Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-05-13
BLIND LOVE.
Translated From the French of "Andre de Beau

Translated From the French Of "Andre de Beau
mont.
The concert given by the Blind
asylum of Rome and patronized by the
nobility was about TO begin; they had
Just placed the last row of chairs in
the church of Saint-Alexis and the
beautiful Roman women, who wore
their velvet and diamonds with such
Incompatible grace. crowded. whisper
ing, around the entrance. As is Gus
tomary at Rome under these circum-
stances the church had been trans
formed into concert hall; draperies
OF red silk covered the walls, tina
affairs had been removed and under
large canopy, supported by columns
of antique wood, the platform was
placed, upon which 40 musicians. all
blind from birth, had just taken their
places.
In the hall a certain restessness still
reigned; the ushers were conducting
the invited guests to their seats; in
the first row only two seats remained
unoccupied.
THE Princess Gozia is late, as
usual" remarked one of the pretty
guests, looking toward tho empty
| places.
sob, we'll, do not reproach her for
such trifiing fault"
What indulgence, my dear count
1t is evidently useless to argue the
| question with you, Has the delicious
little French woman staying with the
| Princess turned your head, too? If she
has you had better look quickly, for
here she comes. !"
a movement more pronounced was
made in the crowd at tine door and
several ushors hurried there. An old
lady came busting in, bowling and
smiling. She was without doubt one
| of the great patrons of the institution.
Behind her, leaning on the arm OF a
distinguished looking man, walked the
| prettiest of Parisians. Her nationality
was evident, from the blonde hair,
prettily curIed. to the tip Of her small
highly polished shoes.
my friend, the Countess Germaine
de Prefaille," said the old lady, pre-
senting her to two or three authorities
| present. id
There was a murmnr of voices, the
sound of scraping chairs, then the
voices were lowered as the players
began TO tune their instruments; the
| conceft was aDoub TO begin,
:" am so 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
Rubiustein's romance The young
blind girl who Mays it with him was
taken sick this morning and no one else
plays the violin well enough to take heg
PLACE.
"Oh, what a shame! The concert
will be spoiled. Gaetano is on the
programme and every one has come to
bear him."
II know it; it is most annoying.
But what can be done?'
$50 and speak to MIN yourself. Tell
him that l counted on him and thar he
must not disappoint the audience. II
is impossible that among all thsse
young artists there is not a single one
able to play the piece with him. You
have no idea of Gaetano's talent, q
continued the Princess, turning toward
Nine. de Prefaille; his variations are
simply exquisite. That is he, little
to the left on the platform, turning
this way" The Countess Germaine
since her arrival had regarded pity.
insly the strange group before her; all
these eyes without sight; Sumo wide
opening in the fixed stare of tho dead
others seeming to reflect a reddish
| light, looking straight before thcm,
unconscious of the terrible effect; still
others, deep and empty, giving the
aspect of ghosts to these young people
full of life. And as they played,
absorbed by their, music. they moved
their heads softly, smilingly and tbeiI
checks Redeemed with pleasure, while
Gaetano, his large, blank eyes fixed
before him, moved his bow dreamil,
across his violin.
They say that you must play, u
whispered Prince Gozia. coming close
to him during an intermission.
But it is impossible; the variations
are difficult. and no one could play
them without much practice
j 81 have been authorized to ask il