The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-01-22
Blanca Correni.

Blanca COrrenl.
"Go away inst antly, I say Leave the
place at oncel We don't allow tranps
around here IL
The speaker was kindly, good-natured
farmers wife. She stood before the door
OF her little white cottage, nestled among
tho New Hampshire hiAs, and with ges-
ture of impatience ordered the old organ
grinder and the little tambourinc girl to
leave her door. They turned to obey,
when little Harry Thorne spoke up:
ooh, mother, see the little girl! How
thin and hungry she looks! And, mother,
she looks like Lille"
Mrs. Thorne turued quickly. How
strange that she had not noticed it before.
The little girl did surely look like her dead
daughter. With tears in her eyes she drew
the little girl toward her.
"What is your name, my child 2" she
asked.
"Bianca Correni, madam"
us she your childp' Mrs. Thorne next
inquired of the organ-grinder who was
evidently in the last stages of consumption.
'No," he said fcebly. She is just no.
body, without kith or kin, that found in
New York, and took her along for coa-
venienoc."
The old man had hardly finished this
sentence when he fell to the ground.
Farmer Thornc arrived ON the scene, lifted
him up, but it was found that life was
extinct.
Wild was Bianca's grief On being told
that Guido was dead. He had been her
only friend and protector from earliest re-
membrance.
The old man was buried by the town
authorities anG then tho question arose as
to what was to be done with the child.
''Sho must be sent to the poorhouse,p
they said.
"Must she 60 to the roorhousc, mother9'
asked Harry.
81 am afraid SO, my boy"
"Oh, mother. dou't send her there! Keep
her LII Lilies placel"
Good Mrs. Thorne turned to the little
girl, whose large, beautiful eyes pleaded
80 eloquontly for love and protection. She
thought Of her own little child In the cold
and silent tomb, and the thought flashed
across her nhnd that Providence had sent
this one in her place. Harry seemed to
read her thoughts.
perhaps God sent her, mother" he
said. ''Tho poor little girl hasn't any fa-
ther nor mother, and you haven't any little
gsrl. Keep her, and let her be my little
sister,"
Farmer Thorne entered at this moment
and Harry turned to him. Tho farmers
large heart had already gone out to tho lit
tie stranger, and he decided at once to
adopt her; and thus Gin Lilies place" she
was installed in the 'rhorne family.
Years passed quietly way. and Blanca
grew into winsome maiden. Admirers
she had many, but none were more devoted
than her adopted brother.
One winter fair was given in the vii
lage, and Blanca had in charge the flower
table. A regular customer each night was
o tall dark gentleman, about 40 years Old,
who watched her every motion with an in
tense gaze. The village folk were puzzled
at this stranger. No one knew his name
nor anything concerning him. Every night
found hlm at tho fair. At times he would
start impulsively toward Bianca's table,
hesitate. then purchase bouquet and leave
the hall. The village girls jested with BIZ
anca about her unknown, and the young
men viewed him with jealous eyes.
The last night Of tho fair was to be the
gala night, aud play was to be performed.
Now it happened that the leading character
of the play was an Italian dancing girl,
dark stranger was there as usual. He
watched the play with undisguised disgust
until Blanca entered with her tambourinc
in her hand. He started forward in great
surprise. She sang wild, plaintivo mel
ody, and began a fantastic dance. At this
the stranger leapcd to his feet with low
cry. All eyes were Immediately turned IN
that direction, and he fell back in his scat
as white as marble,
Early the next morning the Thornes
were surprised by visit from the stranger.
His words were abrupt and to tho point.
''Pardon my intrusion, sir and madam.
am an Italian composer, travelling for my
health. At the fair last night saw your
daughter perform a wonderful song and
dance will you toll mo whore sho learned
it9'
Tho farmer stared at his wifo, but neither
spoke for momont.
"Wcll, really sir" ho at length ropliod,
~ can hardly toll you that. Blanca danced
that way and sang that song when sho first
came to us, which 10 nigh onto nine years
ago."
''Then she is not your chlld2' cried tho
stranger in great excitement.
ooh, mol She Is an adopted child, al
though we love her as II sho had been
born to u.s."
''For Heavens sake, toll me all you know
concerning her."
Thus cntrca!cd, tho farmer related the
story. When he had finished, the man
graspcd his hand, while the tears streamed
down his ctt cka.
''Mr. Thorne," he said, ''the girl Ia my
daughter. can prove It," he said, MOTTO
ing the look Of incredulity on the faces OF
his hoarers. "Fiftcen years ago, my little