The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-01-23
ANNA CARoLLA.

A group of girls stood at the stsge
door OF the Grand Opera House, in VI
emma, exchanging words with the 9TH
or employees who passed in, keeping the
while sharp lookout for the manager.
One of these chorus-singers, u young
and beautiful Italian girl, standing just
within tho extreme entrance, with her
mantle wrapped close about her throat,
suddenly remarked:
we must sing our best tonight, for
tie Emperor - coming
SIS he? how do you know? who told
you, Anna Carolla ?
zone OF the band, answered Anna
Carolla, quietly. Carl RosenfeIdt. There
he comes with his violin
With some others of the opera band
there approached q tall, handsome young
Hungarian, who paused 10 ans DER the
girls eager inquiry. Had no said the
Emperor was coming!
yes; the Imperial Guards have just
passed by to take up their place at the
grand entrance. The house will b
crowded.
Then passing inside, he stopped 70
whisper 10 Anna Carolls, With . smile
in bis deep blue eyes. 'Anna, l lead the
violins to. night-Stendgal 10 ill.,
She put her hand in his, with the
sweet, perfect trust of one who knows
she is loved.
Il am sorry for h,m but for you,
Carl, my hesrt must b glad
'Hcre they come together {! cried .
girl ontside. The manager and chef d
orchessre. Away
The new leader Of the band hurried
away rs the chorus trooped in, and An
ma Car0lla followed them into their
dressing-roO Then she donned her
stage dress, and slipped away to watch
the house filing, and, above all, to hear
every note az the exquisite overture to
"OberOn.''
How fast was every place filling from
6oor to gallery! The auditorium was
one blaze Of splendor and - she gazsd,
the poor, frisndless chorus-singer-
whose dramatic talent and splendid
voice ought il she bad only the fortune
to get tho first lift, to place her high 10
the lyric stage-wondered sadly if such
chance would ever como to her if not,
Carts father would never consent to
their marriage. And now the whole
house rose a. tho Emperor entered his
boz, splendidly dressed, glittering with
jewels OF rarest value, which flashed .
thousand rays as he bowed right and
left with his usual courteous grace.
Then the band struck up tho overture,
.cA nth Sha lat ha, Sho ou.ta;o d,o-
up.
Fitting here and there during the
performance, with eyes and ears for ev-
erything, tho manager noticed the lmpe-
rial visitor indicating to . gentleman
beside him some one in the chorus. 1t
was Anna Carolla, whose beauty had
attracted bis 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 never should be
played out that night. Half way
through, as the manager, pleased and
complacent, ives quietly standing back in
one of the wings, no suddenly felt his
arm grasped, and turned sharply to see
Anna Carolla's lovely face, so full of de-
termination and character, at bis side.
Hush, she said, very low and quiet
ly, make no exclamation, but 60 and
see to it before it gains or is discovered.
The theatre is on fire somewhere back
of the green room. Tho company can
leave by the stage door. Co.
But, child, if thcrc is tho least hint
Of ALARM, look at that house. They
will bs crushed to death in their terror
and crowding to get out
Listen said the Italian in tho same
calm, self contained manner. Send the
call boy to tell the doorkesper to ordor
each one - they pass out to depart
quickly. ! will clear the house quiet.
~
You do that
Yes; here is the boy send him, and
clear ont tho company; will do my
part
Tho manager blindly obeyed the
strong will and steady purpose Of the
mastermind ; - people in emergency do
whatever their relative positions 10 the
world.
Anna Carolla passed on to the stage;
and advancing At once to the footlights,
stood for one moment, her tall, COM
handing form and beautiful head
drawn erect unAinchingly facing that
crowd, meeting full even the astonish.
ed gaze of tho Emperor himself, and
tho wondering look of her lover in tho
orchestra below her.
Then she said, in . voice not loud,
but clear a. q bell, with cold, steady
in every measured accent:
Il am here BY the manages's orders.
His Imperial Majesty has been robbed
tonight of q rare diamond, and the
thief is in the house. Every one,' and
the speakers dark eyes swept the audi. |
encs from gallery TO pit, is At oncs to
withdraw quietly, and in order; anyone
to remain will be immedi- |,
ately arrested. The band will also re- |
tire 1t once Even - she spoke, her
car, painfully strung for the sound,
could hear the warm hum Of flames
from the back but unmoved she STEP
ped back swept q deep obeisance 10
The audience and Emperor, and the cur
lain fell.
The Emperor instantly left hrs boz,
to the gentleman to whom
before he had pointed out Anna CarolIa:
There is something behind oil this. l
I'm not robbed. Send Colonel Berg