Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-05-22
with a series of short strokes.

with series of short strokes.
In the great canal of San Marco the
scene was like a water carnival. Hun
dreds of gondolas, with bobbing lights,
swan slowly round the barges of the
serenaders, who, for the most part,
were fallen operate stars or those who
had failed to attain those dizzy
heights. Many of them had good voices
but few of them last long in the damp
Venetian night air. Tonight there were
three of these belanterned barges,
taking their stands about three hum
dred yards apart. The glowing Goals
of cigarettes and cigars of the men
in the gondolas were like low-lying
stars, and the cold, bright flash of
jewels woke here and there among the
many beautifully gowned women.
From one barge to another the Condo
las drifted, finally clustering around
the middle barge of the Troupe San
Marco, which offered the best voices.
Between songs man of acrobatic ac-
complishments would jump nimbly
from the prov of one gondola to an
other stepping lightly here, balancing
neatly there, and always with the up
turned tambourine extended for silver
and copper largess.
| Merrihew sat in the bottom of the
gondola. while Hillard sprawled across
the cushions of the seat. The prima
donna was singing the jewel song
from Faust, and not badly. Sometimes
the low hum Of voices foated across
the cadence of the song. Merrihew
scanned the faces of all those neal
him, but never a face took on familiar
lines. An Adriatic liner doomed VI
gray and shadowy behind them. and
some Of the crew were leaning idly
over the rail. The song stopped. The
man with the tmbourine sailed forth
Out of the momentary silence came
the indistinct tinkle of the piano il
the barge beyond; some one owe
there was believing the toreador':
song This died away amid a fain
patter Of approval. How clear all the
sounds were! thought Merrihew Thu
tenor of the San Marco Troupe rose
with the ,prima donna. 1t was II Tro
vatore this time; a bit noisy.
! What was that? Hillard was NJ
longer lethargic. He stumbled over tn
recumbent Merrihew.
"Why don't you walk all over me?
growled Merrihew. "Sit down.,
stBe still" said Hillard roughly
From a gondola on the far side Q
the barge, standing out of the pres
and just beyond the radiance of tn
lanterns, never powerful at best, cam
another voice, a voice that had sou
in it. voice which broke into son
for the pure JOY of it, spontaneous!
Clear, thrilling a voice before whlc
the world bows down. The prima do1
ma in the barge was clever; she stol
; ped. The tenor went on howeve
recognizing that he was playing oppt
site as they say, to great SINCE
Hillards heart beat fast. That voice
There could not be another like !
And she was here in Venice!
"Achille," he said, "do you hear ths
!. voice over there in the dark?"
Eyes, signore."
push round to it. See, the SINCE
a is standing up now. Hurry"
e This sounded important, and Merr
= hew scrambled to his feet. Yes. b
e too, could see this unexpected canta
s rice. In fact, everybody was beginnlr
q to stand up. All interest was centere
e in this new voice. Then, as II CO
t. scious of this interest, the singer s.
/! down. but still kept to the melod
e Achille backed out of the jam, sto
/ round the barge and craftily approac
ed the outstanding gondola. The tV
= men still remained on their fet.
d Quick, Achille!" For the far condo
y was heading for the Grand Canal
Y Merrihew understood now. +
S grasped Hillard's arm excitedly.
"Follow!" commanded Hillard. "Tt
!" lire if you can come UP alongside tn
If eondola Can ynai the numhar?"