The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-08-02

gallery pillar, like one staggered by a
hard blow and breathless. He closed his
eyes and shut out the bright building, the
sea OF heads, and the graceful figure in
shining satin, holding her song in both
hands before her and swaying slightly, as
singers do, to bring out the fuller notes.
Or like nymph, with bright and flowing
hair" she sang Her throat was beautiful
and well-set-one could see the song throb-
bling in 1t as in a birds; jewel quivered at
its spring. in light that seemed alive; she
brought out the golden gurgling triplets Of
the fairy dance, without any facial distor-
ton her Slightly flushed, implanted and I'M
powdered face. wore the rapt, happy ex-
preston OF conscious artistic power; it was
as full of music as her voice; her eyes.
when raised from the sheet of music, had a
level gaze that saw-not tho sea of faces
In brilliant light, but the nymph with bright
flowing hair. the fairy the dance. the en-
chantment, the Embodied things music
summons up.
when the song ended and the spell broke.
there was roar Of applause; the artist.
| evidently favorite with her audience and
In sympathy with them. smiled gravely,
bowed, retired a little way, and advanced
at the deepening applause to bow once
more, and again retire. handed back by the
accompanist, a tall and handsome, though
bald-headed. man; until having reached the
back. amid the rising surge of thunder
Gus recall. she spoke to the pianist who led
her to the front, where she stood quiet and
self contained but evidently pleased. while
the loud excited plaudits gradually rolled
back into stiffness like a fallen wave
The man in the Inverness was perhaps
alone in giving no applause to the song ev-
cry note Of which his still, never waverlng
attitude and fixed gaze seemed to have alb
sorbed. When the song was done, he raised
binocular to his eyes, and looked through
1t SO fixedly, that he, with the glasses and
the upscturesque hat and cloak. seemed like
the carven image Of man. silent. notion
less. through all the tumult of the noisy
crowd. Then the singer. without notes this
time, and lightly holding one end Of her
long fan in each hand. looked over the mass
Of uplifted faces. with new EXPRESSION
it was as If she loved each face she looked
on. Amt she dear?" murmured a young
woman in front of the stranger, to her
sweetheart. who promptly whispered back,
mere Olly Ole uedT lOT llle.
The singers lips parted and softly sang
in pure round notes, neutral, till tho name
brought subtle caressing tone, and rising
to passion in the last line.
whats this dull town to me?
Robin Adair!
What vast I wished to see,
What wished to hear?
where's all the joy and mrth.
Made this town a heaven on earth?
oh! they are all fled with thee.
Robin Adair"'
The first notes fell on the stranger like
a strong sea wave. striking the glasses
from his eyes, and making them hang at
his side; while hot tears scalded his eyes
and fell unregarded by himself. unnoticed
by those around him. No doubt he had
heard Robin Adair before; who has not?
Perhaps he thought of some special occa-
sion on which he had heard it and loved it.
Is there a tender song, or with pathos
more artless. than this old, ever new ia
vorite, and as natural and unprecedented
as the redbreast's own? But not every
singer can bring out the tenderness and
heart break as did this lady.
what made the ball so fine?
Robin Adair.
What made the assembly shine?
Robin Adair."
was sung with gentle wistfulness, "as
when a soul laments. that hath been blest
with sweetness in the past
What, when the play was DER,
What made my heart so sore?
oh. it was parting with
Robin Adair.'
The simple heart-break rose to a passion
ate climax: people shed tears unawares and
the sweehearts in front Of the man in the