Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-11-07

rushing towards him joyously. "Hav'
you forgotten your little sister ?"
forgotten you, Blanca? I think vol
have forgotten me. It is a year sinc'
we have received a letter from you,'
replied Harry, reproachfully.
IA year! Why, Harry, / wrote BY
every mail since we left Europe, ant
since arriving. in America papa hal
visited the old villoge home, but b,
could learn nothing of you. Oh, Harry
why did you hide yourself from me
But do tell me of my darling mother
is she well Does she ever think O
me?" she ratified away, not waiting fol
q reply. "Wih she be glad to see me
Say Harry would she like me for 8
Ch ristmas guest? s.tl ~ e+-s
Poor Harry's face flushed How could
he tell this beautiful creature that they
lived in three rooms in q tenement
house? ''We occupy small and humble
quarters now. Bianca-mademoiselle, u
he stammered. "If you could put up
with us, I-that is-she"
Bianca's merry voice interrupted the
confused speech.
"I'm well used to humble life, Harry.
! have not forgotten the life your good
parents rescued me from. I am Blanca
Thorne and q tambourine girl still.
See !" and she caught up a tambourine
which belonged to ballet girl and be-
ginning one of her wild dances which
Harry admired when she was child,
danced into the arms of her father, who
was just entering the room.
"Oh, papa" she said. 1 have found
Harry. and we are going to his house to
spend Christmas, and it will be just
such dear old Christmas as we used to
have at the old farm!"
She mad her way, and the great prima
donna spent her Christmas in the hum
BILE tenement house, and assisted her
hostess in her domestic duties.
The two weeks that Blanca remained
in the city, she was constant visitor at
the rhorne house. and the day before
she was to leave for Europe again, she
placed in Mrs Thorne's hands a deed
of their lost farm She would hear no
objection and receive no thanks.
"It is only slight recompence for
your great kindness to me, mother
dear" she said. II shudder now, when
I think what might have happened to
me had it not been for you. You will
be glad to have the dear old home again,
and when Hairy marries it will be
pretty place for his wife," she murmur-
ed, in scarcely audible voice.
my child, Harry will never marry
now" was the reply.
Never marry, mother! Why not ?"
because he loves a l-dy so far above
him in life that he has not the courage
to ask her hand in marriage"
Blanca made no reply, though she
knew by the mothers tell-tal face VINO
the lady was.
That night Harry attended their guest
back to her hotel
"Why don't you get married, Har.
ry ?" she asked him bluntly.
The poor fellow flushed, then paled.
"Your mother told me you loved
woman above you in the social scale, "
she continued, not noticing his embar-
rassment. "Why don't you tell her
your love? Nothing venture, nothing
have,' you know"
Still no reply
"Harry," she whispered, slipping her
hand in his, wear your ring still. Do
you remember what you said when you
put it on my finger? o, you stupid
boy. Can't you see love you?" And
she turned to hide her face.
But he caught her in his arms, and
the sweet blushing face found resting
place on his broad shoulder.
"Bianca, my darling, precious one, is
it true? Can you love me? Oh, say
those sweet words again ~
She was sobbing now.
at is true. Oh, Harry. know it was
hold and .unmaidenly, but 1 couldn't
think of losing you forever"
Heaven bless you, my darling little
-wife!" he murmured, pressing her
yet closer to his heart, and kissing her
passionately.
And there let us leave them in the
fullness of their love.