South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-11-17

the story. When he had finished, the
man graspcd his hand, while the tears
streamed down liis cheeks.
l MIR. Thorne,' he said, the girl is
NY daughter. l can prove it, Inc said,
noticing the look of incredibly on the
faces OF his hearers. Fifteen years
ago my little daughter. then child
OF three years, was stolen from me.
/ The song which she sang last night
was composition Of my own, and l
Taught her the accompanying dance.
When | arrived in this village, few
days ago, l was struck with the re-
semblance OF this girl 10 my wife,
who has been dead many years.
When | saw her performance | was
satisfied that she was my child. as no
one else in this world knows that
song but myself. The name, TOO. is
the same, Blanca CorreLi. Thank
God, my daughter is found at last %
Great was the excitement i'm the
village when it was known that Far.
mer Thorne's adopted daughter had
found her father, and that he was a
gentleman of wealth aud distinction.
1t was n severe blow to the Thornes
however, for they had really learned
to love this girl as if she were their
own darling. Harry suffered the
most; he knew that in losing Blanca
he had lost all he had to 1--we for.
The day OF parting came. Signor
Correni and his daughter were to sail
for suLhy Italy, and perhaps never TO
return. Harry stood with his mother
and father on the piazza taking leave
of the travellers. The poor boys
eyes were filed with tears as Blanca
took his hand 10 bid him farewell.
Don't look SO gloomy, Harry,
dear J she sobbed. Il shall surely
come back some time indeed will
SO don weep, my dear brother
The manly fellow brushed away
his tears aud tried to smile. Then
slipping slender ring ON her finger
said;
Keep it dear, until you find anoth
er that loves YOU more than l do :;
then throw it away
a few more words he said which
brought the deep bushes to her
checks then tho stage driver sound
cd his horn Mrs Thorne clasped her
in her arms for last farewell, her IA
Their lifted her into the vehicle and il
rolled away. The farmers family
watched IT out of sight, and when
they returned to the house it seemed
ne though the last ray OF sunlight had
departed
-Four years passed, and brought
continued misfortune to the Tiolncs.
First 'helr house was burned to the
ground, the farmer lost liia health,
and finally went to New York, where
they took apartments in q tenement
house. aud Harry found clerkslip at
dry goods store at small salary.
For Il while letters came regularly
from Blanca; they spoke in glowing
terms of her beautiful home, and OF her
fathers great love for her. And yet
ann not happy, dear MOTHER she
wrote. Il miss you all so much! Pa
pa gave me q magnificent diamond
necklace yesterday. but would will
Ilngly give it for one day at the dear old
farm again
After time the letters came less
frequently, till it was now nearly
year since they had heard 4 word
from her.
III was Christmas eve, and Harry
was hnrrying home TO spend tie long
evening with his beloved mother.
when he was overtakcn by lis friend
Fred. Crosby.
Just the fellow want to see 7 said
the latter. i have a couple of tick
cts to the opera tu-night; you must
come with me-
mo, Fred ] cannot. / promised
my dear old mother III be home early
Tonight said Harry, firmly.
MY dear hoy you must come with
me 1t may be the only chance to
hear the prima donna. They say che
Is divine Every body is raving about
her. Surely you will not miss chance
to see Blanca Correni
Blanca Correni = cried Harry in
amazement.
Yes, the new prima donna, you
know. And here we are now. Come
OF, you shall sec herr
Without word more Harry
himselfto be led into the opera house.
As one in n dream he took his seat.
Blanca Correni aprima donna What
could it mean?
lie had not long to wait The orr
tain rose. and revealed to his startled
gaze, Bianca-his Bianca-on the
stage and fairly ablaze with Jewels.
The house shook with the thunder Of
applause which greeted her. Harry
devoured her features. Yes, it was
his own adopted sister, the little tarI,
bourine.girl, the idol Of the rublic
And the poor farmers son forgotten
forever he thought, bitterly.
But bis heart gave a great throb "a
he noticed on ono alouIor fipoo. 81,