Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-09-03
BLIND LOVE.

The concert given by the blind asylum
of Rome and patronized by the nobility
was about to begin. The church had been
transformed into concert hall. Draperies
of red silk covered the walls. The 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 first row only two seats remained
unoccupied.
"The Princess Gozia is late, as usual"
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
bustling 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 Parisians. Her nationality was
evident from the blond hair, prettily
curled, to the tips Of her small, highly
polished shoes.
Prefaille," said the old lady, presenting
her to two or three authorities present.
There were murmur of voices and the
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 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 RubinsMin's ro-
nance. The young blind girl who plays
1t with him was taken sick this morning,
and no one else plays the violin well
enough to take her place"
ooh, what shame! The concert will
be spoiled. Gaetano is on the programme,
and every one has come to hear him.
The Countess Germaine since her ar
rival had regarded pityingly the 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 fixed before him. moved his bow
dreamily across his violin.
"They say that you must play" wbis-
pered 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"
A movement was produced among the
girls at the response of the artist, and then
one of them stepped forward.
IT will play with you, if you will let
me-" she said, her voice trembling Slightly.
Gaetano recognized her voice.
"You, Anita? You? But you have lost
your senses. We are before q public audi
ence."
"But know l can do it; am sure of
myself" replied the girl with more firm
ness in her tone, but as he turned his
sightless eyes toward her, 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. l lam much afraid the whole thing
will be complete fiasco.'
Anita seemed not to have heard. At
the first chords from the piano which ac-
companied them she raised her violin and
waited while Gaetano attacked the ro-
nance.
1t was now Anitas turn. The bow
crossed the strings and there was a sound
of wings and murmur which passed.
She was playing timidly, almost regret
fully, when suddenly, raising her head,
inspired by an intense emotion, Anita,
TRANSPORTED, commenced the song.
1t was strange, trembling with truth
a nd nj a n
long, vibrating accents. 1t was rs though
sigh of sadness came from the little nerv-
GUS fingers, while the violin sang a song
or love-of love unrequited, disdained,
with its sufferings, its jealousies, its hopes.
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? 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
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 the
sadness of his life, without light, without
warmth. In soft, minor tones he told of
bis childhood, sad childhood, 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
their mystery.
Then one day his life had changed. Art
had come to his aid, music transported
him to higher regions, where all was
bright and clear, and he had given it q
part of his heart, but for the other another
god had been waiting, who had just shown
himself in his power, his strength, his I'M
conquerableness.
He had never dared listen BEFORE but
now he must know all. Anita-is it true
this happiness it realp Then more
solitude, more Sadness and then-Anita,
who Is 1t that you love-
The phrase ended in this supreme ques-
ton, and Gaetano paused, leaning toward
the young girl, breathless, waiting. There
was moments silence, and then note,
full of hope, full Of joy, full of love, made
itself heard. Anita had confessed all her
secret
The two now played together duet
The world did not exist for them. The
past, full of agony, was drowned in the
new sentiment which possessed them.
There was an instant's silence before the
applause broke out, and with it came cries
of "encore. They did not understand
that such scene could not be played
twice. -Chicapo News.