The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1902-07-05


He stood in the pulpit garbed IL
black and white robes of his order. The
circlet of lights that twinkled above his
head made him look like an aureoled
saint.
He preached with all the fervor and
fiery earnestness of his Italian nature
His sonorous voice was the only sound
that disturbed the stiffness in that
flower scented, incense-laden atmos-
phere. There was not even the faintest
rustic among the listeners; their eyes
were riveted upon him, their ears
strained to catch his every intonation.
Outside all was hustle and excite
ment A continuous stream of car
riages passed upand down Fifth ave-
nue.. Pedestrians jostled each other
on the sidewalk and at the crossings.
| A brougham, drawn by a magnificent
pair of bays, whirled by. One IF the
horses slipped and fell heavily on the
asphalt. A policeman left his post and
hurriedly wrenched open the door of
the vehicle. It's occupant, a beautiful
woman, spang out. The night was
cold, and despite the fact that q fur
cloak covered her evening gown, she
shivered in the keen air.
The great white cathedral looned up
before her. Moved by an irresistible
impulse, she mounted the steps and en-
tered. When she saw the preacher her
dark eyes dilated and a strange gleam
crept into them.
Father Silvio Petroni spoke on un-
conscious of her intent gaze. His SUI
perb oratory thrilled the people. He
seemed to them an inspired prophet
rather than a mere priest. When he
ceased they knelt as though actuated
by common impulse, to receive his BEN
ediction.
A moment later the choir begal the
"Adeste Fideles." The woman who had
just entered rose and joined III the
hymn. Her voice rang high above the
others. 1t was clear as q bell, sweet
as the lark's greeting to Dawn or the
nightingale'S Serenade to Evening.
The congregation listened breath
lessly to that liquid melody.
At the cound of it the Dominican
started and came to standstill within
the door of the vestry. He ;.aused
there, motionless as a statute, his head
slightly bowed.
A score of years had passed since last
he heard that glorious voice, but he
recognized it at once. 1t brought back
flood of memories pertaining 10 the
days of his youth. He behald as in a
dream the vine-clad bills of his Milan
ese home, and a procession of youths
and maidens walking toward wayside
shrine. Among them was MS brothers |
betrothed singing this very hymn.
That beloved brother had given his |
heart into the girls keeping and had |
believed that nothing could ever come |
between them. But a great Impress |
ario tempted her away, and when Ra |
fael Petroni heard that she had bios |
somed into the famous diva known as |
Livia Capello, he realized that she was |
lost to him forever.
When the hymn ended, the singer |
went softly down the aisle and entered |
the vestry. She yearned to hear some |
thing of the lover of her youth. She |
had never forgotten him. 1t was true
that her ambition was stronger than
her love, yet in the midst of all her i
triumphs, follies and caprices she
ness. She had not seen or heard of him
since the day they parted, for their
pathways in life lay apart, but now her
heart was hungry for him.
She threw back her head and looked
at the priest. She had loosened her
furs and her snowy throat cleaned
from out the sable background. Her
glowing southern beauty was the type
that Giorgio Barbarelli liked best to
paint, but the Dominican searched in
vain for a trace of the innocence that
had once distinguished her
What of Rafael? Is it we'll with
lim?' She asked TREMENDOUSLY.
Father Petroni gazed at her sternly
accusingly, then answered: 1T is well
With him-he is deadl''
Dead! When-way-of what did he
iie?" she stammered.
"A broken heart, it is said.''
She staggered back, white to the
ips, her hands upraised as though to |,
ward off a blow
The priests expression changed into
'ne of divine compassion, and as she
urned away he murmured pitingly,
Peace be with you!'
She hurried into the church and
Frustrated herself before the altar Old
memories thronged in upon her-mem-
'ries of her joyous, innocent childhood,
md of the man whose life she had
wrecked. She was shaken with re-
morse at the thought of all her mis-
pent years, and of the loved dead to
whom she might have brought so
much happiness. And even her broken
whispered words of contrition and the
calding tears that flowed so freely
ave no relief to her overcharged
leart.
The Metropolitan opera house was
n tumult. The Sunday night audi
nee that had come to attend the grand
oncert refused to be placated by the {
nanagement's apologies for the alb {
ence of the italian diva. They clam
red for their idol, apd shouts of Ca
ello! Capello!' rent the air
AT last she came. The house fairly Z
ose at her, but she did not acknowl-
dge their greeting. Her face was cold, I
nsmiling and rigid as q death mask
She glided to the footlights, and the ;;
leader raised his baton. She
tayed him with an imperious gesture,
nd the next instant the strains of /
he "Adeste Fideles'' rang through the !
ouse. AS the silvery notes scared {
loft, men trembled and women !,
obbed. The unearthly sweetness of
er voice made their hearts vibrate !
When she left the stage none moved /
r spoke. The vast audience seemed I
pellbound.
In the wings the director accosted !
er, and wrathfully demanded why she :
ad not sung the aria from Faust in
ccordance with the programme.
She regarded him with the blank, un-
eeing gaze of the sleep-walker or of
ne whose faculties had suddenly be-
ome paralyzed; then she whispered:
Peace be with you! 1 sing no more!''
nd passed out into the night.
In vine-covered cottage on the out
hirts of Milan there lived a stately,
lack-robed woman whom the lazzaroni
allied Madonna Penseroso." The
anne was most appropriate, for her
Melancholy expression never varied.
She was the good angel of the town
he poor, the manned, the just and
lie unjust were made welcome within
er gates.