Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1903-11-27

1t seemed 10 me as II some humid
cavern had been suddenly opened, and
that had breathed the first Icy waits
OF air emanating therefrom.
Not a sound save her voice was
heard. Her hands hung listlessly by
her side. | do not remember how she
finished. l heard her first strange
tones change 10 soft, sweet voice
OF fascinating. bell-like brilliancy, and
| awoke from trance by hearing
the audience shrek and stamp with
delight.
The applause was feverish and fran
tic, then suddenly ceased as II by
enchantment; the strange woman had
turned aside and began the ordinary
stage business and duet with Edgardo,
as Alheri would have done. The act
ended In indescribable amazement.
Who Is she? Who Is she? What
Il voice" and such exclamations were
heard on all sides.
The director appeared at this mo-
ment, evidently anxious to find out
for himself who the beautiful pale
songstress was but could answer no
inquiries.
In the meantime l hurried behind
the scenes to Alferi's dresslng-room,
where l had often gone to chat with
her, expecting to see this marvellous
creature.
a ~ mr. aTf I'M m tTlo tod
Lucia's bridal costume for the second
act was ready on the sofa; bottle
Of Asti wine, which Alfier always
partook of between the acts, stood on
the table; but naught proved that the
room had been occupied previously
by understanding showed the pres
ence Of the newcomer.
l waited a few minutes, took q few
whiffs from my cigarette, and was
about to return, when l spied upon
the foor an earring of such uncommon
size that | stopped to pick 1t up, aud
gazed upon 1t In wonder. held spell
bound by its beauty.
1t was solitaire diamond, richly
set of slightly greenish tint. |
knew the value of green diamonds,
and estimated this one to be worth
ut least seven or eight thousand dol
lars, being really finer than any |
had seen In the famous vaults of
Dresden.
hastened down to the directors
office to remit 1t, thinking 1t belonged
to the newcomer or to Alheri The
director was absent; soon | heard the
bell ring. The diamond In my hand,
hastened to my seat.
The unknown woman again entered;
she was. If possible, a tinge paler than
before. She wore gloves this time,
and her lips were not so cruelty red.
She sang, and, ye gods, what song.
Her voice scared, spread, fused with
other invisible voices; 1t rang sono-
rously, and murmured diyinely In
power and harmony-a
voice all fire. voice all soul
| trembled-the audience quiyered.
Still that strange being stood In the
inous black eyes gaze continually up
ward; she seemed not TO heed her fell
lowartists; the bewilderment OF Ed
gardo. the anxious, inquiring glance ]
of Ashton did not move her; she would
glide by them ike sylph. vision
light ethereal, graceful No one
heard her walk-she sang.
Again the curtain fell, again the
house cried out with delirium. "Braya!
brava" yelled the rabble.
But no one appeared.
Again | went to Altieri's box while
the ballet (which in those days was
performed between the acts was GO
ing on, but II was empty; SO l re
turned to listen to the animated dis
cussions and conversations In the
lobby.
"Alfieri Is eclipsed she is Pasta and
Persiani combined! She is not human.
she Is an angel from Heavens gatesr
'"Tis the Beatrice of Dante descend
ed from Heaven
A friend came from behind the
scenes.
well, what news, Ricciardo? Hay
you seen her?'
No, but GrazZini has (GraZzn
was the tenor, handsome fellow.
and he tells me he spoke TO her
forced to do SO by some subtle, mag
netic attraction. He told her of his
his admiration, his love, |
believe, and she answered him, in
Milanese dialect, We shall meet
again.
The bell rang and the curtain went
up slowly. The lights seemed TO burn
BADLY, and the, heat was sitting, but
Upon the entrance Of the mysterious
stranger a sudden chill pervaded every
,ne.
We did not breathe to listen, and
rs | gazed upon her. charmed by her
beauty, l noticed that
rom one Of her ears hung a bright,
arge stone, similar tothe one | held
n my hand. Scarcely had ! seen it
when she caught my eye She SMILED