The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-04-03
OUR STORY TELLER.
ANNA CAROLLA.

A group of girls stood at the stage
door Of tho Grand Opsra-house in
Vienna, talking or exchanging words
with the other employees who passed
in, keeping the while sharp lookout
for the manager. Oae of these chorus
singers, a 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"
+" Is hef bow do you know? Who
told you, Anna CarollaY'
"One of the band" answered Anna
Carolla, quietly, "Carl Rosen.eldt.
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. "Hsd he said the
Emperor was comingP'
Eyes; the imperia! guards have Just
passed by to tase up their place at the
grand entrance. The house will be
crowded"
Then passing inside, he stopped to
whisper TO Anna Carolla, with smile
10 his deep blue eyes:
"Anna, lead the violins tonight.
Stepdgsl is i'll"
She ut her hand in his, with the
sweet, perfect trust of one who knows
she is loved. a.- @
81 am sorry for him; but for you,
Carl. my heart must beglad."
Here they come togetberp cried q
girl outside. 1.-THE manager and chef
d'orchestra. Awayp
The new leader of the band hurried
nway as the chorus trooped in, and Anna
Csrolia 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 te
"Oberon."
How fast every place was filling from
floor to gallery The auditorium was
one blaze of Eplendor, and as she gazed,
the poor, iriendless chorus singer, whose
dramatic talent and splendid voice
ought, il 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,
Cars 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 q
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.
II 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 IL should never be
played out that night. Half way
through, as the Manager. pleased and
conplacent, was quietly standing back
in one OF the wings, he suddenly felt his
arm grasped, and turned sharply TO see
Anna Oaroild's lovely face, SO full OF
determination and character, at his side.
"Husb," she said, very low and
quietly, make no exclamation, but &c
and see to it before 1t gains or is discov.
cred. The tbeater is on FIRE somewhere
back OF the green room. The csmpany
can leave by the stage door. Co."
But, child, II there is the least hint
of alarm, look at that house They viii
be crushed to death in their terror and
crowding to 60 out"
"ListeD," said the italian girl II
the same calm, self-cortained manner
"Eend the call boy to tell the door
keeper to order each one as they pas
gu, to depart quickly. Twill clear th'
use quietly"
you do thatT'
"Yes; here is the boy; ! will do m,
part" l--
The manager blindly obeyed tn,
strong will and steadv purpose of tn,
master mind; as people in emergency
generally do, whatever their relativ,
positions in the world 'f -HI
Anna Carolla passed on to the stage
and advancing at once TO the footlights
stood for one moment, her tali com
manding form and her beautiful hea,
drawn erect, u finchipgly facing tn
crowd, meeting full even the astonishe'
gaze OF the Emperor himself, end tn
wondering look Of her lover in the OF
chestra, below her.