South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-05-17

sSo'St ~ "W yes mnAo you nappy.
Here Bridgetis some money for you. and
be sure you DO not send her ont to sing
again. have something better for her
to do"
Bridget dropped another courtesy and
her mouth opened wide. for she was all
mystified and bewildered.
An hour later and Mr.. Patron is again
/ seated in his easy chair before his bright
coal fire. with his dressing gown once
more folded around him. Tho only diff.
ference is that he smiles instead Of
signing as he did before.
"Ah. yes" he says. II SEQ my way
clear. l can now without hesitation
call on Madame 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 lutte pro-
tegc. / will see her Tomorrow morn
ing, and perhaps she will accompany
me to Bridgets lodging. Not very
inviting walk to invite the lady OF my
heart to share. but then the circumstan-
ces are peculiar"
Now think Of 1t. must engage Of
my landlady the little bed room next
mine. am determined to adopt that
singing cherub for my own. l will
change her name to Casta Diva Patron.
IL sounds SO musical. aud she is music
itself. Ii sweet Mime Victor only sees
in her what do, We shall be an exceed
ingly happy family. l declare. feel
like husband 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 till lie fairly laughs a.
loud in his sleep.
Now it is morning; and If you will
put your head out Of your door you can
see him going along the hall. He stops
at No. 6-knocks gently; but the rich
toned piano. touched by athrilling hand
does not allow so lovelike tap to be
heard. This time he knocks louder !;
the music stops, and the door is opened
by q beautiful woman, who invites him
to enter. Well. don't wonder he fell
in love with her! Let's 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, because promised wouldn't
but Mr.. Patron has staid in there a
grea: while, and be didn't ask her to
play once.
Now the door opens again and they
come out together; he in his overcoat
and hat, she in her cloak and bonnet.
He looks very much excited, and she
looks pale and trembles so she can
scarcely speak. Sue takes his offered
arm and goes down stairs and out the
street2por. do believe they are 90
ing tosBridget's.
And so they we're.
Good Mr.. Patron walks slowly with
the lady, for sho has every reason to
tremble she believes she is Lauretts's
mother; for she has been telling her
friend how her husband was killed in a
mob one dreadful day because he was a
great politician, and when they burned
his house they took her and threw her
into prison, where she remained whole
year, and only made her escape when,
during terrible troubles in Italy, the
prison doors were unbarred to oil.
She had sought frantically for her child,
but in vain and believing that both Lau.
retta and her nurse were crushed in the
same mob that killed her husband, she
came to America to try TO earn liveli.
hood among hospitable strangers by her
fine musical education and uncommon
voice.
Nine Victor believes that Lauretta
is her child, because their two stories
are so strangely alike. Five years
have passed since she left Italy but she
knows her eyes will not deceive her.
Her baby's features are indelibly en-
graved upon her heart.
Her kind friend supports her up the
five flights Of stairs, and then she stops
to take breath and nerve herself for
either intense happiness or heavy dis.
appointment.
They are about to enter the room
where little voice greets her ear sing
ing, with wonderful power and ex.
preston, an italian melody which the
lady herself used to sing in her own
sunny land. She stops and grasps the
arm OF her friend.
"Oh watt" she whispers. "let me try y
and, with great effort, abe continues
aud completes the unfinished strain in
a voice that an angels might not ex-
coed.
He opens the door.
Lauretta stands in the center Of tie
room. alone. pale and ogitated her
great eyes dilated with emotion long
repressed. Her mothers voice has
reached a spot in her little heart which
vibrates on her memory like glimpse
OF heaven.
Nine Victor sinks upon chair and
gazes long& earnestly upon the little mo.
tionless figure then she stretches out
her arms and whispers, Come here"
Lauretta slowly advances, and when
she is close to the beautiful lady, she
nestles her head upon her bosom and
draws a long, deep sigh.
Tell me your whole name, sweet
one"
"Lauretta Victor"
The lady presses the little form still
closer.
Darling. | am your mother"
"I know il" signs the child.