Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-02-17

AI RldCcu LuS CAidi ii Oh LIE ANeAA Z
then glanced quickly, distastefully, al
the gay throng surrounding him.
There was a burst of applause
which instantly made him feel en-
rapport with his audience. He ad
vanced 10 meet Wagner and Siebel
while to Piale and Enrico In the the
alter, and to Nita, at the wings. there
came a pang. as Valentino told how
he was sad because he was leaving
his sister, who had now no other pro
i tector; and to many Of the audience
It was comprehensive thar the new
baritone's voice should tremble as he
uttered the words Mia madre piu
non e."
Already he had the sympathies of
the house. but the test of his success
would be in the song, "Dio Possente. -
and for this Piale waited in trembling
expo citation. He need not have
! feared. however. Not one OF the au.
dience had ever heard anything to
equal the devotional fervor Of the
prayer of Margheritas safe-keeping, or
the manly outburst of martial ardor
ceeding 1t, the song both in concep-
ton and rendering, was perfect; and
the Italian audience which would not
| have scrupled mercilessly to hiss him
had he not altogether pleased them,
broke into applause so enthusiastic
that Piale hardly knew whether TO
laugh or TO cry, so great was his emo
ton. The song was vehemently en-
cored, and Carlos reputation was es-
tabished
Even when he was not singing his
was the figure upon which all eyes
rested for he was the one man on the
stage who was actually living his
part; while, in the scene where he
drove back ephistopheles with his
cross.handled sword uplifted, and
sheltered the retreat of the soldiers,
his impassioned assurance that the
cross was allpowerful against evil
stirred every heart.
THAT is a piece of symbolism quite
after Carlos fancy" remarked Enrfco
Ritter. But for once he did not
grumble at the attack on his beloved
theory of egoism. He Joined in the
tumult of applause; and when at the
close Of the act. the new baritone
was called again and again before the
curtain. Enrico felt a thrill of pleas
ure which no did not take the trouble
to- analyze
Meanwhile Carlo was like a differ
being; he knew that he had truly
found his vocation The music, the
success, the applause, had excited him
TO the highest pitch, and the sym,
patty he met with from every one as
tonished him. Only Gomez held sulk-
| lily aloOf and said not a word. but the
rest were warm in their congratula-
| tons. Merlino. with the triumphant
sense. of having secured a first-rate
singer at an unusually small salary,
was quite benevolent and fatherlt;
while, perhaps, Domenica Borelli's
words pleased him more than all
You are the first real actor | have
| ever sung with, signor," she said, in
her grave. low voice. "You have
taught me much tonight"
Piale was at last persuaded to re-
turn &c his place in the audience;
and, as Sardoni was pretty constantly
on the stage, Carlo was left to him
| self during his rather long waiting
| time. He was glad to be alone; he
| wanted time TO realize the great hap
piness which was still left for him in
his darkened life. The sense of hay-
! ing given pleasure 10 those hundreds
of people was in its novelty almost
over-powefing; and yet, in all his ex-
| element and happenss. there was an
undercurreut OF fear. which made him
again and again repeat the words.
Not only with our lips but in our
| lives"
For though an artist has his tri-
umphs. yet there must always mingle
with them the humblng perception
OF his own incompleteness, the sense
that as yet his personal life Is far
| from being the true poem" he wishes
1t to be
There were other thoughts. too.
which made him grave; this nights
work might he hoped, prove to be one
good decisive blow in the warfare he
was waging for Anita's deliverance
but il also meant his more complete
severance from francesca; with al
sigh he wondered If any news Of his
success would reach her
All his nervosuuess had now disap-I
pearcd, and when once more he wenti
To the wings his heart beat hiea with
hope and the inspiriting march reused
every soldjerly instinct within him.
contrasting strangely with the Ker
messe chorus which had so Jared
upon his as he wait, Tor his first en-
trance.
once more his acting carried all
before it. The pathos of his happy
Ignorance, his eager Welcome OF Sic /
bel. aud his brcathless inquiry for
Margherita. his utter absence OF sus. /
picion, and his martial enthusiasm /
app aled To every one. Then when
al last Siebel contriyed to hint TO him
shat all was not Well his agony of
suspense as he questioned the boy.
and his srief and d spair when hei
learned all he truth though IL r0uld /