New-York tribune., 1906-11-18

IeelIu more lIdn Il century ago NlInln ClOlSIeT
walls Thus the story runs
1t was All Saints Day in the year 1880.
The bells were ringing for mass III the chapel of
the beautiful convent of Santa Lucia not far
In the picturesque garb of the land moved
toward the cloister gates. Above them and
around them and about them beamed the blue
sky and the golden sunshine of Italy.
The windows of the chapel greeted them with
a golden blaze OF glorious radiance. Within
the sacred edihCe they found a dim religious
light. The priest appeared. Every knee was
bent every head bowed From elevated
invisible choir burst forth the kWie gleason Of
Maestro Palestrna. The noble strains were
borne to the hearts of the faithful by the pure
sweet voices of the nuns Clear and distinct
above the web and wOof of tones rose the mel
ody on which the entire tOnal structure was
founded. The other parts entWIned themselves
about 1t, striving to suppress it, but it tri-
umphed every obstacle. In the Gloria
l1ere suddenly rang out silvery toned soprano
that scared far above all the other voices and
made its way, with the most enhancing undula-
tons to every nook and corner of the chapel
Its tones were of a totally different quality than
those of other singers and they aroused wave
of excitement that surged through every heart
III the congregation.
In the Crcdo the marvellous voice was hushed
1t heard again in the noble AgUnS Del,
darting through the incense laden air like a vic
tory bearing barbed arrow. The voice betrayed
neither sex nor age. Its tones daZZled the
hearers but did not quicken their religious
emotions On the contrary, its influence on the
devotions of those present was a disturbing one.
As the WOrshipers Wended their WaV home
ward, the wonderful voice afforded the main
topic of conversation. No one had ascertained
the name of the invisible sOngstress. That
there was some mystery about the voice there
could be no doubt, and it was unanimously
agreed to solve it.
The following morning, a laughing, JOYOUS
Italian morning, there once more pressed through
the portals of Santa Lucia an eager throng. Ex-
peCtatlOn was depicted on every COuntenanCe.
Once more the vibrations of the wonderful
voice throbbed and thrilled through the chapel.
Once more hearts tluttered with excitement.
Once more devotion was overcome by CurIOS
At the conclusion of the service, those who
questonngly and thankfully accepted the voice
a gift from on high We're in the small minority
great majority was sWaved by Seething state
unrest. Hearts and tongues alike We're busted "
manifold doubts and queries in regard to the
SOnalltV of the singer.
1t is, after all, child whose singing we hear
cried woman, who having fingered for a nom
in the chapel now hastened to join her cOmpaniC
g caught glimpse of her myself, as she pas
behind the grating She is as beautiful an
and
"Nonsense!" interrupted another voice g
child ever sang that way"
Some one told me-" cried another, THAI
famous prima donna is boarding with the sisters
Santa Lucia. I'll warrant you, it was she Y
sang
No, mol" came from yet another THE vC
was that of a girl in her teens. | think it was
OF the younger sisters, a novice perhaps. The CT
behind the grating only a listener
1t was neither child nor woman" here broke
agitated voice. "A miracle has been wrou
in behalf of this blessed cloister. An angel fr
Heaven has been sent by Santa Lucia to bring no
and gold to the good Mother Theresa and this no
of piety and good deeds"
what childish prattle" interposed a sh
visaged man. The whole matter is but bit
deception to wiring from us our hard earnings"
At once the people thronged about the
speaker, who thus continued
The convent is poor. Santa Lucia needs a I
velvet robe, gold chain, bracelets, and other G