The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1920-12-17


school. He was handsome. He had
Imagination which colored his fine
voice when he sang. ConsuelO, a
scrawny, Iark-skinned Spanish peasant
girl, was another Of Porpora's pupils.
She was plain, but had beautiful
voice and spirit.
She and Anzoleto were good friends,
nothing more, but he-an Grant philan-
derer-was always falling in love and
coming to Consuelo for sympathy and
advice. He was q rascal and an in
crate.
Consuelo made her first public ap-
pearance in the simple dress of a
peasant girl, and her voice-filled with
the fire of her soul-took the city.
Everyone was at her feet. Young
suitors sought her hand and among
them was Anzoleto. It was the ro-
mantle period in Venetian history
about 1850. Consuelo engaged herself
to her fellow-pupil, but repulsed the
others. Her genius had won admira.
ton; her dignity and modesty had
won respect.
The Count Justinian not only en-
gagged her for his theatre, but fell In
love with her and tried to win her from
Anzoleto. She would not be led away
and made 1t a part Of her contract
that her betrothed should also be en-
gagged to sing. Her sweetness anf
fidelity the more deeply enslaved tht
count.
Consuelo's rival, a singer named
Gorilla, was bitterly incensed by thu
action of the count. Anzoleto played
on her jealousy and pretended to b.
her lover. OF this perfldy Consuelt
knew nothing.
At the first public performance Con
.uelo achieved renewed success, bu
Anzoleto was almost overlooked.
Her teacher warned her not t,
marry Anzoleto and to prove his cas-
forced her to visit the home of Gorilla
They found Anzoleto there and Con
suelo was convinced of his perfidy
She repulsed Anzoleto. refused tn
love of the count and fled to Vienn
on the advice of Porpora.
A little later, Porpora sent her t
his friend, Count Christian Of Bohemis
to serve as companion to his niece, tn
Baroness Amelia. just come from
convent school at Prague. Consuelt
who arrived at the castle on storm
night, was in awe of the count an
his surroundings, but Amelia, a Lowell
girl, treasured her and won her instan
affection. That night, as Consuel
came, an ancient tree on the estat,
known as the tree Of misfortune, fe
In the storm.
News Of its fall threw the count
household into confusion and terro
"Some evil Is abroad" the counties
said, and soon after Count Albert. tn
son, entered, handsome. pale an
sad young man. who announced ths
a strange peace was about to sett1
over the house. He smiled at Coz
suelo, touched her hand and Withdrew
leaving her deeply mystified.
Albert. she soon learned, was a gel
tie and admirable soul. but man {
morbid moods which we're in effe,
frances and was only mildly intereste
In Amelia, who was intended to be h
wife.
Amelia told Consuelo that Albert WI
not only medium. but a seer as we
AZ scholar and that she found him ri
attractive.
l
Consuelo. en- the contrary, ",
charmed with Albert, who seemed mut
benefited by her presence. He aceep
ed her as the consolation promised I
an inner voice. Her singing called hi
from his frances, transported ar
strengthened him. She became his ph
sician as well as his confessor.
] She found herself surrounded
mysteries. Secret doors, inexplicab
names. gliding phantoms stirred h
curiosity and allured her to explor