The Democratic advocate., 1881-03-05
The farmer stared at his wife, but Meth

''Well, really, sir, he at length replied,
Il can hardly tell you that. Blanca danced
that way and sang that song when she first
came to us, which is nigh onto nine years
ago"
Then she is not your child?" cried the
stranger in great excitement.
ooh, no She is ar adopted child, al
though we love her as if she had been
born to US.
For Heavens sake, tell me all you know
concerning her
Thus entreatcd, the farmer related the
story. When he had finished, the man
grasped his hand, while the tears streamed
down his cheeks.
Mr. Thorne," he said, ''the girl is my
daughter. | can prove it, he said, notic-
ing the look of incrudulty on the faces OF
his hearers. Fifteen years ago, my little
daughter, then a child of three years. was
stolen from me. The song which she sang
last night was a composition of my own,
and | taught her the accompanying dance,
When | arrived in this village, a few days
ago. was struck with the resemblance of
this girl to my wife, who has been dead
many years. When saw her perform
ance | was satisfied that she was my child,
as no one else in this world knows that
soxg but myself The name, too, is the
sane. Blanca CoTrcui Thank God, my
daughter is found at last =
Great was the excitement in the village
when it was known tha; Farmer Thorues
adopted daughter had found her father,
aud that he was a gentleman OF wealth aud
distinction. Il was a severe blow to the
Thornes. however, for they had really
learned to love the girl as If she were their
own. Harry suffered the most; he knew
tha, in losing Blanca he had lost al he
had to live for.
The day Of parting came. Signcr Cor
reui and his daughter were to sail for sun-
ny Italy, and perhaps never to return.
Harry stood with his mother aud father %
the piazza, taking leave Of the travellers
The poor boys eyes were filed with tears
as Blanca took bis hand to bid him farewell.
Don't look so gloomy. Harry dear
she sobbed "a shall surely come back
some time-indecd l will-so don't weep,
dear brother.
The manly fellow brushed away his
tears and tried to smile Then slipping a
slender ring en- her finger, he said
Keep it, dear, until You dui another
that loves you more than DO. then 'hrow
+ it way"
A few more word, he said which brought
the deep bushes to her cheeks 'beu the
stage driver sounded bis horn Mrs Thorue
clasped her in her arms for las, farewell
/ her father lifted her into she vehicle, aud
il rolled away The farmers family
watched i, ont Of sight, aud when they re
turued 10 the house !; seemed a. though
. the las, ray Of sa0ligh, had departed
+ Four years passed, and brought COO
.inaed misfortune TO the Thorne. First
their house was burned to the ground ,b,
F farmer lost his heallh. aud finally died. Il
vas fognd, on settling up his estate, that
scarcely anything was lef, for The widow
aud they finally went TO Nes York, where
they took apartments ia tenement house
and Harry found clerksbiP in dry goods
house on a small salary.
For while letters came regularly from
Blanca; they spoke in glowing terms Of
her beautiful home, and Of her father I
great love for her And We, | am not
happy. dear mother she wrote. Il miss
you all 50 much Papa gave me nag
nifccut diamond necklace yesterday, but
. | would williagIy give it for one day The
dear old farm asain-
After time the letters came less IRE
quently, tin now i, was nearly year since
they had heard from her
Il was Christmas eve, aud Harry was
hurrying home to spend the long evening
With his beloved mother. when be was
overtakeu by his friend, Fred Crosby.
Just the fellow | want TO see e. said
the latter Il have a couple of tickets tC
the opera tonight; yoa must come with
me.
NO, Fred, l cannot l promised my
dear old mother Id be. home early 10
night, replied Harry, firmly.
My dsar boy, you must come with me
Il may be your only chance to hear the
new prima donna They say she's divine
Everybody is raving about her Surely
yeu would not miss a chance to see Bianca
+ Correni 2!
Blanca Correui ~ cried Harry il
amusement.
+ Yes, the new prima donna, you know
Aud here We are, now Come on, you
shall see her
+ Without a word more Harry suffered
himself to be led into the opera house A,
ono 10 dream he took his seat Bianca
Corrcui prima donna What could il
mean
He had not long to wait. The curtain
arose, and revealed to his startled gaze Bi
anca-his Bianca-on the stage, and fairly
ablaze with jewels The house shook with
the thunder Of applause which greeted her
Harry deyoured her features Yes, it wa:
his own adopted sister, the little tambou
rine-girl now the idol of the public. AND
the poor farmers sou forgotten, forever =
he thought, bitterly.
But his heart gave a great throb as he
noticed on one slender finger plain cir