Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1873-04-10
SELECTED STORY
An ITALIAN TRAGEDY.

STARLIGHT in Venice. The gondola
glided swiftly through the still waters
of the broad lagune. 1t was SO late in
the night that half of the ancient pal
aces which arose in all the grandeur OF
the old Venitian architecture on either
side Of the canals, were gloomily light
less; but the soft stars doomed out SO
brightly in the darkness Of the Italian
midnight that the still depths OF the
stream were paved with golden lights,
and the dark gondola moved through
the quiet waters like dream of peace.
A story of Venice and of woman's
heart. Venice and Passion. The
words are similarly suggestive. There
is no ferocity, no treachery like that
which kindles in a leoparls eye
There is no passion, ocean deep and
illilnitable, Ike that which glows be-
meath the quiet mask Of Venice.
Beppo occupied the interior of the
gondola with Esmeralda. The regal
beauty and splendor Of this woman,
which had so long illuminated the Vene
tan stage as its most steadtast star,
was on the wane;but she would Rot con-
TESS it to her own heart.
Beppo, the maestro at her side, had
brought her forth as a public songs
tress, as he had produced many before
her, and, moreover, was her lover.
The passion which he had at one time
entertained for Esmeralda was slowly
cooling. She was becoming advanced
in years, was growing stout, and
though as a fixture she would long re-
main q favorite, the meridian of her
triumph had been reached and passed.
Besides, there were younger candidates
for the laurels of the operate stage, and
fresher faces, and it was very natural
that the maestro Beppo should be
fond of both freshness and youth.
But he was just as engaging, just as
self sacrificing, to all appearance, as he
had ever been.
"Tell me, Beppo," said Esmeralda,
"what will be the success Of thy new
pupil, Viola?"
Excellent, I trust, Esmsralda," re
piled the maestro. To morrow even
ing will tell the tale. Of course, it will
rebound to my own advantage if her
success is great
''She must have a marvellous voice
for substantial success" said Esrneralda,
with sheer, ''for, most assuredly, she
cannot throw into the scale the add
tional weight of personal charms"
"And yet said Beppo, musingy, 81
have seen those who though her beau
tiful- heavenly"
.SYoa do not think her 500" exclaim-
ed Esmeralda, very sharply and very
quickly.
'.That would be impossible"
"Wherefore?"
s'Because," said the maestro Beppo,
and taking her white hand in his
while he drew her, all toe willing ly, tc
his lips '.becuuse I am the accepted
lover of Esmeralda, the Queen of Ven
ice." ......
81 will be better for thee, .Beppo, il
it is SO" she cried, vehemently; sfol
| would no more brook rival in my
heart than upon the stage. Come! We
are at the palace gate. Good night
Giovanni! Here is Horin for thy faith
full oar
She tossed the boatman piece O.
silver, and, followed by her lover, pro
! ceeded up the marble steps which lee
from the water to the palace door.
Upon the following night, the great
theater of Venice was crammed t.
suffocation. 1t was the debut Of thu
young prima donna, Viola. The know
ledge that Signor Beppo had been pre-
pairing her for the opera for many
| months, was alone sufficient to crar
the theater. l.. 80
"What is Beppo's last!"
| eve are dying for fresh songsters
When will Beppo, the maestro, cage
fresh-singing birds"
| what! going to Florence for mus
|.ic! Why; Beppo brings forth his fresf
one tomorrow"
Such were the expressions Of thu
day, and even the peerless beauty, thf
still splendid beauty Of Esmeralda
could not lessen the excitement occa
stoned BY the first appearance Of Viola
who was a stranger in Venice. Ever
her personal appearance was but little
known. She was a wild bird from thu
Tyrol, with nothing. but her mountain
piumage and her young voice for re
S;oror Renno sat in the proceniun