The Washington times., 1938-05-14

HUSH, Qear, Sdlu' ACS IL
ment house.
"You can't expect everything to
be perfect. Remember, we're liv'
ing In the heart Of the old French
quarter in New Orleans! You
should appreciate the local color"
He grumbled, Smells! That
wouldn't have surprised me-but
such bellowing!" He glanced
around the high vaulted rooms at
the faded elegance of a long van,
iShed day. Must have been the
home of some grandee once"
1T was" I said, and we're very
lucky to get rooms here. They are
not rented to the casual tourist. II
my cousins husband hadn't t
known Madame Le Rue's SON.
IN OLD NEW ORLEANS
He gave a shout Of laughter.
"Oh, you Southerners with your
endless kinfolk and acquaintances!
Never mind, well stay. I can en-.
dure anything you can" He mo-
toned toward the the great claw
footed bed in the corner. That
wooden monument Is surprisingly
comfortable, and the food"
Come" I said, "the coffee's
dripped."
We sat down at the little table in
front of the long open windows.
New Orleans in January. The per
fumed sunshine intoxicated one
like winel
Into all this golden peace the
stentorian voice burst again.
II can't stand the strain longer"
I said. II must see what he looks
like"
ran to the windows in the next
room and concealed behind the
lace of the curtains, watched the
apartment directly across the mar
row court. Its long French windows
were thrown open, giving a com
plete view of the room.
At one side, pacing up and
down, while he roared and bel
lowed, was q plump, short, middle
aged man. The tight black trous'
ers, loose white shirt open at the
throat, red sash wrapped around
his ample middle, long hair thrown
back from a heroic brow-where
had I seen all this?
Suddenly I knew. Don Jose in
the tavern scene Of Carmen.
Now I could even distinguish a few
of the words.
But such q voice! How can
make one understand who did not
hear it? Once it had been great
Now it was like gazing at the ruins
of a noble cathedral.
The aria was drawing to a close
Once again he approached the
empty chair and in the florid
style OF italian opera fell on his
knees beside it and sobbed out his
heart in broken tones. r.
OPERA HASBEEN
He held the pose even after his
voice had ceased.
Then I heard the gentle patte1
Of two hands in applause! A sweet
voice said in careful English with
a. delicate flavor Of French, "Ah
mon mari, you sing so perfect! II
is more bettair than ever before
You will be the sensation Of al
the opera this year!"
He came across the room to the
speaker. I had not noticed her be
fore. A great easy chair sat In a
niche by the windows. ShameleSSlJ
I watched him kneel and take in
his arms the fragile figure that
lay wrapped in Shawls.
"Ah, my AngeleI # only you
might attend, just the once! Heal
the braves from the crowds!"
Gently he laid her back after the
embrace. But it is late!" He un
wound the red sash, buttoned his
collar, donned a dark coat
Pedro does not give to the buSi
ness the care-I must CO."
AS in a daZe, I returned to the
breakfast table. AbSent-mindedlJ
slipped lukewarm coffee. II cam
understand it," I murmured be
tween bites Of a cruller. "Sht
thought he was great"
Madame La Rue met me on thu
stairs as I came down. She alsC
had her basket on her arm. AS VI
passed through the long pavec
alleyway beside the Cathedral OF
our way to the French market, VI
converSed sedately.
do you like your rooms?"
"Oh, yes, very much. It is 81
near all the interesting places O.
old New Orleans. Much nicer thar
staying at the big new hotels away
uptown. We are quite happy"
Then you do not mind Signol
Amato's Singing?"
"Oh, mol" I said, eaten witt
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