, 1873-05-04
MALlBRAN.:.

the long, narrow easements flashing down upon
f1ac-stones wet with "a recent shower; two or
three carriages driving slowly up to the heavy
portals that looked f1owning1y down, grim with
carving ind black with age. ;.
From these vehicles, heavy and cu1nbrous in
fashion, emerge men famous in history, IN art,
in the world Of polite literature.
It was one If Senior Garcias receptions, and
his large drnwing-room8 wore boing rapidly filled
With tile elite Of Madrid. The curiously antique
furniture, heavy mirrors paneling the walls,
choice paintings end statues cleaning whitley
under blazing chandeliers the few lady relatives
Of the great composer in their taatcful costumes
tho rich draperies, tho rooms opening into
each other. the distinguished appearance Of tho
company, mado q picture beautiful enough To
satisfy tho most fastdious taste. 49,
In the midst Of all this splondor, little girl,
lovely as m angel, fitted about from room to.
room, and, as with timid smiles she answered the
questions put to her by one and another, attrnct-
ed general and almiring attention.
Tho child WAS not over s years Of age. Hor
complexion WAS clear and pure her eyes we're
hazel, with tingo OF amber In their depths,
large, 1ustrous, and appealing her hair, noarly
black and very lustrous, rippled in waves over
her pretty shoulders. But for the han-friShten~
cd expression with which sho received the ad-
vances Of both frierils and strangers, she wonld
have seemed fau1t1esa. For SO small q creature
there Ens singular refinement and dellcacy
about her movements, aud, in all the city Of
Madrid, there was not swceter CHILD than
Marie Isabel Garcia. ....
Presently tho rooms woro quite filled; lttlo
groups had gathered about tho tab1oa and IN the
corners. They seemed to be discussing some
matter Of importance.
"Crossing the Prado, I mot one. Of tho
Kings guards, y said tai. gaunt-loo!Mtng man,
confirmed tho news OF Gen. hego's arrest, and
doubtless he with several OF the moro liberal
mobiles, will bo executed" ......
-"Does Garcia know - asked ayoung man,
whose long, yellow hair fell in threads like gold
over his coat-colla~..
| "Yes, fnncy he does he seems preoccu-
pied tonight but bark! who is playing7"
"Garcia himself I. know his touch. No
wonder he gets such enormous prices fear
he will fare hardly il his friend the General
should be executed; and undoubtedly he will be.
Let us 60 forward and hear him; that is his new
opera:
The two friends made their way to that part
Of the room where the famous composer was
playing to crafty ton enthusiastic admirers.
He was O tall man, sallow and storm, with deep-
set, brilliant eyes, intensely black lips COM
| pressed and firm and an expression Of haugh-
! II 1eticence. At tho close OF his per-
formance came rapturous outburat OF applause.
| Tho composer did not appear to heed it. he
lifted his head, and looked ABOUT him.
"Ah VarienB |" he exclaimed, at sight OF
stout man with laughing eyes. ''you shall hear
! my little daughter sing you remember when
| YOU called my attention to her voice She has
been practising since then. Marie :! Mario u be
| called, almost harshly.
! There was stir in the crowd, and the child
appeared, her little hand clasped in that Of her
aunt; Al the glow ip .her eyes ana chse5s .a haa
"stand her On chair" said Garcia, frowning
as he spoke, perhaps angry at the clnld'a tim
idity, and ho looked in the eyes raised to hls
! with bent brows, till the child seemed to grow
resolute and, at his nod, poured her little voice
| out in quaint, pretty madrigal.,
| How still It wasl every other sound Was
hushed, every eye was turned upon tna5 i,ny
| notes rich as rare.
Wonderful!" said Varieus; shut then
| looked for it when caught her mocking the
thrill Of her bird. Yos, there's the ring Of the
| true metal congratulate You, my old friend
In this dolicate organ" and he pointed to the
throat that even now seemed to throb with tho
| pulses Of hidden melody, "you have q mine OF
gold" ...,. .,,ouu,, h;a a,rh
eyes frightened, "n care and patience can mako
| her the first prima donna Of the world, that ahe
sheu bel"
The woman took charge Of Marie, and kissed
aud retted hor. Once away from tie sight OF
| that awe-inspiring glance. the faint color came
hack to her cheeks, and the child-Gght to her
"You sweet angel" said q beautiful young
girl, hooelng before the seat on which the httie
ein9er had been placed, show is it thst you made
tho tears come to my eyes? Do you moan to be
| q famous singer ono Of these daysf
| The child toycd with the brown curls that fell
! upon her lap. "Papa makes mo sing" Eho said,
simply. ,-,,u,
eyes, when am ali alone with birdie; but he
! make5 me shako my threat she ndded, putting
dimpled fingers under her chin: :,
"And the darling can trill little even now,
said tho girl, speaking to an older ID Mm lsdy; .oo,,
| Suddenly there was commotion in the room,
| men gathered together, end low murmur OF
discomfort swelled to a louder tone OF o1ecra-
ton.
"aen. Riego is executed by order Of tho King
who next ~
! The guests looked fearfu1ly in each others
eves. Her, and tlero was one known to have
expressed Liberal views. at any momcnt thoy
t we're in the powor of accusers. Garcia vent
from ono to- another, talking i'll low VOICE;
| There was no more mualc-no moro uBut auo
| merry converse. -.
| Vanens followed his friend. :.
"Gatcia." he said, "you had better get nway
| from Madrid, and take your sineing-bird with
you When Kings forgot common gratitude no
| body is safo."
This he said in allus1on to the fact that the
General 80 inhumanly killed had once saved the
life Of Ferdinand VII
Tho company dispersed in ailence.
:! Little Mario had been takon to bed by her
nurse, and Was now asleep- Later, the nurse
was called to the door Of the nurscry by Garcia
himself.
"You are to pack the sonohta's things before
daybrenk," he said, "apd prepare her for travel
ing. We must leave the city. You Gun go with
us il you wish in case you do, you must be roady
~ That Al ri, nicht nobody alept but tho child Early
IN the morning d gloomy old carriage stood at
the door. Little Marie, confused md frlghten'
ed. was lifted in; her nurse followed; then Gar
cia took the back seat trunks we're piled on
heavy boxes full Of choice muaic and case o.
instruments in which were packed away
Garcias violin and guitar, both instruments ages
aWhero sro re going, papa7" asked Mare,
| her little VOICE trembling. .
l. HSilence !" said Garcia, sternly.
They stopped at Cadiz after long, tiresome
Journey. From there they went BY water to Vera
Cruz, and reached the City Of Mexico " d!!l.
| -...n uara thu cnrnnoger aonn found friends.