, 1873-05-04

interest; That lucky stroke Of Wi1lfulness had
gained the day. 49,.
What posol he thought; "what fire
what traglo force!" and began to cogitate ho"
ne should best further her interests.
!" Are you willing to compete with p" and
he mentioned the name OF a famous star thens
singing at the Royal Theatre.
'"Y Yes, with any ono, WAS the replv
:. linen Will see what can be done ~ sud,
with many courteous assurances, he LETT her
presence. =. ....
Three weeks later singular announcement
WAS made in tho London papers.
Two rival singors were to make their appear
ance On the came night at the Grand 0para-
House-tho then TeiGning prinaa-donna and
Madame Nalibran, formerly senorita Marie Gra-
cia, Of tlo Spanish and American thoatres They
were to follow each other in the. same role, and
the public were to judge which was to bo the fu-
ture favorite of the people.
So novel proposal set s1l London on fire.
Tho theatre was crowded from pit to donna On
the hial-night thousands we're unable to OBJ
tain an entrance. The streets Wero packed be-
fore the doors were opened. Immense eums
wero paid for standing-room. The nobility Of
Wa; on hfo; wagors were made OF the most ex-
travagant character. Nobody doubted for d mo-
mant the continued supremacy Of the present
idol; and, when she came on, tho great building
raue with applauso-eTen tho lalies stood up,
and her name WAS On every lip.
Hark! compete with voice like that (? It was
uadnesa to try: Who was this immature Girl
who had won the plaudits Of crude Amcricans2
Either insane, or Nh IDIOT 3.
Then there Was great hush.
Mslibran was expected-but only to ho cxtin-
guishod.
In that almost awful silence she entered, pn1e
as dcath, for abe would not rouge, her beautiful
great eyes turned imploringly toward the
Strangely excited audience.
4 mur1nur ran the rounds.
"E1ceedingy beautiful Lovely as q seraphl
But with that physique she will surely fall
Ahi they had not heard the liquid wonder Of
that nightingals's throat. =
5 Then came the crash Of the grand orchestra.
at first, yet clear as a flute. On 1t rolled.
that marvellous, impasaioned melody. Men
hold their breath and leaned forward;
not rustling fan disturbed the sound; not
an eye left heE face. Then came that CUR
gli9Vg, brd-1ike tril1, such as no other human
organ ever reached, and tho entranced listeners
rose en- masse. For time. tho applause was
almost fTightful. Women clutched their jewels
from arms and bosoms and threw them on the
stage at her feet; men we're white with their
wonderful tuInult ever Witnessed.
A wreath Of hurel, composed Of brii1iants and
enerals, Taa sent in by the entrance OF the
stagai she Vas overwhelmed with the rapture
she had herself evoked, and stood there painting,
her glorious oyes shining through tears, like
diamonds, her cheeks flushed, her hands out
spread, as if to push back the Burging tide
stood there triumphant the diuine MAlIBaAr!
That night, as ahe walked rapidly back and
forth in tie silence OF her own room feeling that
henceforth she WAS to 60 out as conqueror, the
ons drop OF bitterness foated on tho surface OF
her trimming cup. Her dream waa accomplished.
There we're the letters Of gold and fire written up
On the heaven Of her triumph; but Mnibrant he
the pail OF hilence, even Of disgrace, enyeloped
him it it's heavy folds. - -