The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-10-24
LA FILOyELA.
A Story of Paris.


had so completely exhausted my energies, that
in January, two years ago, / was obliged to
seek rest and change. Having great faith in
variety Of work as a tonic and restorative, /
determined 10 spend some months in Paris,
where might ii so minded, follow up a spec-
atty in which ] was greatly interested, and yet
live comfortably in holiday fashion with my
eldest sister, widow, residing IN that cheerful
capital for the education of her two daughters.
For fortnight after nay arrival led lazy
life and fell into a routine which made me the
attendant of my sister and nieces, who ap-
peared 20 consider Uncle Paul a decidedly
useful appendage May aud Lucy were charm
ing girls, aged respectively is and Il. aud my
sister had cause for the triumph she felt in the
sucress Of her mode Of bringing them mp, for
they were thoroughly wel-iniormed aud ac-
complished and vet seemed 10 be without any
consciousness that their intelligence and &C
quirements were above the average.
or course. heard great deal of their in
stuctors. They laughed at their German mas
ter in an amahle way; initiated the fiery
Italian, whose patriotism was the motif for most
eloquent discourses; and pitied the Partisan,
who could not persuade herself their accent was
sufficiently pure. Their love and admiration
were reserved for their singing mistress for
whom they had nothing but praise SO unquali-
fed that ] saw the girls were victims 10 one of
those passions evoked in school-days. which,
types Of the love Of later life.
They called this lady (whose name was N.iulia
Martigny) La Filomela,' and told me that If
could but hear her sing ] should never again
mention such second-rate voices as those of the
prime donBe Of London. Paris aud Vienna,
whose organs / had hitherto been accustomed
20 consider entirely satisfactory.
Ny sister was very fond OF Signorina Gulia,
but told me she would like 10 know something
Of her history before permitting the intimacy
for which the girls were eager
Does the lady encourage them?' asked i.
by no means" WAS the answer; "she dis
courages the slightest attempt 10 establish more
friendly relations; and all know Of her is that
she was trained for public singer, and has for
some reason entirely relinquIshed the career,
and will only teach or perform at private con-
ceris. and even then she is capriciOus in her
choice Of houses to which she will &C."
- In what way2" inquired.
She has never sung for any Of the Ameri-
cans here. but for French English. or foreigners
OF any other nationality she viii always appear:
aud her voice and style are really quite out of
the common. She would have succeeded well
in public, feel certain"
StraDge!" / said. What belongings has
shey"
That ] really do not know" replied my
sister " ] have heard her mention her father.
but / do not feel sure that he lives with her.
She never goes anywhere before nine in the
evening or stays after ii. She has a little
brongham, and al night young maid-seryant
Is always iB il. She seems 70 have no acquaint-
sBoes. and not 10 wish for any. ] confess the
slight mystery piques me a little. as we usually
learn the histories Of the girls teachers so
quickly"
she is probably very poor" suggested !,
and does not wish 10 display her want of
means 10 all beholders'
i think not" was the reply. At should
Judge her 10 be comfortably crcumstaneed so
Ear as money goes"
The conversation ended. and as I had not
seen the lady. the matter faded from my mind.
One day / came back from q visit TO a con frere
earlier than ! expected, as be was summoned
away, and on opening the door OF my sisters
fat" ] heard some one singing, with voice
50 pure, SO meiodlOns. so round and full, that
stood transfzed- The opening words of Bra
gas seTenats, " gHdfi ma TisUegiidHS." filed the
Eestibule with wistful. longing tones, and a
soft accompaniment on piano and violin har-
mOnized 10 perfection. Ii was only for a few
bars. however, for Lucy's little voice took
mp the strain, and the spell WAS broken. /
went 70 the morning-TOom in search Of my sis
Ter, and asked il il we're " Ia Fi0mela had
heard; needless question. for ! knew it could
be no one else. and was filed with desire 10
heir her notes again. laura told me that most
likely she would not sing any more, as she very
seldom did 50, and that her method Of teaching
was one Of her peculiariiies. being conducted
90 much more by pTccept than example, aud
yet entirely successful.
Bot" she added. 4" have taken tickets for
q concert IN aid Of some charity, which Is 20 be
held at the house OF Duchesse de LAgan next
week. and as La FIlOmela Is to sing two
songs you had better 20 with US and hear her"
Willingly" j replied. liz would greatly
please me 70 see the possess0r Of such voice /"
Ny nieces we're delighted that had heard
their nightingale, and told me she had seated
herself al the instrument 70 show IL was posi-
bic 80 play the song and sing il too aud had
LEI Mary take the violin accompaniment
The night Of the concert arrived, and then
Jaw la Filomeia." How shall describe my
impFessiousg We al know how difiic1It il
usually is 20 reenlleet the idea we formed OF
those with whom we are nO8 intimate when
cur acquaintance with them was only begin
ming aud yet the memory Of the picture this
Rrl made Oh my mind Is clear enough 10 the
Row. A crowded room. fashionable audience,
o popular tenor, tremendous piauist-heat
light perfumes, fOWers-all that had made up
the scene faded, ar the folds Of the heavy cur
tam Al the side Of The platform were parted,
and a slight. Rirlish figure appeared, dressed
simply ih creamy satin, aud with a string Of
pearls round her throat and bunch Of crimson
TOsebuds Tor sole ornament. She walked grace
faily. and was entirely self possessed. When
che stood ief0re the audience she raised her
lovely gray eyes and grayely, quietly scanned
the faces Of The listeners. Her manner struck
me greatly. There was no trace Of excitement,
scarcely sign Of interest IN what she had 10
90; yet the look she threw along the rows Of
seats made one feel that it was a matter Of con-
sequence 70 her vino filed them.
Size sang some music by a young amateur
which had been written for her, aud the com
poser was her acc8mpanist. The words were
aad ones, and each verse ended with refrain Of
Aa pace mai. mai" The idea was that the
singer could taste love again, fame, ambition
bat that renorse prevented any hope Of peace
And tie eaFBestness with which the SignOrina
gave But peace Oh! neveTmOre." was almost
terrible. When the song ceased the aud ienee
remained perfectly still for some seconds and
then WhIfl u applause literally shook the
T00m. No encOTes were permitted. owing q
the length Of the program, 80 " La Fil0mela D
wa not seen again TIL Der next turn came IL
its course, and then she sang an elaborate
soena, which displayed the excellence Of hei
Training and the beauty Of her voice but Il
me II was meaningless. Ia the FIRST piece wal
tbe soul Of the singer, ia the second only III,
power Of the s0ngstress. After che left Ia,
room u became dark 70 me, aud. promising q
return IN time % escort my sister 10 her car
rage. went cut into the starlit streets thank
fnl 20 be- alone. for ! realized at once what har
befslleH me. ], Paul Messant wrapped al
heart and soul in profession which devour
the minds and bodies Of It's VOtaries had fallei
biindly, desperately ia love with this cir
whom had seen once and heard twice, aud 10
me the world was changed.
passed wakeful night, bat b. tie m0rnipl
my resolution was taken aud my plans made