The Washington herald., 1919-08-07
'Consuelo, the Gypsy
Singer"
By GEORGE SAND
CONDENSATION by Irving Bacheller)

Anzoieto was street gamin of
Venice. He had learned how 10 sing
in Professor Porpora's school. He
was handsome. He had imagination
which colored his fine voice when he
sang. COnsUelo, a scrawny, dark
skinned Spanish peasant girl, was an
other Of Porpora's pupils. She was
plain. but had a beautiful voice and
spirit,
She and Anzoleto were good friends,
nothing more, but he-an errant phi
landerer-was always falling in love
and coming to Consuelo for sympathy
and advice. He was a rascal and an
migrate.
CORsuelO made her first public ap-
/ pearance in the simple dress of a
peasant girl, and her voice-nlled with
the fire of her soul-took the city.
Everyone was at her feet. Young
suitors sought her hand and among
thez1 was AnzoIetO. 1t was the ro-
mantle period in Venetian history.
about IGJC. ConsuelO engaged herself
to her fellOw-pUpil. but repulsed me
others. Her genius had won admira-
ton. her dignity and nOdesty had won
respect
The Count Justinian not only en-
gagged her for his theater, but fell in
love with her and tried to win her
FROM AnzoIetO. She would not be led
away.and made it a part of her con-
tract that her betrothed should also
be enea ged to sing. Her sweetness
and fidelity the more deeply enslaved
the count.
Lonsuelo's rival. a singer named
| Gorilla was bitterly incensed by the
N.ez W01a. a
On her jealousy and pretended to he
her lover. OF this perndy Consuelo
knew nothing.
At the first public performance
Consulo achieved renewed success.
but AnzoletO was almost overlooked.
Her teacher warned her not to marry
AnzoletO and to prove his case forced
her to visit the home of Gorilla They
found AnzOIeto there and Consuelo
was convinced of his pertidy- She re-
pulsed AnZOletO. refused the love OF
the count and fed to Vienna on the
advice of Porpora.
\ little later. POrpora sent her to
his friend. Count Christian Of Bo-
hemia, to serve as companion to his
niece, the Baroness Amelia just come
from a convent school at Prague Con-
sueIo. who arrived at the castle on
stormy night. was in awe OF the count
and his surroundings. but Amelia.
5oyeIy girl rea ssured her and won her
instant affection. That night. as Con-
suelO came, an ancient tree on the
estate. known as the tree Of mis-
fortune, fell in the storm
News Of its fall threw the counts
household into confusion and terror.
some evil is abroad" the countess
said, and soon after Count Albert,
the son. entered, a handsome, pale
and sad young man, who announced
that a strange peace was about to
settle over the house. He smiled at
TonsueIo. touched her hand and with
drew. leaving her deeply mystified.
Albert. she soon learned. was a
gentle and admirable soul. but man
of morbid moods which were in efrect
RANGES and was only mildly interested
N Amelia who was intended to be his
wife
Amelia told Consuelo that Albert
vas not only medium. but a seer. as
veil as a scholar. and that she found
aim unattraCtiye.
ConsueIo. on the contrary. was
charmed with Albert, who seemed
benefited by her presence. He aC-
cepted her as the consolation prom
|
saIIed him from his frances. trans
ported and strengthened him. She
became his physician as well as his
.onfessor.
She found herself surrounded by
mysteries. Secret doors, inexplicabIe
James, gliding phantoms. stirred her
uriosity and allured her to explor,-
ion. Once when Albert had been
Missing for time they led her to a
we'll. She descended 1t and found a
secret passage. This she traversed
and beyond it found her loveS de-
anged and ill. in the care OF an i'm
Iecile servant. She nursed him back
o health.
Consuelo's exposure and excitement
n this midnight expedition produced
l violent fever and Albert's love ana
are deepened. For a time it seemed
IS though he might win her hand. but
between these devoted young people
he dissolute AnZoletO thrust himself
Although at first she gave way be-
ore him. ConsUelo reCained her self
sontrol and put him aside. The good
Jount Christian, finding her nobly
rank about her early life. not only
expressed his admiration, but request
d her to marry his son, whose reason
he had restored.
To this she answered, The honor is
cry great. but I am a singer, I must
eturn to my art
To avoid Anzoleto she fed by night
ward Vienna in order to rejoin Por-
ora, her teacher. Consuelo reached
aere only to find old Porpora a mas
IT without school or pupil.
In her attempts to secure a position
the Court Theater she failed by
sason Of the opposition of the EN-
ress Maria and the enmity OF Gorilla,
sr bitter rival The corruption. the
wage hatreds which marked the at
Iosphere OF the court and the thea
sr led her to dream of Albert and
le marriage he had offered.
At last she wrote to Albert, ex-
ressing her love for him.
Porpora, to whom she gave her
,tter TO post. burned it and wrote one
his own to Count Christian. He
Fas Jealous of her art and desired
proft by 1t.
Six weeks passed. Consuelo heard
othins from Albert. and as a sudden
hancs to sing in opera came to her.
sc accepted it. Her goodness and
enerosity had won even Gorilla, who
lelded her part to her.
One day. while rehearsinz for
enobia- her first great part. ConsueIo
Aaught she saw Count Albert in the