The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-03-17

which will ut once relieve you of her
charge, and repay you for your good
ness of heart. Good night, little one.
I will come tomorrow. Dry your
tears, for I will make you happy.
Here, Bridget, is some money for you,
and be sure you do not send her out To
sing again. have something better
for her to do"
Bridget dropped another courtesy,
and her mouth opened wide. for she
was all mystifed and bewildered. An
hour later and Mr.. Parton is again
seated in his easy chair before his
bright coal fire, with his dressing
gown once more folded about him.
The only difference is that he smiles
instead of signing as he did before.
"Ah yes" he says. II SEQ my way
clear. / can now, without hesitation,
call upon Madam Victor in her room,
to interest her about my little Casta
Diva. / will tell her the story, and
engage her to cultivate the voice of
my little protege. 1 will see her to-
morrow morning, and perhaps she will
accompany me TO Bridget's lodging.
Not very romantic walk to invite the
lady of my heart to share, but then
the circumstances of the case are Pc
culiar."
"Now I think OF it, I must engage
of my landlady the little bedroom next
to mine. l am determined to adopt
this singing cherubas my own. Twill
change her name to Casta Diva Parton.
1t sounds musical, and she is music
itself. IL sweet Madam Victor only
sees in her what I do, we shall be an
amazingly happy family. / declare
feel like hasband and father already.
l shall find enough to do with my
money after ALL"
And SO he goes to bed and dreams
of his future joys until he fairly laughs
aloud in his sleep.
Now it is morning; and il you will
put your head out of the door you can
see him going along the hall. He
stops at No. 6-knocks gently; but the
rich toned piano, touched by thrill
ing hand, does not allow so love-like a
rap to be heard. This time he knocks
louder; the music stops and tae door
is opened by beautiful woman, who
smilingly invites him to enter. Well.
/ don't wonder he fell in love with
her! They close the door. Let you
and go peep in at the keyhole, and
hear what they say; I'll never tell
will you? Hark! Well. after all.
| can't tell what they said now, be-
cause promised / wouldn't. but Mr..
Parton hds stayed in there great while
and he didn't ask her 10 sing or play
once all the time.
Now the door opens again and they
come out together; he in his overcoat
and hat, and she in her cloak and vel
vet bonnet. He looks very much ex.
cited and she looks pale and trembles
so she can hardly speak. She takes
his offered arm, goes down stairs and
out at the street door. do believe
they are going to Bridget's. And SO
they were.
Good Mr.. Parton walks slowly down
with the sweet lady, for she has every
reason to tremble; she believes she il
Lauretta's mamma, for she has been
telling her friend how her husband
was killed in n mob one dreadful day.
because he was great politician. and
when they burned his house they took
her and threw her into prison, where
she remained a whole year, and only
made her escape when, during terrible
troubles, the prison doors were un-
barred TO all.
She had sought frantically for her
child, but in vain; and believing ths.i
both Lauretta and her nurse were
crushed in the same mob which had
killed her husband, she came to Amer
ica to try TO earn her livelihood f.mone
hospitable strangers by her fine mu
sical education aud uncommon voice
Madam Victor believes that Laurett.
is her child, because tn cir stories ar,
so strangely alike. Five years hav,
passed since she hai left Italy; bu
she knows her eyes will not deceiv,
her. Her baJy's features are indel
IDLY engraven uron her heart. Hel
kind friepd supports her up the fiv'
flights OF stairs, and then she stops +.
take breath to nerve herself for eithe
inter.se happiness or heavy disappoint
me,it.
They are about to enter the room
when little voice greets her ear sing
ing, with wonderful power and ex
preston, an Italian melody, whicl
the lady herself used to sing in he
own sunny land. She stops ant
grasps the arm of her friend.
"Oh, watt" she whispers; "let m
try" and with great effort, she con
tinues and completes the unfnishe,
strain in voice which angels nigh
not exceed.
He opens the door.
Lauretta stands in the center of tn
room, alone, pale and agitated; he
great eyes dilated with emotion lon
repressed in her heart, which vibrate
on her memory like q glimpse G
!, heaven.
Madam Victor sinks upon o chai
and gazes long and earnestly at tn
motionless figure; then she suddenl
stretches out her arms and whisper
"Come here"
Lauretta slowly advances; and whe
!, she is close up to the beautiful lad
she nestles her head upon her boso1
and draws long deep sigh. "Te
!. me your whole name, sweet one"
"Lauretta Victor"
; The lady pressed the little fori
still closer. Darling, I am you
/, mother"
st know it" sighs the child.
II UVuu knpw IT, nv anoel 9''