Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-06-11
Anna Carolla.

the other employees who passed n,Ksep'
ing the while sharp lookout for the
manager. One Of these chorus singers,
young aud beautiful Italian girl, stand
ing just within the extreme entrance,
! with her mantle wrapped close about her
throat, suddenly remarked:
We must do our best tonight, for
the Emperor is coming
'Ishe? How do you know? Who
told you, Anna Carolla -
One of the band answered Anus
Carolla, quietly, Carl Rosenteidt'
There he comes with his VIOLIN
With some others Of the opera band
there approached a tall, handsome young
Hungarian. who paused to answer the
girls eager inquiry, Had he said the
Emperor was soming?'
Yes; the imperial guards ihave jus'
passed by to take up their place at the
grand entrance. The house will be
crowded.
Then passing inside, he stopped tc
whisper 10 Anna Carolla, with smile
in his deep blue eyes:
Anna, lead the violins tonight,
Stengal is ILL.,
She put her hand in his, with the
sweet, perfect trust Of one who knows
she is loved.
4 am sorry for him;but for you, Carl
my heart must be glad
Here they come together" cried 8
grl outside. The manager and chlel
d'orchsstra. Awayv
The new leader Of the band hurried
away as the chorus troepsd in, and An
na Carolla followed them into theiI
dressing room, There she donned hel
stage dress, and slipped away to watch
the house filling, and above all, to hear
every note of the exquisite overture to
'Oberon.'
How fast every place Was filling from
door to gallery! The auditorium was
one blaze Of splendor, and as she gazed,
the poor friendless chorus singer, whose
dramatic talent and splendid voice ought
| ifshe had only the fortune to get the
| frat lift, to place her high on the lyric
stage, wondered sadly if such chance
would ever come to her, if not, CarPs
father would never consent to their mar
riage. And now the whole house rose
as the Emperor entered his box, splen-
didly dressed, glitteraE with jewels OF
rarcst value, which flashed a thousand
rays as he bowed right and left with his
usual courteous grace. Then the band
struckup the overture, and with the
last bar the curtain drew up.
Fitting here and there during the
performance, with eyes and ears for ev-
erything. the manager noticed the I'M
perlal visitor indicating to gentleman
beside him ssms one on the chorus. 1t
was Anna Csrolla, whose beauty bad
attracted his eye, whose rich voice bis
ears had caught above and through
all the others.
The first act went splendidly, and the
second act soon commenced; but fate
had decreed that it should never be play
ed out that night. Halfway through,ai
the manager, pleased and eomplaceni
was quietly standing back in one OF the
v,nps be suddenly felt his arm grasped'
and turned sharply to see Annie Car
olla's lovely face, so full Of determine
ton and character. at his side.
Hush she said, very low aud quiet
lly: make no exclamation, but go anc
see to it before 1t gains or Is discovered
The theatre is on fire somewhere bach
of the green room. Co.
But. child, if there is the least hint o.
alarm, look at that house. They vii
be crushed to death in their terror and
crowdirg to 90 OUT
Listen said the italian girl, in th'
same calm, selfcontained manner
Send tho call boy to tell the doorkeep
or to order each one as they pass ou
to depart quickly. will clear th'
house quietly
you do that'
Yes ;here is the boy;I will do N.
part
The manager blindly obeyed tn
strong will and steady purpose OF tn
master.lnind, as people in an emergen
cy generally do, whatever their rela tiv
positions IN the world.
Anna Carolla passed on to the stage
aud advancing at once to the footlights
stood for one moment, her tall, com
manding form and her beautiful hea
drawn erect. unfnchingly facing th
crowd, meeting full even the astonish
. ed gaze Of the Emperor himself, and tn
wondering look Of her lover IN the Oh
> chestra, below her.
Then she said, in voice net loue
hut clear as a bell, with cool. stead
authority IN every measured accent:
q lam here by the managers orders
. His imperial majesty has been robbie
u tonight Of rare diamond, and the thu
. is In the house. Every one,' and u
C speakers dark eyes swept the sudienc
from gallery 10 door, is at once to Will
y draw quietly and in order; any one a
. tempting to remain will be immediate
It " arrested. The band will also retll
g at once.'
n Even as she spoke her ear, painful
It listening tor the sound, could hear u
n warm breath OF flames from the bacI
q but unmoves she stepped back. swept
!. . deep obeisance TO the audience ~
ri ro- .rd tbs curtain fell.