Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-03-16
CHAPTER Nv.

Philip Vane had returned from q
drive to Pozzuoi, Baia and other cele.
brated localities and sat smoking in the
office of Hotel Geneve, Naples, when
one of his acquaintance from New
York observed:
"There is treat in store for US this
evening, Vane.''
How so?''
ga distinguished prima donna, of our
own nationality, sings at the Teatro di
San Carlo"
Who is she?''
Her stage name is Florentina Bru-
noni. You have heard of her?''
Many times, but never happened to
see her. In what does she appear?'
Lucia.''
cit is one of my favorite operas, and
shall surely be there
"The rush for tickets is simply aston
ishing, and fearing you would not re-
turn from your trip in time to procure
one, l took the liberty of securing seat
for you in an excellent quarter of the
house."
Ell thank you most heartily, rest as
sured," as he received the bit of paste
board from his friend
He was at the Teatro in good season,
where he found a vast throng congre-
gated. Taking his seat, he waited
somewhat impatiently for the perform
ance to begin. At length the curtain
rose, and the ca,atatrice presented her.
self before the audience, being greeted
with prolonged and rapturous applause.
1t seemed as if every one in the house
applauded--except Philip. He could
not do it, his astonishment was so over
towering; for, in the singer, he instant
ly recognized Florence Alling.
During more than six years he had
searched for her, persistantly, but in
vain. Now, Fate seemed to have effect
ed what human endeavor had failed to
accomplish. She was greatly changed.
in every way, from the Sc little girl' of
five years ago-had developed into
rarely beautiful woman; not sufficiently
changed, however, that, as before said,
he did not at once identify her.
Casting her eyes over the audience,
they fell upon him, and every vestige of
color receded from her face. Recover
ing herself, she inclined her head-to-
ward him, he knew it was-and retired
from the stage, followed by an applause
like that which greeted her appearance.
When she again appeared and sung.
her pure, sweet flexible voice thrilled
all her hearers. Each time her part
terminated she was loudly e,acored; and
each time she responded to the recall
the old "San Carlo rang with such
hurrahs as it had seldom known in its
previous history.
At the conclusion of the entertain
ment Philip drew letter from his pock-
ct and penciled on blank leaf:
"May see you alone few minutes?
"P. ""
Passing it to an usher, he asked him
to give it to Mile. Brunoni. Presently
the usher returned and handed him
slip of paper on which was written:
CT am stopping at the Hotel Geneve.
Shall be pleased to see you tomorrow morn
ing, at ten. FLORENCE.
Stopping at the same hotel with him
self, yet he must wait nearly twelve
hours before speaking with her! it re-
quired greater patience on his part to
submit to the 'sverdict'' than he was
wont to exercise; but he succeeded in
doing it, though no sleep visited his eye
lids that night.
Punctually at the appointed hour he |
tapped on her door and was admitted |
with cordial welcome.
"I am more rejoiced than 1 can ex-
press to congratulate yea on your sue