The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1879-04-12
OUR STORY TELLER.


A group of girls stood at the stage
door of the Grand Opera-house in
Vienna, talking or exchanging words
with the other employees who passed
in, keeping the while a sharp lookout
for the manager. One of these chorus
singers, young and beautiful Italian
girl, standing just within the extreme
entrance, with her mantle wrapped close
about her throat, suddenly remarked
eve must do our best tonight. for
the Emperor is coming"
els hef How do you know Who
told you. Anna CarollaP'
Zone of the band" answered Anna
Carolla, quietly, "Carl Rosenfeldt.
There he comes with his violin"
With some others of the opera band
there approached tall, handsome young
Hungarian, who paused to answer the
girls eager inquiry: Had he said the
Emperor was comingf"
eyes; the imperial guards have Just
passed by to take up their place at the
grand entrance. The house will be
crowded"
Then passing inside, he stopped to
whisper to Anna Carolla, with a smile
IN MS ueep blue eyes.
"Anna, | lead the violins tonight
6tendgal is ill.,
She put her hand in his, with the
sweet, perfect trust of one who knows
she is loved.
Il am sorry for him; but for you,
Carl, my heart must be glad"
" Here they come togetherp' cried
girl outside. "The manager and chef
Horchestra. Awayp'
The new leader of the band hurried
away as the chorus trooped in, and Anna
Carolla followed them into their dress
ing room. There she soon donned her
stage dress, and slipped away to watch
the house filling, and above all, to hear
every note Of the exquisite overture to
eOberon."
How fast every place was filling from
floor 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, if she had only the fortune to get
the first lift, to place her high on the
lyric stage, wondered sadly if such
chance would ever come to her; if not,
Carl's father would never consent to
their marriage. And now the whole
house rose as the Emperor entered his
box, splendidly dressed, glittering with
jewels of rarest value, which flashed a
thousand rays as he bowed right and
left with his usual courteous grace
Then the band struck up the overture,
and with the last bar the curtain
drew up.
Fitting here and there during the
performance, with eyes and ears for
everything, the manager noticed the
imperial visitor indicating to a gentle
man beside him some one in the chorus.
IL was Anna Carolla whose beauty had
attracted his eye, whose rich voice his
ear 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
played out that night. Half way
through, as the manager, pleased and
oomplacent, was quietly standing back
in one OF the wings, he suddenly felt his
arm grasped, and turned sharply to see
Anna Carolla's lovely face, so full of
discrimination and character. at his side,
Hush" she said, very low and
quietly, "make no exclamation, but 20
and see to ii before it gains or is discov-
cred. The theater is on FIRE somewhere
back OF the green room. The company
San leave by the stage door. Co."
But, child, if there is the least hint
Of alarm, look at that house. They vii!
be crushed to death in their terror and
crowding TO go out !"
Listen" said the Italian girl in
the ssrne calm, self-contained manner.
"6end the call boy to tell the door
keeper to order each one as they pass
out to depart quickly. ] will clear the
house quietly"
You do that ~