Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-05-13

there IS not one among all these young
girls who will consent to try it. !" n
Gaetano smiled with an air of in
credulity.
AS you please" said he, indif-
ferently. "Only be assured that if any
one does consent, it will turn out to her
own confusion.
A movement was produced among the
girls at the response of the artist, and
then ons of them stepped forward.
II will play with you. if you will let
me, V said she. her voice trembling
slightly.
Gaetano recognized her voice.
You. Anita! you! But you have
lost your senses. We are before
public audience.
But / know | can do it; / am sure
Of myself" replied the girl, with more
frmness in her tone, but as he turned
his sightless eyes toward her, as though
conscious of his disdain, her cheeks
flushed hotiy.
IAN right, then; we'll begin, !"
said he at last, visibly displeased with
the arrangement. There is no use
drawing attention by delay. I am
much afraid the whole thing will be a
complete fiasco. "
Anita seemed not to have heard. At
the first chorus from the piano which
accompanied them she raised her violin
and inclining her head sweetly waited
while 6aetano attacked the romance
with his customary virtuosity; he
finished his melodious phrase and
waited. 1t was now Anita's turn.
The bow crossed the strings and there
was sound of wiugs and murmur
which passed. The notes, soft, very
sweet. fell like drops OF pearl in an
adorable prelude. She was playing
timidly, almost regretfully, when sud-
denly, raising her head, inspired by an
intense emotion, Anita, TRANSPORTED,
commenced the song.
1t was strange, trembling with truth
and passion: the notes came plaintivuly
in long, vibrating accents; it was as
though sigh OF sadness came from
tbs little nervous fingers, while the
violin sung song of love, OF love I'M
requited, disdained. with its suffer-
ings. its jeaiouHies, it hopes. At times
the melody came back. but broken up
and almost lost in the bitter complaint
OF weeping heart, vibrating with tine
expression of Its SORROWS. From the
first Gaetano listened with bowed
head to this song of revelation. This
mysterious love, what was it, and on
whom had it fallen? The complaint,
growing always more sad, struck him
full in the heart, and great fear
seized him. Who was it she loved SO?
He must know. He raised his violin
ready to speak in his turn. when the
sweet notes should cease to thrill.
Anita stopped; before the audience
could express their applause Gaetano
had begun. He commenced With an
imperious rhythm; the phrases were
heard, 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
the sadness of his life without light,
without warmth. In soft, minor tones
he told of his childhood. a sad child
hood, where he heard others talk of
the bright days of the beautiful
flowers, of the trees and green fields.
while he stretched his hands toward
unknown things. trying to solve by
touch thoir mystery. Always alone,
separated by his iniirmity from other
children, no had become sad and bathed
his soul in waves of despondence.
The one day his life had changed |;
be was admitted to the hospital Of
Saint. Alexis, where, among unfur-
tunates like himself, he had been less
miserable. Art had come to his aid /;
music transported him to higher
regions. where all was bright and clear
and he had given it part of his heart,
but for the other, another god had
been waiting, who had Just shown
himself in his power, his strength. his
unconquerahleness
lie had never dared listen before,
but now he must know all. Anita-is
it true--this bappineRs-is it real?
Then more solitude, more sadness, and
then-.Anita. who is it that you love
-? The phrase ended in this suprem,
question and Gaetano paused, leaning
toward the young girl, breathless,
waiting. There was moments silence,
and then a note, full of hone, full of
Joy, full of love, made itself heard,
Anita had confessed all her secret.
The two now played together duet,
in which their hearts vibrated de.
liriousy. The plaintive melody an.
peared constantly, nut transformed
7 into song OF triumph. The world
did not exist for them; the past full Of
agony, was drowned in the new senti-
nent which possessed them. AS the
last chord died away they remembered