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194 "One hundred gulden and free lodgings."

"Ye gods! and you have thousands lying in your throat! I engage you immediately for the Royal Opera."

The look of joy which had filled the eyes of the amazed singer died away as, after a moment's hesitation, he replied: "It is impossible; I can't leave here." "Why not, you young fool?" cried Salieri. "I cannot; if I go away from Willersdorf I—I must leave Lise—and—" answered the blushing lover. "Ha, ha!" laughed the count. "Well, my man, I will give you lessons free and a hundred gulden a month the first year and after that double the amount, so you had better let Lise wait a couple of years." "It—no," murmured the amorous swain, "she would marry the miller's son, and I can't go—I won't go," and with a hasty bow he made his departure.

Palffy felt himself outraged, but the wily Italian only laughed and said: "Have him removed to Vienna; the fatal charmer will be faithless, we will accidentally meet him, and he will then gladly accept your offer."

Now, the office of school teacher in Austria is held by governmental appointment. Palffy knew how to pull the wires and some months later found the unsuspecting tenor in Vienna. 'Twas not long ere his beloved Lise verified his darkest forebodings, and found a handsomer man; yielding to the entreaties of Salieri, who had chanced (?) across him, Haizinger sought solace for his wounded heart in the divine art. A year passed and scarlet posters announced the debut of this wonderful tenor. He was to appear as "Tamino" in the "Magic Flute," and far and near had been spread the predictions of his wonderful success.

A great crowd had gathered to hear the new tenor. Haizinger was so affected by stage fright that he had to be flung onto the stage by the manager when the time came for his appearance. He was awkward, and even his wonderful voice seemed to have failed him. But