Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1856-12-17

A week later and Blanca again felt th
vengeance of her tormentor, for Antoni
! Brindisi her betrothed was missing and d
clue could be obtained as to his place of con
ccalment, although every search was made
Another note lay upon the window-sill in Ri
anca's little room
Two gone, dear to Biancas heart. VII
she repent?'
This note was shown to all In the village
together with the other, but SO close did tn,
robbers keep themselves, that though searct
was continued night and day, 10 trace of thcil
hiding places could be discovered. Bidaes
| for time seemed prostrated by her trouble
| but her youth and health enabled her to re-
cover, and few months after the death Of
| her father, her mother aud herself left the
| village and went to Rome, where through the
| influence of her friends, she was enabled to
study, and become an actress, and in short
a very successful one. At the end of four
years, when she was about twenty-three, she
was seized with a longing to return to her
native village, and she did so. When Bian-
ca arrived at Chieti, she found there bad
been established a small theatre, at which she
agreed to act for a few nights The villagers
were in ecstacies. The day before her iuten
ded appearance, to her infinite horror, Ste
intruded himself upon her Blanca was
alone N the house, and, her heart sank with
IN her when he began to plead his suit
IS You have come back to the village
lonely, sad woman, and may, perhaps, be will
ling to look with more favor upon the suit of
one who has worn your image in his heart for
years [ am powerful and rich. What will
be your answer now. when l again ask you
to be mine %
MY answer" said Biancas slowly. is
that L despise you, and it is with greater loath-
ing and hate than ever, that I look upon you.
You are powerless now to do me any more
harm "
g Fair lady said Stephamo, with sueer,
g l am not as powerless as you think for I
can again make your proud heart culver, and
perhaps falter. Listen: Antonio Briudisi is
not dead as you suppose him to be, but is i'm
prisoned in cave, which | alone can enter
and though kept from starving, he is ill-trea-
ted, and hardworked. Say that you will be
mine, and he shall be set free, given gold e.
nough to last him his whole life,
''Villain robber" exclaimed Blanca
" Life and freedom to Antonia, purchased at
such price would be only q curse. 10 boon
He can only die and follow him No [
will I've to bring your head to its proper plcce,
the block. Beware for 10 matter how close
you keep yourself, my eyes shall find out your
hiding place, and my voice seal your just
DOOM"
With low, mocking laugh, stephano
sprapg from the room, and Blanca sank al
most scnseless upon the floor
The eventful evening arrived, ard the thea
tire was crowed to overflowing; many anxious
to see their playmate and friend in her new
life, and all eager to see the popular Bandet
tiEi The play was far below any one of BIZ
anea's accustomed pieces, being simple com
edy. suited to the capacity OF the actors The
hrsi scene was Of scarcely any note, being
merely an interview between Blanca and her
lover. II scene second, the heroine is Drocee
ding to the church to be marri-;i. accompani-
ed by the girls of the village. as train of
honor, when they are surprised AMI seized by
a band OF robbers, the chief of whom is ena-
mored Of the young peasant girl. The cur
tam rose, and Blanca in bridal dress, followed
by dozen young girls in holiday attire, en-
tered at the back Of the stage singing the
bridal chant Suddedly shrek is heard
and the bandits rush upon them. The bride
rushes wildly across the stage, pale and Shrek
ing-the bandit chief seizes her, aud she
swoons. The applause was tremendous, SO
well had Blanca acted her part and many sill
ly girls drew closer to each other and whis-
pered- only think, if it was true ?'' a mo-
ment, and the bride slowly opens her eyes,
and partly raises herself, and the house comes
down in another round Of applause Slowly
raising herself, and looking wildly around,
she makes sudden bound forward, and reach
es the foot flights, where sinking on her kness,
and stretching out her hands to the audience,
she exclaims in low, thrilling tones
+" Dear friends, this is no acting. the ban
dts are upon US Look around, they are in
your very midst
The people turn, and behold every door
and window IS guarded by compile of feroci-
ous-looking fellows. armed to the teeth
Black horror filled the minds of the simple
villagers, who always held the robbers in alb
ject fear. and now the horrible strangeness of
their situation keeps them sitting motionless
with pale lips and cheeks. As Blanca gave
the people the dreadful inform alton, Stphano,
the leader of the band, came forward from the
back of the stage, and seizing Blanca rudely
by the shoulder, dragged her upon her feet,
exclaiming:
"By Jove! you shall go on! Myself and
companiens are interested in the play and
wish to see the end. 1t is none of your busi-
ness whether you play to real or actual rob-
bers. Go on"
With proud gesture, Blanca shook off the
robbers hand and resumed her part, which
was pleading for the release of herself and
companions. The spectators sat in dumb,
helpless silence, watching with fascinated eyes
the progress of the play now rendered too real
by the presence OF the bandits Clear, calm
and thrilling, rose Biancas voice as she plea
ded earnestly to have her companions if not
herself spared Not the most eager, atten-
tive listener could perceive the slightest fall