The Democratic advocate., 1881-03-05
Selett StOrp.
BLANCA CORRENI.

'NO away instantly, 1 say Leave tue
place at once We don, allow lramps
around here
The speaker was kindly, good-natured
farmers wife. She stood before the door
Of her little white cottage. nestled among
the New Hampshire hills aud with scs-
ture Of in patience ordered the old organ
grinder and the little ambourine girl TO
leave her door. They turned to obey.
when liule Harry Thornc spoke up.
"Oh, mother, see the little girl How
thin aud hungry she looks And, mother,
she looks ike Lille
Mrs Tborne turned quickly. How
strange that she had 20, noticed it before.
The little girl did surely look ike her dead
daughter. With tears in her eyes she
drew the little girl toward her
"What is your name, my child p she
asked
Blanca Correni, madam
Is she your cbild2" Mrs. Thorne next
inquired Of the organ grinder, who vas
evidently in the las, ssase Of consumption.
"No, he said fcebly She Is just no
body, without ki,h or kin, that | fonni in
New J ork, aud took Der along for coave,
uieuce.
The old man had hardly huisbed this
sentence when be felI to the ground.
Farmer Thorne arrived on the scene, lifted
him up, but i, was found that life was ex-
tiact
Wild was Biauca's grief on being told
that Guido was dead. lie bad been her
only friend and protector FROM earliest rc-
membraucc.
The old man was buried by the town
authorities, and Iheu the question arose as
to what was TO be done with the child
"Shc mus, Be sen, TO the poorhouse, they
said.
Must she 90 10 the poorhoase mother2
asked Harry.
Il am afraid 80, my boy.
"Oh, mother, don't send her there 4,
Keep her in Lilies place
Good Mrs. Thorne turned 20 The little
girl, whose large, beautiful eyes pleaded
SO eIo4ueuIIy for love aud protection, She
though, Of her own li,llc child ia the cold
aud silent tomb, and the thought flashed
across her mind that Providence had sent
this one in her place. Harry seemed to
read her thoughts.
Perhaps God sent her, mother, be
said The poor litte girl hasn't any
father nor mother, aud you haven't any
little girl Keep her, and let her be my
little sister
Farmer Thoruc entered at this moment
and Harry turned to him The farmer 5
large heart had already gone cut to the
little stranger, and he decided at once to
adopt her; aud thus in Lilies place she
was installed in the Thorne family
Years passed quietly away, and Blanca
grew into a wiusome maiden Admirers
she had many, but none we're more devoted
than her adopted brother
One winter fair was given in the vii
lage, aud Blanca had ia charge the flower
table 4 regular customer each night was
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 him at the fair At times he would
start impulsiyely toward Biancas table,
hesitate, then purchase bouquet and leave
the hall. The village girls jested with Bi-
anea about her unknown, and the young
men viewed him with jealous eyes.
The last night of the fair was to be the
gala night, and play was to be performed.
Now it happened that the leading charae-
ter of the play was an Italian dancing girl,
and the par; was given to Blanca The
dark stranger was there as usual He
watched the play with undisguised disgust
until Blanca entered with her tambourine
in her hand He started forward in great
surprise. She sang a wild, plaintive mel
ody, and began fantastic dance. Atthis
the stranger leaped to his feet with a low
cry. All eyes were Immediately turned in
that direction, aud he fell back in his seat
as white as marble.
Early the next morning the Thornes
were surprised by visit from the stranger.
His words were abrupt and to the point.
pardon my intrusion, sir and madam.
| am an Italian composer, travelling for
my health. At the fair last night | saw
your daughter perform wonderful song
and dance; will you tell me where she
learned it ?'