The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1879-08-30
OUR STORY TELLER.
BEETHOvEN'S LOST LOVE.
A Tale of the Moonlight sonata.


few miles from Naples, in beauti-
full, secluded valley, stands the summer
palace of the Count Paulo Guicciardi.
Evidently there has been spared neither
pains nor money to make it luxuriant
and unrivaled resort for the wealthy
and ancient family who possess it.
Tonight the spacious and elegant
salons are brilliantly lighted. The forms
of many people promenading up and
down can be vaguely distinguished
through the half-opened windows; and
the mingled hum of conversation floats
out on the balmy, midsummer air and
dies languidly away in the distance.
1t is the graru solree given by the
count in honor of the distinguished
Beethoven, who has been welcome
and honored guest during the past few
weeks. Yet tomorrow he leaves for the
more uncongenial cline of his own ma
tive Germany, at the earnest solicitation
of his noble host The reason is quite
apparent; mutual and passionate love
has sprung up between the lovely
Countess Julia and himself-almost at
first sight.
Consequently he must be banished, as
the difference in their rank and fortune
renders marriage out of the question.
As a still more effective step, she is
betrothed to the Due de Montpensier,
the French ambassador. And it is he
with whom she so listlessly promenades
tonight
Beethoven is the reluctant centre of
an admiring audience and he seems like
a half-tamed lion at bay, growing now
and then disdainful reply, and tossing
his royal head in defiance. His eye
roves over the multitude as if in search
of something lost. Suddenly he strides
forward and in another moment confronts
the duke and his affianced.
Counties" he says, in low, distinct
tone, "you promised me the pleasure of
boat-ride before l left Italy. The
evening is inviting, the gondola is ready
let us 60"
She bushes deeply and stammers
few apologize words in the ear of her
escort, who hesitatingly relinquishes her
to Beethoven, sullenly following them
with his eyes as they glide out of the
room into the open air-into the loveliest
of scenes--perfumed by the rarest of
flowers.
The night is perfect. Overhead the
moon, attired in her full regal splendor,
sails majestically in the liquid azure
On either side the silver-crested noun
tains rise mysteriously, and rear their
shaggy, uncouth heads to receive the
tender caresses of their radiant queen.
The twinkle of the stars, the ripple of
the lake, and the signing of the breeze,
are in complete harmony. Earth, ocean,
tal
of the spheres is no longera mere express
sion, but a mighty symphony, lulling
the restless erd-geist into peaceful,
dreamless repose.
Beethoven leads his beloved slowly
along narrow, hidden path, over which
the trees form nearly perfect arch
Both maintain a sombre silence until a
little grotto is reached, situated directly
on the borders of beautiful lake. He
places her on the low stone bench and
throws himself down at her feet.
Fastening her large, dreamy eyes full
upon his upturned face, she murmurs:
All, Luigi"-thus the liquid musical
Italian softens the harsh cultural Lud-
ig-"why do you make our parting so
cruelty hard to bear? Why must you
mlngle the sweet with the bitter? Why
cause us to endure the pangs of purgatory
with paradise still in our viewT'
The hitherto unmoved and expression
less face of her companion suddenly be-
comes vivid and intense with suppressed
passion.
Why" he exclaims fiercely, "why
do you ask me who? Must we drain
this proffered cup of bitterness to the
very dregs? Why not hurl it back into
the faces of those who offer it? What
care we for the world and its glided
glamor of hollowness and hypocrisy w
Then in a softer and more subdued tone !:
Julia, / have provided means for our
escape-let us fly. In few hours we
can be safely concealed in yonder noun
tains, where even the all-powerful arm
of your father cannot reach US. After
the first hot scent of pursuit has grown
cold we can sail for America, and pass
the remainder of our lives devoted to
love and music"
His flushed and eager face, quivering
with passionate expectancy, is turned to
her, and his great, lustrous eyes fash
their lurid fire into hers; magnetizing
her being with a mysterious yet over
whelming force. For one brief moment
she allows herself to be drawn into the
wild enthusiasm of her lover, but quickly
RECEIVERS herself and mournfully replies
All, my poor Luigi, it cannot, cannot
be. am betrothed to the duke, not for
the sole purpose of preventing my union
with you, as you suppose, but that nv
father may redeem the fortunate and
estates may even honor-of his family
The instant my marriage takes place
the duke stands pledged for large sum
to my father. So you see that my hand
is already sold to the highest bidder, and
however, has long been yours and shall
ever be until death reunites for eternity.
Until then farewell, my Beethoven.
Return to your native land which is
already clamorous for your presence
Let the world resound with your fame
while / sink into namelcss oblivion as
the wife Of . petty French nobleman.