The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-11-14

then / saw "La Filomela.' How shall
I describe my Impressions We all
know how difficult it usually is to recol-
lect the idea we formed of those with
whom we are now intimate when our
acquaintance with them was only begin
ming, and yet the memory of the picture
this girl made on my mind is clear
enough to me now. A crowded room,
fashionable audience, popular
tenor, a tremendous pianist-heat, light,
perfumes, fiowers-all that had made
up the scene faded as the folds of the
heavy curtain at the side of the plat
form were parted, and a slight, girlish
| figure appeared, dressed simply in
creamy satin and with a string of pearls
around her throat and bunch of Grim
son rosebuds for sole ornament She
walked gracefully and was entirely
possessed; when she stood before
the audience she raised her lovely gray
eyes and gravely, quietly scanned the
faces of her listeners, Her manner
struck me greatly; there was no trace
of excitement, scarcely sign of interest
in what she had to do, yet the look she
threw along the rows of seats made me
feel that it was matter of consequence
to her who filled them.
''She sang some music by young
amateur which had been written for
her, and the composer was her accom-
PIANIST. The words were sad ones. and
each verse ended with refrain of ''Ma
pace mai, mair' The idea was that
the singer could taste love again, fame,
ambition, but that remorse prevented
any hope of peace; and the carnestness
with which the signorina gave "But
peace, oh! nevermore, was almost
terrible. When the song ceased, the
audience remained perfectly still for
some seconds, and then whirlwind of
applause literally shook the room. No
encores were permitted, owing to the
length of the programme, so LA Flo
mela" was not seen again till her next
turn came in its course, and then she
sang an elaborate scene, which dis
played the excellence of her training
and the beauty Of her voice, but to me
it was meaningless. In the first piece
was the soul of the singer, in the second
only the power of the songstress. After
she left the room it became dark to me,
and promising to return in time to es-
cort my sister to her carriage, l went
out into the starlit streets, thankful to
be alone, for realized at once what
had befallen me. l, Paul Messent,
up heart and soul in profess
sion which devours the minds and bod
les of its votaries, had fallen blindly,
in love with this girl whom
| had seen once and heard twice, and
for me the world was changed.
Ipassed wakeful night, but by the
morning my resolution was taken and
my plans made. | would seek this
girl, and if possible win her. Why
should 1 not! I felt certain that no
fault of her own caused her isolation,
and for anything else l cared not at all.
A week after the concert my sister
gave musical party, and then had a
chance of speaking with La Signorina |
Martigny. She was sweet and gracious,
md one evenings companionship SEEM
I'd almost to make us friends. l went |
iang, and used every means in my pow
II to penetrate the veil of mystery with |
which she enveloped herself; in vain.
At the end of a month l found myself !
more fondly attached to and more hope
essly apart from her than | could have
believed possible. l had never passed |
Ter threshold, but haunted the street
n which she lived, just for the sake of
eeing her enter or descend from her
arriage, and gaining smile or look
# recognition.
| was becoming desperate, and medi-
ating an avowal of my passion to her,
When one afternoon my sister said:
"Paul, / have been to La Filomela's'
ouse."
'Indeedr' said L; have you made
ny startling discoveriesP"
mo-" was the answer, "but think
iiulia was vexed with me-"
"Why did you gopn asked l.
81 had note from her this morning,
skiing if she might postpone to-mor-
owls lesson till Thursday" was the
eply, "but that cannot be, as we 90 to
'ersailles on that day. you recollect.
forgot to write to her before going
ut, and as l was passing the door this
fternoon l sought admittance, really
Iithout giving the matter the second
bought"
"WellP" 1 inquired, as my sister
aused.
81 he door was opened by very old
ervant, who looked at me with sur
rise, but ushered me into the prettiest
tile sitting room l have seen for
,ng time There is no lack of comfort
/ her surroundings. 1 had time to
office that there was a large armchair
ear the fire, with plenty of cushions
/ it, and beside it a small table, with a
pectacle case and an embroidered
elvet cap on it, before Giulia came in.
Ter manner was stiff, but she thanked
lie for the trouble / was taking to ar
ange the change of day, for which she
Her father lives with her,
feel sure, and he is old and infirm.'
"You ought to be detective, Laura"
aid |, with such powers of observation
nd deduction"
That evening as was making my ac-
patrol in front of Giulia's
ouse, l noticed a man, tall and dark,
18th pointed beard, who also walked
p and down before the same residence.
Ie looked continually at the first floor !
'indows of No. II, where were LA
IL Il ~ .