and the golden
q skin, the splendid hazel eyes; a young
Violetta. That she could act vivaciously,
that she was lively and bewitching, he al
ready kneY. What he particularly admired
was the lack Of theatrical assurance. She
was not f1ustered, but she was evidently
anxious. Where is your music-the COM
positions you wish to sing to me?"
II am going to leave that to you, Signor,"
she answered in excellent Italian.
"Signorina, you please me-" he said in his
native tongue. Come in to the piano.
The top of the piano was Uttered with the
scores Of all the famous. operas, and out Of
this medley Sorrentino selected two songs
which he was tolerably certain she would
know-from Martha and Linda di Chamouni.
He tried her in comedy and tragedy; he
gave her voice every possible opportunity;
what is more, he gave her a full hour. %,
"E inito!" he cried at last, dismissing the
accompanist. my friend, the Signor Craig
who should be a famous pianist-told me
that you would want the truth, Signorina.
Do you?" e..
~ Eyes If my endeavors are being wasted
1 ought to be made aware of it."
Your voice is wonderful for the work to
which you now apply it. 1t is clear, true,
and sweet. You are a born comedienne, Sig
norma, just as a grand opera singer is born.
All the study and application in the world
will not make Of you what you are not. First
of all, endurance, an iron will, and an iron
> body. In a little time you will be rich and
famous. Make them give you light opera
with real music,
1.-THE truth, Signor!" she interrupted, un.
Outstanding whittier these compliments were
leading.
But Sorrentino continued serenely. II am
giving you the benefit of my observation and
experience, Signorina. I repeat, in light
opera you will become irresistible. You are
now the lark in the meadows. wholly free.
g, Why seek to become the nightingale and live
e%ternally in a cage, in fear of draughts, the
rain the snow, the temperature of rooms,
the pleasant little vices of the table? To
study always, to be subjected to implacable
jealousies! All, believe me who knows, the
diva is never SO happy and ~carefree as the
soubrette.' ~ w.
Tell me what 1 lack. signor."
"Your voice is beautiful, but weak. There
are many beautiful voices, but only q few
threats which can meet the tremendous calls
made upon them. The grand opera throat is
peculiarly a gift from heaven; it cannot be
fashioned by study. You might go a little
way. in minor parts, but in the end your
courage would ebb and your heart break.
How many women are conspicuously great in
grand opera? You can count them on the
fingers Of one hand. Five ont Of an army OF
half a million! 1t is easy to lie, 1t is difficult
to tell the truth; but 1 am what / am because
! have always told the truth. Had 1 moi
seen you last night l would have told you
the truth after the first song, perhaps rough
~. But you made me laugh last night, and I
owed you something for that. But you!" He
laughed Pleasantly. "Ah! To sing as 70,
do, and to make your audience laugh! What
more do you wish?" Then. gravely: !" Who
set you. upon this pathi You interest, me-"
My adopted father" II
HE was a musician" .r,,
Yes; a vocal teacher
What other teachers?" #4
She named them.
" Good" he said. "Yoyu havS been well in
structed In the cultivation Of your voice, blu
you have been misdirected as to tts possj
\ bilities." 1900 @., AS S&F
AL my study, all my self.denial-" II
/" No, no! he interrupted, intuitivaely takint
the word out Of her mouth; .never wasted