Prima Donna’s Romance.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 2, 12 January 1907, Page 49

Prima Donna’s Romance.

BLIND MILLIONAIRE’S LOVE FOR THE SINGER.

ONE STIPULATION.

A romance of the deepest pathos and human interest lies behind the statement made recently that Mme. Calve, the famous prima donna, is to be married to a blind man.

Although Mme. Calve has not made up her mind to be married, and cannot yet even he said to be engaged, the attachment between her and her blind lover is a touching story, of which the “Express” (so it asserts) is able to give exclusive details.

Mme. CaTve’s admirer is an Englishman by birth who went over to America and acquired an immense fortune, which now amounts to at least £5.000.000. His love for the famous prima donna dates from the day when, in full possession of his eyesight, he saw her perform in the romantic opera “Carmen” while touring the United States. Her wonderful personality and the charms of her voice and acting deeply impressed him at the time.

Shortly afterwards the tragedy occurred which led to the loss of the millionaire’s evesight. While visiting one of his gold mines in Alaska in company with the chief engineer, a blasting charge exploded prematurely. and blinded both the millionaire and the engineer. For three weeks the millionaire was kent J” a dark room in the mining camn wiH> his eves bandaged in the hope that, his sight might be restored. HTS ONE ATM. He had not been told of the dreadful nrobabilitv that his sight was permanent lv gone. vVben all hone of its hej-g restored.had vanished the bandages were TPrnnved. “Turn on tho Herhts.” Be T am all right now.” But the lights were on the sun was shining br’ghtlv on the camp, and he had to bo told the terrible truth.

Then came back to him with renewed fervour his admiration for the great Calve, whom he had seen iust before leaving for Alaska. His whole mind became absorbed in the one obiect of meeting her. and winning her love. The opportunity came during Mme. Calve’s tour in Ameri-a this year. She was travelling from Vancouver to San Francisco via Seattle, and the blind mT lionaire contrived to have a special saloon attached to the train in which she was making the iourney. While on the train he obtained an introduction, met Mme. Calve freouently during the iourney. and obtained a promise that when next in France he might visit her.

Mme. Calve had almost forgotten the episode, when last September the millionaire drove up in a motor car to her chateau at Cabrieres. There, during a short visit, he. was entertained hospitably. and on this occasion broached the subject of marriage. Mme. Calve declared that she cou’d not possibly promise to marry him unless she had 6 months to think it over. YACHTING TOUR.

This period ends in March, but on the 25th of this month Mme. Calve will accompany the millionaire, his sister, his two nieces, and his chaplain on a yachting tour to Egypt. Mme. Calve is deeply touched by the tragedy of this blind man who is devoting his life to win her love, and by the end of the voyage she will have made up her mind whether she can honestly say that she loves him sufhcientlv to marry him.

The millionaire, on his part, only makes one stipulation If he is to marry Mme. Calve she must give up the stage as a profession. He will not object to her singing at charity concerts, and he undertakes to build her a theatre in Paris of which she may be manageress and where she may bring out the young and promising artists. The millionaire is a man of great piety, and is accompanied everywhere by his special chaplain. He has showered presents of diamonds on Mme. Calve, and even offered her his immensely valuable family jewels which, however, she refused.

Mme. Calve is perfectly frank about the romantic attachment. “I care nothing for 'his millions,” she said to one of her friends, “I have plenty of money of my own. I will not marry him unless I am certain I ean give him my love.”