Litchfield enquirer., 1873-05-15

| DObAA 6AICAAALSbC1Y A10GCL11lA W1tA bu0 naDpY absorption of musicians, and wondering how Ogiostros visit would affect them selves. The two had never been on quite easy terms since his departure from Schloss that wintry morning, more than two years ago; but they felt the same to- wards him. He was especially theirprod- igal, all the more welcome because of his long and apparently forgetfu1 absence.
 That very evening the Countess receiv- ed the musicians homage as she sat next to him at the Ducal banquet given in his honor; but Helena had to wait for the next day to pass, and the next, before any sign of remembrance came from him.
 When iStid come in the shape of 8 pres- ent of flowers and music, accompanied by an invitation to play duets that very af- ternoon, she felt no more envy of the Countess or of any one else whose privil- eges may have come first. The old delight ful relationship of master and pupil was about to be renewed, and she wanted no more. What relationship, indeed, can be compared to that of a musician and his disciple, inspirer and inspired? Some a1- most divine emanation seems to be im- parted from teachr of music who is real ly an enthusiast, putting genius out of the question.
 He greeted her warmly, and after very little talk they sat down to the piano. Helena noticed that the Maestro was more than usually excited, and that as he play ed he seemed rather trying to exercise some demon of una uiet thought, than to call up some angelic vision. And so in- deed it was. In the midst of a wild and beautiful composition of his own he broke of, drew deep breath, and rose from the plano.
 l will play no more to-day" he said "Has 1t ever happened to you, little Hele- na, to feel.that the thing you love best in the world jars, disturbs-nay, tortures? So it is with music at this moment I can play. but the sounds evoke are pain ful to me. Let us do something else. Suppose SlQp Me go into the garden and take
 It was perfect June day, and the mu- sician's little summer-house, which was covered with roses and honeysuckle, in- vited dreamy mood. He gradually lost his unquiet expression, growing instead pensive and abstracted. Never before had Helena seen her beloved Maestro so unlike himself. Had she not possessed l that fine tact which is part of the true- born artists organization, she would have plunged into some good-natured congrat- ulations, really as ill-timed as they would have seemed opportune. As it was, she said nothing, though the sympathy writ ten in her face soothed and cheered him. ''I dare say things will come right in time, when l am old and wise and gray" he said with faint smile, "and you can no more help me out of my troubles than you can cure me of my follies. But talk to me of yourself, dear child. Are you doing well and when shall we be able to send you to Paris and London? You must be twenty now, and old enough to go into the world and make your mark"
 They chatted of Helena's prospects for half an hour, and he fell into his naturally genial and affeetionate manner, when he looked at his watch and jumped up with | dismay. ''Past five oclock!' he cried, ''and promised to wait on the Duchess at half-past four, and her Serene High ness's temper is not of the best Adieu, | adieu We shall meet tomorrow evening l at the torchlight festival the Duke has commanded on my account Do not fail to be there, and look your prettest, to l please me. <.. l He pushed of, and Helena went away, wondering how it happened that her be- loved Maestro could be so absent and melancholy in the midst of his tripmphs. His table was covered with cards and notes of invitation. His side-board was loaded with gifts of flowers and fruit. A new piano, homage of some admirer, stood in the music room What could it be that weighed upon his spirits
 l Poor inexperienced Helena had no idea, l in the first place, how easy it is for an open-hearted man like the Maestro to get into pecuniary difficulties His notions of the necessaries of life had somewhat changed since leaving Poppenheim nearly three years ago, and if there were no othr CT ties to recall him to the gay cities he loved so we'll, there were his debts And then, in the second place, she did not know what other entanglements wander ing musician may get into, whose ideas of 1 duty and happiness are bounded by con- posing good music and having pretty woman at hand to criticise it. She pre- pared for the coming festival somewhat 1 sadly.
 It was to be one of unusual splendor. The white muslin dress she ironed with such care, looked so worn, so old-foshion- 1 ed, so shabby If she could only find casket of jewels in her chamber, like Gretchen
 1 VT. HOW THE THREE EPISODES ENDED. i The festival in honor of Ogliostro prom ised to be great success. The weather was magnificent None of the arrange ments had fallen through in consequence of bad management. Everything was ready in time.
 A more picturesque sight than the park presented that summer evening can hard iy be imagined. An open space, lawn shaped, had been set aside for the enter tainment. Foremost among the illumina- tions were the letters composing the mu- sician's name, whilst Chinese lanterns and torches lighted up dusky alley and glade. 1 At the farther end of the enclosed space, 8 1 tent had been erected for the banquet, dazzling the eyes of the more homely guests with its display of shining plate and sparkling crystal, flowers, fruit, and decorations Banners and garlands were hung around; and to add to the splendor of the occasion, military music was to open and conclude the proceedings.
 The programme was rather long. First of all came the banquet and the crowning of the hero with the silver wreath; then a gipsy entertainment, singing and dancing by trained performers; finally, an open air dance and torchlight procession. The Duke contributed the banquet, but the other entertainments were organized by l OSuOSLrO Irl0uuS, dOmlreES, Auu puPAS.
 At seven o'clock precisely, the little company, numbering in ali about fifty persons, most of them musicians. sat down to supper. A merry supper it was, all the more enjoyed because to most of the guests such feast was an event in life. The Grand Duke had kindly with held his presence. so that Ogliostro and his guests were perfectly unrestrained. Stories were told, toasts were given, glass es were touched, without fear of offence, and all were sorry when they had to rise from the table.
 The affair of the coronation was little dull. Ogliostro at least looked unmistak- ably bored, and on the plea of having no hair-pins at hand, laid the silver wreath aside. But the donors consoled them selves with the thought that if he would not wear 1t in life, at least it would decorate | Ixyrxr, ,vhn,, ha aooA r4.s.. s