The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1873-04-17


directed this way as though you WerO up
on the stage"
A blush of pleasure OverSpread tho soft
cheek Of the lady, aud her eyes boamed
with devY lu,Ho.
Tell me the truth, BeppO," she said,
= dost thou think that thy Viola, thy new
sonrstress. whom | have never seen, will
win the laurels from thy brOVs3'
The glance from her dark eyes was so
Dierciugly iuquisitire that BepPO would
not. then aud there, have told here the
truth for his weight in gold.
The curtains arose, aud Viola appeared
upon the stage.
1t va, moment Of universal aud de-
lighttul surprise She was not only Su'
prcmcly beautiful, but churmiugly fresh
aud lovely, With the free air other mouO'
tain home,
At the trying momeut-Whou evory'
thing depends, and there can be no help
iug haud-wben all try so desperately,
aud uine.teuthS fail-sbe did not quail
The opening part was difficult one
Clear. fresh, healthful, volumiuous, her
brave voice SCARED alOh. SnatChing iD-
tuitivcIy the mystery Of the music, and
rnhiIiarly the inmo't spirit Of
the authors inspiration, She flung for.
maIities to the winds, and strobe forth free
and uutrammolcd, a genius and great
prima donna-au empress Of music and Of
song.
Wher the curtain descended upon the
6rst act, a tremendous applause announced
the success Of the debutunt, aud told, E'
meralda that she must, Perforce, surren'
der the sceptro Of her power 10 Venice
BeppO was filled with intense grAtifca
ton. lie so proud that be forgot even to
fearthe woman at bis side
Traitor" bissed Esmernlda Thou
hast lied to,mq utterly! But do not think
that | will tamely submit to being replaced
by this peasant of the Alps! |, at least,
eau help to mar her triumph"
"COpo di Chrtsto" he hissed, between
bis cleucBed teeth. "IfllO1 interest one
word that the audience can bear, Twill
stabilize 10 the eyes Of all Venice"
By strong efOrt-an effort which
a woman makes City timcs in alifetimo,
and mover succeeds 10 doug more than
Esmeralda controlled herself, and
said to SignOr Beppo;
Enough! Why should | care? There
is no flower that must not fade with the
G ,urse Of time; aud my summer has been
a long one. II is even now tue spring of
the year, and the violet is in season -
Good night; | EiII stay no longer" /
wvh thee success with thy new warbler
from the mOuntSius Ny gOudoIier awaits
me at the foot ofthe stair. | require no
escort. Good night"
Beppo knew that this was the in'I
breach between them; but be was in'OI-
icated with bis own triumph, and could
aTord 10 slight her scoru. Immediately
after tho departure Of Esmeralda, the box
was filled With isadmirers Of both sexes,
and the success Of Viola was augmented al
every phase There was wine and ban
ouet afterward 1t VAS near morning
when be remembered bis appointment to
meet Viola at the palace Of friend, aOd
tbesilluminated dial on the Tower of St
Mark. npprised him that he bad but a f'"
to spare
!: BeppO was not altogether sober when he
strayed down the marble steps Of the thea
tre Leading into the water, 10 search Of a
.sohtdolier. The swarthy Giovanni waS
the,oDly one who happened to be lurking
10 the shadow Of tho cOIODusde
"Giovsnni" said BGppo, "row me Epeedi'
ly TO tho palace Of CoIouns By the way
didst thou convey the SiguOra Esmeralda
to her bOme2"
"YeD. Siguor. She departed three
hours ago for her palace, accompanied BY
Viola l brought the message to tho
Signorp Viola as coming from thine own
lips, Signor."
9 Beppo had one foot on the suOWal' Of
the goudola, but be drew back suddenly,
and appeared completely sObered.
How savest thou?" ho cried, while .