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

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There is plenty Of time.y he said in
reply to the question her eyes asked.
'Claria wants a final rehearsal
Then Clara began.
1t was a marvellous performanc nee The
two who listened were soon completely
under the spell of her music Claria
herself seemed transported Her whole
frame thrilled, her eyes shone with q
tire that betrayed the fever of art that
was consuming her. On, on went the
heavenly, aQl-absorbing strains.
The maids below heard 1t and crept
noiselessly up the stairs and listened
at the door, which they pushed open a
little way.
Claria's music was not earthly that
night. 1t brought visions of other
worlds into her listeners minds; it
drove all evil away, and created only
good in their hearts. Hans Brett could
scarcely breathe, and he stared fixedly
at Claria with an ever growing horror
and vague sort Of dread in his heart.
Claria was beyond herself, even that
night.
What did it all mean? What did it
all mean?
Frau Won Stromberg sat and shivered
visibly. Her eyes closed and she APP
peared to be half fainting.
On went the music, soaring upward
and sinking down, now wailing with
the passion of a broken and despairing
heart, then changing into a veritable
song of triumph.
On, on it went. See the multitude
of warriors, see bapners waving, listen
to the peoples joyous shouts. Mark
the wealth of color, the gold, the silver,
the jewels. Look at the uniforms of
the cavalry. look at the proud dancing
and caracoling of the noble horses.
Here comes bevy of Princes, gor-
geous in their splendor-truly, never
was such a sight seen before. Now
come fair women, oh, how lovely and
how fair!s And after them, surely an
gels, with curious, tender rustling of
their wings which seems to keep time
with the music. Hush, hush! she is
coming; the queen of song, the queen
of the world-Claria herself!
The music ended with an overwheln-
ing burst of bewildering triumph.
Claria had reached her zenith.
There was an intense silence for five
seconds.
Clarias and Hans eyes held each
dropped to her sides, and she fell sud-
denly forward on her face, and so lay,
stretched at full ength.
Hans flew to the motionless form of
Clara. He raised her tenderly in his
arms.
Neither Frau Won Stromberg nor he
spoke.
They looked at each other and their
lips parted slightly.
1t was just half past TO- In the great
theater thousands of expectant people
waited. The place was blaze of light,
a wealth of color, a sight which was
so gorgeous and so complete that 1t
fairly dazzled those who looked upon it.
All round the grand tier sat the
royalties. Diamonds flashed in many
tiaras; orders and ribbons seemed to
have become quite common property.
Far above the name Clara
triumphed in white lilies. And the
young Grand Duke looked up at it and
smiled a little. to himself, and muir
INJURED the word over and over again
to himself under his breath. And the
Princesses on either side of him voted
him DUH, and smiled and nodded at
each other, and then at the stage. But
he did not see them do this.
Then there was a murmur which ran
all through the mighty crowd.
The stately white figure moved slow
" across the stage until she came to
where she should stand. And then the
crowd raised a shout. 1t was wildly,
turbulently, overpoweringly glad shout.
1t was always her peoples welcome to
Clara. At first it had frightened her a
little, but that had been long ago. Now
she only loved it, But tonight she did
not smile. Her face, habitually pale,
looked sad. Her eyes seemed to look
beyond the crowd.
The Grand Duke bent forward, but
she did not see him.
Then she began her sonata.
1t was the same thing over again,
only this time she had her thousands
to listen to her, instead of three or
four spellbound souls in tiny dwelling.
No other sound but that of the wonder
full violin could be heard throughout the
whole great building
But as she neared the end Clara S
mood seemed to change. Instead OF
working up to her song of triumph as
she had ever done, the music seemed to
wander away into the minor, and be-
come slower, and sweeter, and sadder
And SO it died away, wierdly, tenderly,
ravishingly. 1t went on and on to the
end, but always more softly, more deli
cately, more enthrallingly sad, till it
died away altogether.
Hundreds of women were weeping, a
few fell into Mysteries, and shrieked
aloud. Men mopped the perspiration
from their brows and drew deep
breaths. and dug their finger nails deer
into their palms, and looked at each
other And all asked the same ques-
ton with their eyes, which dilated with
wonder.
What has she done? What has she
done?'
She had surpassed herself.
Then the throng rose as man, and
people waved and shouted as though
they would burst their lungs. And
Clara was overwhelmed with flowers
great wreaths and baskets from the
rich, bouquets, small and large, from
many others, for hardly soul but had
brought tribute AS they brought OF
threw them she stood all the while as
though in a trance. looking like g
beautiful white statue. But her eyes
had met those of the Grand Duke, and
she was smiling family. And he re-
manned like one transfixed.
That was Claria Won Stromberg's last
appearance.
She turned and slowly left the stage
The audience called again and again
for her. The Grand Duke, as we'll as
the other Princes present. Joined in
the calls.