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

- w.
ed swiftly through the 'till waters Of the
broad lnguue. /, was so late iu the night
that bali Of The ancient palaces which arose
in all the grandeur Of 'be old Veni'ian
architecture on either side Of the canals,
we're glOomily ligh,lcss; but the soft stars
bloOmed out so brightly in the darkness
Of the Italian midnight that the still
depths Ofthe strcpU were paved With gold.
en- lights, and the dark gondOla moved
through the quiet waters like dream Of
peace.
A story of Venice SDdof WoUAn'' heart.
Venice aud Passion The words are Simi'
lorly suggestive. There is not fcroci'y
no treacbery like that which kiDdloS in a
leOpard's eye There is no passion, ,OcGan
deep and alimilbbe, like that which glows
beneath the quiet mask Of Venice.
Beppo occupied the interior Of the gou'
dolA With EsmgrOldA, The regal beauty
and splcudor otlIis woman, which had so
long Illuminated the Venetian stage as its
most Hesdhst star, was on the, .RAne;
but she would not confess it to her own
heart,
Beppo, the maestro at her side, had
brought her forth as public sOugOtreS', As
be had produced many before her, and,
moreover, was her lover, The passion
which be bad at one time entertained for
Esmeralda was slowly cooling She was
becoming advanced in years, was growing
stout, aud though as fixture she would
long remain a fAvOrite, the meridian Of
her triumph bGd been reached aud passed
Besides, tlere were younger candidates
for the laurelS Of the operatic stage, and
fresber faces, and it WIS very natural that
the maestro Beppo should be fond Of both
freshness and youth.
But he was just as engaging. just rs
self,ucrifciOg, to all appearance, " be
bad ever tcep.
Tell me, BePpO," said E'merAldA.
what will be the success Of thy new Pu
pill, Viola2"
Excellent, | trust, E'uferalda," re.
piled the maestro. Tomorrow evening
FWilIieltthettle: or course it will re.
douud to my own advantage il her success
is great"
"She mu,t'hsve.A marvellous voice for
substantial succers," said Esmcralda, with
suecr; "for, most ,"uredIy, abe cannot
throw into The scale the additional weight
Of personal charms"
"Aud yet, said BePpO. mu'iOgly' Il
have seen those who thought her beautiful
heavenly"
You do not think her so!" exclaimed
Esneraldo, very sharply and very quick
y.
THAT would be impossible
"Whcrefore?"
Because, said the maestro BePPo'
and taking her white hands in s,wbi)e be
drew her, all too willing, 40 bis Iip'-"be-
csuse | am the accepted lover Of EsmeraIdn
the Queen of Venice"
1T will be better for thee. BrPfo' il it
is So" she cried, vehemily; for | would
no more brook rival in my heart than
upon the stage. Gene! we are 1.-THE
palace gate. Good night, Giovadn! Here
is a form for thy faithful Oar.PG' T.
She tossed the boatmuD a piece OfsiHer'
and followed By her lover, proceeded up
the uarbel steps which led from the water
to the palace door :.
Upon the following night, the great
tbester Of Venice was crammed to sufOca'
ton. 1t was The debut Of the young Pri'
m, donna, Viola. The knowledge thai
siguor Beppo had been preparing her for
the opero for uauy months, was alone sut'
Gcieut to cram the theAter,
"What is BeppOS lA''3"
1--WE are dying for fresh 'ong't'r'. =
When will BeppO, the maestro cage q
fresh singing bird?"
What! going to Florence for mu'ic?--
Why, Beppo brings forth bis fresh one to-
morrow"
Such we're the expressions Of the day.
and even the peerless beauty. the still
splendid beauty Of EsmeraIda. could not
lessen the excitement oOoOsioned by the