The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-02-07
Fitting here and there during the per.


beauty had attracted his eye, whose rich
voice his ear had caught above and through
all the others.
The first act went spleudidly, and the
second act soon commenced but fate ha I
decreed that it should never be played out that
night. Half way through, as the manager.
pleased and complacent, was quietly stand.
ing back in one of the wings, he suddenly
felt his arm grasped, and turned sharply to
see Anna Carolla's lovely face, 50 full of de.
termination and character, at his side.
Hush, she said very low and quietly,
make no exclamations, but go and see 10 it
before it gains or is discovered. The thea
tire is on fire somewhere back of the green
room. The company can leave by the stage
door. Co.
But, child, if there is the least hirt of
alarm, look ct that house. They will I've
crushed to death in their terror and crowd
ing to get out
Listen said the Italian, in the same
calm, self.contaned manner. Send the call
boy to the door-keeper to order each one as
they pass out to depart quickly. will clear
the house quietly
You do thatp
Yes; here is the boy send him
and clear out the company will do nv
part
The manager blindly obeyed the strong
will and steady purpose of the master. mind;
as people in an emergency generally do,
whatever their relative positions in the
world.
Anna Carolla passed on to the stage and
advancing at once to the foot-lights, stood
for one moment, her tall, commanding form
and beautiful head drawn erect, unflinching-
ly facing that crowd, meeting full even the
astonished gaze of the Emperor himself, and
the wondering look of her lover in the Or
chestra below her.
Then she said in voice net loud, but
clear as bell, with cool, steady authority
in every measured accent
Il am here by the managers order His
Imperial Majesty has been robbed Tonight of
a rare diamond, and the thief is in the house.
Every one,' and the speakers dark eyes
swept the audience from the gallery to pit,
is at once to withdraw quietly, and in order
anyone attempting to remain will be immed.
lately arrested. The band will also retire
at once Even as she spoke, her ear, pain
fully strung for the sound, could hear the
warm hum of flames from the back; but un-
moved she stepped back, swept deep obeis.
ance to the audience and Emperor, and the
curtain fell.
The Emperor instantly left his box ,whis-
pering to the gentleman to whom he had
before pointed out Anna Carolla: There
is something behind all this. am not rob.
bed. Send Col. Bergman round to sum-
mon the manager to our carr iage door,
Meanwhile, the vast crowd filtered rapid
ly, in quiet order and in safety out, only
learning at the door, as they were hurried
away, the awful death, by fire or crushing,
from which the brave and quick -witted girl
saved them. The last few to leave the audi
torium smelt the fire and heard the cracking
of flames, and hurried wildly, spreading the
alarm. But the terrible cry of fire came too
late to do mischief, and once outside, the
police and soldiery under the cool directions
of the Emperor himself, kept order And
though the flames mounted at first, Annals
timely discovery, and the energetic measures
taken forced the fire under. Ia less than an
hour and half it was completely drenched
out, and the mutilated Opera House left in
charge of the police.
Then, and not till then, did the Emperor
dismount from the horse he had used and
return to his carriage As he did so, he
paused suddenly.
Bergman, see There goes that Italian
girl herself, leaning on the arm of the young
fellow who led the band so splendidly to-
night Go see who and what they are.' Col.
Bergman departed to obey the order, and
the Emperor drove off. -
The next day the whole story was in the
Government organ, with an intimation, in
spired, of course, from that quarter, that his
Imperial Majesty had graciously caused in.
quiries to be made about the young chorus
singer.
A few days later, old Herr Rosenieldt re.
ceived an official intimation that his gifted
son Carl, and his fancee, Anna Carolla,
were both under Imperial protection, and
their marriage was desired to take place as
Immediately as possible, the Emperor DOVER
ing the bride. The manager also received
a similar intimation through Col. Bergman
that his late chorus singer was to be brought
forward and advertised for the reopen
ing of the opera as Madame Carolla Rosen-
feldt.
Once more the elite of gay Vienna crowd
ed the opera house to witness the debut of
theenew singers as Agatha, ,in'Der Frieschutz.'
The moment she came on she was received
with furore which might we'll make Carl
Rosenfeldt proud ofhis beautiful young wife,
and if for royalty was her grateful glance
and sweeping salute, for him was the smile
in the soft dark eyes that met his for one
second.
When the curtain fell, the pew star
was called for and showered with boqusts
from many distinguished hand /; but from
the Imperial box was flung one in which
nestled costly bracelet, in the centre of
which blazed diamond of rare value aud
beauty.
That fire has beer our fortune, Carl his
young wife said, smiling as they drove
home.
Nay, Anna, your own courage and quick.
ness answered Carl Rosenfeldt. That was
a diamond rarer than the Imperial gift.
And he was right,
The internal revenue collections in SaI
Francisco district during 1878 amounted tC
$l,S72,6ll00
Senator Burns de gives more entertain
IL -