The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-06-17
BLIND LOVE-

d Rome and patronlsed by tho nobility
Was about to begin. The church had been
trnnstormed into a concert hall. Drapesias
Gifted silk covered tho walls The affairs had
been removed and under large canopy,
supported by columns Of antique wood,
tho platform was placed upon which 40
musicians, oil blind from birth, had Just
taken their places.
In the first row only two seats remained
unoocupied.
"The Princess Gozia is late, as usual, 7"
remarked one Of the pretty guests, look
ing toward the empty places.
A movement more pronounced was
made In the crowd at the door and several
ushers hurried there. An old lady came
busting In, bowling and smiling. She
was without doubt one of the great pa
irons Of the institution.
Behind her, leaning on the arm Of dis
tinguished looking man, walked the pref
TEST Of Parisisns. Her nationality was
evident, from the blond hair, prottily
curled, to the tips Of her small, highly
polished shoes.
my friend, tho Countess Germaine do
Prefaille," said the old lady, presenting
her to two or three authorities present.
There were q murmur Of voices and tho
sound of scraping chairs; then the voices
were lowered as the players began to tune
their Instruments. The concert was about
to begin.
II am 40 sorry to tell you," said Prince
Gozia, who had been talking to the leader
Of the orchestra, "Gaetano will not be able
to play his variations Of Rubinstein's ro-
nance. The young blind girl who plays
ii with him was taken sick this morning,
and no one else plays the violin we'll
enough to take her place"
"Oh, what shame! The concert will
DO spoiled. Gastano is on the programme,
and every one has come to hear him."
The Countess Germaine since her ar
rival had regarded pityingly tho strange
group before her--all these eyes without
sight
And as they played, absorbed by their
music, they moved their heads softly,
smilingly, and their cheeks Redeemed with
pleasure, while Gaetano, his large, blank
eyes txed before him, moved his bow
dreamily across his violin.
"They say that you must play" whis-
pered Prince Gozia, coming close to him
during an intermission.
"But 1t Is impossible. The variations
are difficult, and no one could play them
without much practice.
A movement was produced among the
girls at the response of the artist, and then
one of them stepped forward.
II will play with you, II you will let
me, she said, her voice trembling Slightly.
Gaetano Recognized her voice.
You, Anita2 Your But you have lost
your senses. We are before public audi.
ence"
but know can do it; I am sure of
myself" replied the girl with more firm
ness In her tone, but as be turned hii
sghtless eyes toward hor, as though con-
scious of his disdain, her cheeks flushed
hotly.
''All right, then; we'll begin" said he.
"There is no use drawing attention by de-
lay. am much afraid the whole thing
will be complete 1asco"
Anita seemed not to have heard. AT
the first chords from the piano which &C.
Companied them sho raised her Violin and
waited Whit Gaetano attacked the TO-
nance.
.
crossed the strings and there was sound
of wings and a murmur which passed
She was playing timidly, almost regret
fully, when Suddenly, raising her head,
inspired by an intense emotion, Anita,
transfgured, commenced the song.
1t was strange, trembling with truth
and pr 2sion. The notes came platntiyely in
long, slbrating ascerts. IT was as though
q sigh of sadness came from tie little nerv-
Gus ingeCs, wLilD the violin sang song
or love--of love unreauited, disdained,
with It's sntfeFings, its jealOusics, its hopes.
From the first Gaetano listened with
bowed head to this song OF revelation.
This mysterious loVe--wilat was 1t, and on |
whom had it fallenP Who was it she loved
80? Ho must know He raised his violin |
ready to speak in his turn when the sweet
notes should cease to thrill.
He commenced with an imperious |
rhythm. The phrases were hard, arrogant,
One felt the master who was determined !
to know, who intended penetrating the |
secret Of the heart which palpitated before
him.
But suddenly, as though overcome with |
SORROW he paused Wishing to tell Of tho |
sadness of his life, without light, without
In soft, minor tones he told Of
bis childhood SGD childhood where no
beard others talk Of the bright days, of the
beautiful flowers, Of the trees and green
fields, while he stretched his hands toward
things, trying to solve by touch
heir mystery.
Then one day his lifo had changed. Art
rad come to his aid, music transported
lin to higher regions, where all was
fright and clear, and he had given 1t q
,art Of his heart, but for the other another
god had been waiting, who had just shown
himself in his power, his strength, his un-
onquerableness.
He had never dared listen before, but
now he must know ALL Anita-is it true
this happiness--is it real? Then more
oltude, more sadness, and then-Anita,
Who Is 1t that you love-
The phrase ended in this supreme ques-
ion, and Gaetano paused, leaning toward
he young girl, breathless, waiting. There
vas moments silence, and then note,
ull Of hope, full Of joy, full of love, made
tself heard Anita had confessed all her
ecret.
The two now played together duet.
he world did not exist for them. The
asst, full of agony, was drowned in tho
lew sentiment which possessed them.
There was an instant's silence before the
pplause broke out, and with it came cries
"encore." They did not understand
hat such a scene could not be played