The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-07-17

ny Chciuo lot my OWL. L VIII Change neT
name to Casta Diva Patron. 1t sounds
musical, and she is musical herself. If
sweet Madame Victor only secs in her what
do, VIC shall be an amazing happy family.
| declare feel like Il husband and father
already. | shall find enough to do with my
money after ALL.
And SO hc goes to bed and dreams of his
future joys till he fairly laughs aloud in his
sleep.
Now it is morning, and if YOU will put
your head out Of the door, you can see him
walking along the hall. lie stops at No. s
knocks gently; but the rich toned piano,
touched by thrilling hand, does not allow
SO lovc-likc Il tap to be heard. This time
he knocks louder, the music stops, and the
door is opened by beautiful woman, who
smilinclv invites him to enter. We'll, I
don't wonder he fell in love with her! They
closed the door. Let's you aud 60 peep
at the key liole and hear what they have to
say. l'll never tcll-wiIl YOU? lark
We'll, after all can't tell what they said
now; because promised l wouldn't; but
Patron had staid in there great while. and
he don't ask her to sing or play all the
time.
Now the door opens again and they come
out together =; he in his ovcrcoat and hat
she in her cloak and velvet bonnet. lie
looks very much excited, and she looks raIo
and trcmblcs so she can hardly speak. She
takes his Offered arm, aud goes down stairs
and out of the street door. | DO believe
they are goingto Bril gets.
And so they are.
Good Mr.. Patron walks slowly with the
swcc! lady, for she has every reason to trcn-
bic; she believes she is I.aurc.,a's mama
for she has been telling her friend how her
husband was killed in dreadful mob one
day, because lie WAS great politician, and
when they had burned his house they took
and threw her into prison., where She re-
manned Il whole year, and only made her
escape when during the terrible trouble in
Italy, the prison doors were nubarrcd to all.
She sought iran;Ically for her child, but
in vain, and believing that boil, I.aurc,ta
aud her nurse were crushed in the mob that
killed her husband, she came 10 America
to try to earn livelihood among the hos
pitabIe stran gels by her fine musical educa-
ton and uncommon voice.
Madame Victor believes that Laurctta i,
her child, brcall>c their stories are so strong
!y alike. Five Years have passed since she
left Italy but She knows her eyes will not
deceive her. Her Labv's features arc in
bly, engraved upon her head.
Her kind friend supports her up five
flights Of stairs, and she stoops to take
breath and to nerve herself for either intense
happiness or disappointment.
a M I,n
little voice grccts her cars, singing with
wonderful power and expression, an Italian
melody, which the lady herself used TO SIM
i'll her own sunny lanl. She Stops anl
grasps the arm Of her friend
"Oh, wait" She whispers, 'c: me trv."
with great cilvrt, she continues and com
plctcs the unfinished strain in 4 voice that
IN angels might not exceed.
lie opens the door.
Laurct,a stands in the centre of the noor,
alone, pale and agitatcd; her great ewes
dilatc'l with emotion long rcrrcs~cd. Her
mothers voice has reached Il spot in her
little heart, which vLratcs on her memory
like Il glimpse Of Heaven.
Madame Victor sinks upon a chair. and
gazes long anu earnestly upon the little mo-
tlonlcss figure then she stretches out her
arms and whispers, ''comc here"
Laurctta slowly advances, and when she
Is close to the lady, she nes,cs her head up
OH her bosom, and draws long deep sigh.
"Icll Inc your name sweet one"
The lady presses the little form still closer.
darling, am your motlcr!"
81 know it," sighcl the child.
~ on know it my angel"
~ cs, | have seen yull in my dreams, and
always called you 'motl,cr,' aud when YOU
sang just now it brought it all back ="
Good Mr.. Patron went to the window
and wiped his eyes. Il x
Once again we sec him sitting in his easy
chair before the bright coal fire. Bv his
side sits beautiful Iady-one hand lies in
i''s' and the other was tenderly strokins his
hair, but her eyes are resting upon the little
larry who sits at the piano, silently dream
ing over some of IIandel's music which her
papa has brought home to her.
The lady is his wife.
The fairy is his "Casta Diva"