Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-05-19
CHAPTER XVI
Behind the Scenes.


No fire out.fashing from the living
Cod
Then, then. to rest in faith were
worthy victory!"
George Macdonald.
Sardoni and Gomez, the Almayiya
and Fiorello of the evening, were
close at hand; Fiorello's part was
practically over. but he had fingered
near to see how Donati would get on;
when he saw him Kissed off the stage
a quiet smile stole over his dark feat
ures, but when he saw him fall back
fainting he rubbed his hands with sat
isfaction, fingered but a moment TO
assure himself that the baritone lay
motionless on the boards with his gui-
tar beside him, then rushed as fast as
he could TO his dressing-room. flung
on a thick brown ulster, caught up
his hat, and hurried out OF the theater.
Just outside the stage door he en-
countered Mr.. Britton
Now Mr.. Britton was one Of those
kindlylooking courteous men who are
constantly stopped by passers-by in
the street who have lost their way or
who need any kind Of help; Gomez
instinctively turned to the pleasant
looking stranger.
Pardon me, sir. but can you kindly
tell me whether It Is too late 10 send
telegram from the post-ofIice' he
asked breathlessly.
Oh no, you win find 1t open,
said Mr.. Britton, looking at him
keenly
Gomez thanked him, and ran at full
speed down the narrow side street.
and two minutes later he might have
been seen standing al one Of the little
screened desks in the post.oifce, writ
ing the following message in Italian:
Valentino III: was Kissed of stage
tonight after Largo al factotum. Get
paragraph put in one OF London
papers. See It tomorrow, and tele-
graph promptly 10 NJ, Offering your
services
Meantime Sardonl. far TOO much
startled and shocked to pay the slight
est attention 10 Gomez. rushed iof
ward TO his friend help, flung the
guitar out of the way. ard raising
Carlos head. looked anxiorsly at his
motionless features and pale lips, bit
terly repoaching himself with the abb
sorption IN his own affairs which had
made him blind 10 all else, Some
sense of the contest between that still
form and the noisy confusion In the
theater first reminded him that the
curious audience we're watching this
unexpected scene in the opera with
eager eyes; and that. although the
Kisses had changed into a babel OF
question and surmise. Carlo was still
exposed 20 every sort of ruthless
criscism.
Tell those idiots 10 let down the
curtain. he said, impatiently as
Mari0ni came hurrying forward. with
bis pale face and his hushy hair. look.
ing more distraught than usual. The
little conductor had flung down his
baton and rushed from the orchestra
be instant Carlo had fallen. but he
was too excitable TO think. as Sar-
doni thought. OF practical matters.
And yet 1t was a relief TO him to be
told TO do something he rushed
away 20 give the order. and the next
minute the curtain descended, yelling
from the audience the crowd of act.
ors and attendants which had gath
cred round poor Figaro Mr. Britton,
who had been admitted at the stage
door, was just in time TO see Carlo
borne into the green room. ami to
follow with those who came after. he
had heard so much Of theatrical jeal,
Uusies ard Quarrels, and had formed
so low an opinion Of theatrical people
that be was surprised to see tie real
sympathy and concern shown by every
creature present,
He has been III this long time. 80
said old Bauer. but he had TOO
much spirit TO give in Poor lad :
these brutes ought to have seen how
II was with him "
Thought more OF the bad bargain
they had made than of the singer S
feelings said Tannini with his Yam.
kee twang. Well, 'tis the way OF the
world
Are you the doctor, sir?" asked
Domenica Borelli. noticing Mr. Bril-
ts,.. tn. q rs-t