The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-04-29
Srlerf Story.
WHAT A FIRE DID.

A group Of girls stond at the stage
door OF the grand opera house in Viel.-
ma, talking or exchanging words with
the other employees who passed in, keeT
ing the while sharp look out for the
manager. One Of these chorus singers.
beautiful Italian girl, s.auding just
within the extrem, entrance, with her
mantle wrapped close about her throat,
suddenly remarked:
1--WE must 90 our best tc- hight, for the
Emperor is coming
rs he? How dn you know? Who
told you, Anna Carolla?"
Zone of the band" answered Anna
Carolla quietly. carl Rnsenfeldt. There
he comes with his violin"
With some others of the opera band
there approached q tall, handsome young
Hungarian, who paused to answer the
girls eager inquiry: Had he 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 be
crowded"
Then passing inside he stopped to
whisper 10 Anna Carolla, with smile in
his deep blue eyes:
"Anna, I lead the violin tonight.
Stendgal is ILL.,"
She put her hand in his with the sweet,
perfect trust of one who knows she is
lovei.
II am sorry for him; but for you, Carl,
my heart must be glad"
"Here they come to get her J" cried a
girl outside. "The manager and chief
|d'orchestrs. Awsy!
The new leader Of the band hurried
away as the chorus trooped in,and Anna
Carolla folio we'd them into their dressing
room. There she soon donned her stage
dress and slipped away to watch the
house filing. and above all, to hear every
note of the exquisite overture to "t3ibe-
ron." How fast every place was filled
from floor to gallery! The auditorium
was one blaze OF splendor, and as she
gazed the poor friendless chorus singer,
whose dramatic talents and splendid
voice ought, if she had had only the for
tune to get the first lift, to place her high
on the lyric stage, wondered sadly il
such change would ever come TO her il
not, Carls father would never consent to
their marriage. And now the whole
house rose as the Emperor entered his
box, splendidly dressed, glit,er;ng with
wells of rarest value, which flashed 6
thousand rays as he bowed right ani
left with his usual courteous grace.
Then the band struck up the overture
and with the last bar the curtain drew
lup.
! Flittirg here and there during the per
formance, with eyes and ears tor every
thing. the manager noticed the Imperia
visitor indicating to gentleman besid
him some one in the chorus. 1t wa
Anna Carolla, whose beauty had attract
ed his eye, whose rich voice bis ear hat
caught above and through all others
The first act went splendidly, and tn
second act soon commenced; but fat
had decreed that it should never be play
ed out that night. Half way through, a
the manager, pleased and complacen,
was quietly standing back in one of tn
wings he suddenly felt his arm graspe
, and turned sharply to see Anna Carolla'
loving face, so full of determination an
char ;ter, at his side.
"Hush," she said very low and quietly
"make no exclamation, but GO and see
before it gains or is discovered. Th
theater Is on Gre somewhere back Of th
green room. The company can ieav
the stage door. Co."
! "But, child, il there is the least hint {