The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-02-06
1.-THE CLARA SONATA

Il was a small room and was very
cneerfully lighted. Away in the dis
rance the hum of the big city made
itself heard, but here it was barely per-
ceptible, and the crackle of the logs
On the hearth and an occasional move
ment in an inner room were the chief
things which attracted the ear.
Clara Won Stromberg lay back in
low easy chair, and opposite to her on
the hearthrug stood her fiance, DIR.
Hans Brett, who, as all the world
knowa was one of the cleverest men OF
his profession in the whole Of Europe.
Hans was only young then. and a
line fellow-broad, strong, and comely
to look upon
Clara Won Stromberg was, perhaps.
the most beautiful woman in the whole
kingdom, but it would be dangerous to
say more than that in this age, when
30 many women are beautiful.
Claria was also a celebrity. At this
moment she was the idol of the hour,
Tor those who ought to know had said
That she was the musician of the day.
Hans Brett looked down at her from
his great hight On the hearthrug, and
smiled
The whole city is electrified" he
said. Even on 'Change-as cur Amer
lean friends say-the talk is all of Cla-
rial You and your movements, your
wonderful personality, your marvellous
music, appear to be the one thought
and talk of every one. They say that
the Grand Duke is positively bewitcheo.
You have much to answer for, little
woman"
The Grand Duke is a good man."
murmured CIaria sI wish all the
personages I have met had treated me
as he always has done 1 admire, I
revere him.
They say that tonight is to be the
greatest gala they have ever had in
Princenburg. About twenty-five roy
alties are coming to the theater. and I
could not enumerate the number of
grandees who will follow in their train
And it is all for you, really, though
they talk of jubilee. The theater
looks like fairyland, all garlanded with
roses sent from the South of France,
ar enormous cost, and across the pros
cenium 'Claria,' in huge letters. COM
posed entirely of white lilies on back
ground of laurel, is the most striking
feature in the whole place."
How absurd" calculated Clara. ct
wish people would not lose their heads
over so little"
1t was done at the Grand Dukes
express command. And, after all it
IS most beautiful-like yourself His
tone changed suddenly, and he crossed
the little space between them and
dropped onto his knees beside her. .Oh.
my sweetheart, you are looking like an
angel tonight, in that pure white gown.
How Well it becomes you!"
Clara laid one hand tenderly on his
Shoulder, and smiled sweetly into his
eyes
I am glad you like it. You know.
Hans. that I dress, and play, and live
only for YOU The rest of the world
seems. oh, so far away from US two
when we are together, and when YOU
are away I always feel SO terribly
alone"
Hans Brett did not answer. save by
taking her in his arms. The love be-
tween these two was so deep and true
that they seldom used words to express
1t, deeming them too poor
Clara, however, seemed inclined This
evening to say more than usual on the
subject
You know, Hans, that if ANYTHING
happened to you I should leave the
world I mean I should go away into
Some house where I never saw people
again, and there I should wait and pray
Until the moment came when we should
meet again"
Hans laughed.
Why should anything happen to
me?" he cried, happily. II am strong
and healthy, sober, and only very
small smoker. Besides, ride my bicy-
Gle with a great deal more prudence
than the average man. No. please
God, nothing will happen to divide
u.s. Then, with sudden break in
his voice, he ended: TT would be too
cruel, too unjust, when We love each
other as we do
Clara sat up and looked at him
gravely. She took his great hand and
stroked it ,"
And yet" She paused and looked
away into the glowing fire. and SEEM
ed to muse for few moments Then
she let her gaze fall again on the hand
some, radiant face beside her. II feel
as though something awful were going
to happen tonight You know what
IT has come to me again and again all
day long. and I have put it from me
time after time. Supposing there should
be fire, like that in Paris, where
nearly all the noblest there were burn
ed! Or, supposing there should be a
dynamite explo-''
What nonsense are you talking, 1T
tie woman? Surprising there should be
dynamite explosion, or supposiag the
world should come to an end! You are
nervous and over excited. Come, pull
yourself together, and throw off this
morbid fear of something which is only
a ehimera, an absolutely groundless
fancy of your foolish little BRAIN
Claria smiled
"Supposing." she said again, that I
should suddenly lose my memory in
the very middle of the sonata and
break down, You know, have had the
influential"
Hans jumped to his feet He looked
at his watch.
I'VE shall have to start for the thea
ter in about twenty minutes
DO not let us arrive too soon Hans.
I always get nervous If have to wait
too long after my arrival. I am TO
appear exactly at 1870. and I should
like to get there so as to go straight on
the stage after T have thrown my wraps
aside
A gentle faced woman, with silvery
hair just then came into the room from
the one beyond.
II am quite ready" she said. we