Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-02-24


wound from her light words
In due course Plymouth was reached
and, as there was time to spare, Eve,
by her sisters directions, went to a.
convent, where were some nuns of
their acquaintance, and stayed there
till fetched by the two young men to
go with them to the theater. Jasper
had written before and secured
tickets.
At last Eve sat in theater-the
gratified. She occupied stall be-
tween Jasper and Mr. Coyshe, a
place that commanded the house, but
was also conspicuous.
Eve sat looking speechlessly about
her. lost in establishment at the nov
city of all that surrounded her; the
crimson curtains, the chandelier of
glittering glass-drops, the crowd of
well-dressed ladies, the tuning of the
instruments of the orchestra, the
glare of light, were to her an expert
ence so novel that she felt she would
have been content to come all the way
for that alone Then she herself was
an object of notice. that opera glasses
were turned upon her, never occurred
to her Fond as she was of admir-
alton, she was too engrosed in admir-
ing to think that she was admired.
A hush. The conductor had taken
his place and raised his wand. Eve
was startled by the sudden lull, and
the lowering of the lights.
Then the wand fell, and the over
ture began. 'Preciosa had been per-
formed in London the previous sea-
son for the first time, and now, out of
season, it was taken to the provinces.
The house was very full. A military
orchestra played.
Eve knew the overture arranged for
the piano for Jasper had introduced
her to it; she had admired it; but
what was a piano arrangement to a
brilliant color rushed into her cheek.
This was something more beautiful
than she could have conceived. The
girls soul was full of musical appre-
citation, and she had been kept for
seventeen years away from the proper
element in which she could live.
Then the curtain rose, and disclosed
the garden of Don Carcamo at Mad
rid. Eve could hardly repress an ex-
clamation of establishment. She
CT t,1nc
and a fountain of water playing, the
crystal drops sparkling as they fell.
outrageous trees on both sides threw
their foliage overhead and met, form
ing succession of bowery arches.
Roses and oleanders bloomed at the
sides Beyond the terrace extended a
distant landscape of rolling woodland
and corn fields threaded by blue
winding river Far away in the re-
mote distance rose a range of snow
clad moutains.
Eve held up her hands, drew long
breath and sighed, not out OF sadness.
but out of ecstasy of delight.
Don Fernando de Azevedo in black
velvet and lace, was taking leave OF
Don Carcamo, and informing him that
he would have. left Madrid some days
ago had he not been induced to stay
an see Preciosa, the gypsy girl about
whom the town was talking. Then er
tered Alonzo the son of Don Carcamo,
enthusiastic over the beauty, talent,
and virtue of the maiden.
Eve listened with eager eyes and
ears, she lost not word, she missed
not a motion. Everything she saw
was real to her. This was true Spain,
Wonder was the Sierra Nevada For
aught she considered. these were true
hidalgoes. She forgot she was in a
theater, she forgot everything, her
own existence, in her absorption.
Only one thought obtruded itself on
her connecting the real with the fic-
titious. Martin ought to have stood
there as Alonzo, in that becoming
costume.
Then the orchestra played softly,
sweetly-she knew the air, drew an
other deep inspiration. her husn
deepened. Over the stage swept
crowd of gentlemen and ladies, and
a motley throng singing in chorus.
Then came in gypsies with tambour
ines and castenets, and through the
midst of them Preciosa in crimson
velvet bodice and saffron skirt, wear
ing a necklace of gold chains ana
coins.
Eve put her hands over her mouth
to check the cry of astonishment; the
dress-she knew tit was that she
had found in the chest. 1t was tna1'
or one most similar.
Eve hardly breathed as Preclosa
told the fortunes of Don Carcamo anu
Don Fernando She saw the love OF
Alonzo kindled and Alonzo she nao
identified with Martin. She-she ner-
self was Preciosa Had she not worn
that dress, ratified that tambourine'
danced the same steps? The curtain
fell: the first act was over. anu 'ie
D,rf hP4r0