The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-04-09
THE BANDIT CHIEF.

Blanca. Blanca was a handsome, high
spirited girl, the favorite of all the vii
lage. Especially was she beloved by
Antonio Brindisi and Stephano Eos
carl, the two h~andsomest youths in all
the town. At the time my story opens
Blanca had declared her preferencef for
Antonio, and they were publicly be-
trothed. Stephano was of a fierce,
Jealous disposition, and, threatening
vengeance, he suddenly left the village.
All endeavors to discover his where
abouts proved of no avail; but that
he had not gone far was evident from
his occasionally appearing at home,
where his mother dwelt alone, with
many comforts for her, for with allhis
faults he had been a dutiful son. BIZ
anca troubled herself very little about
his place of retirement, anddid not al
low his threats to alarm her.
One day some days after the disap-
pcarance of Stephano, as Blanca was
walking in the garden, she was star
tied bya rustlirg among the vines, and
upon turning to the spot she saw Ste
piano standing before her. She salut-
ed him very coldly and haughtily, and
turned to enter the cottage when Ste
piano sprang before her and prevent
ed her from moving.
ID., Iox.N .aNy1a4 ~ xo,1 ya
one more appeal-to give you n
more chance to avert the misfortunes
which shall surely overwhelm you, if
you continue to resist all my entreat-
les"
$50, you are tiresome," camly and
coldly spoke Blanca.
"Bianca, hear me! Hove youfar bet
ter than the coward to"
"You only are thecoward, trying to
win a wife by threats" angrily retort-
ed Blanca.
"Bewarel tell you / love you, and
you only spurn me. | have pleaded
enough. Know, then, proud girl, that
Ih~avejoined the bandits, and yourfa-
theirs property shall be destroyed,
himself taken captive, and only your
consent to become my wife shall free
him from q lingering, painful death.
What do you say now, Bianca?" he
said m%ockingly.
Nothing; / will never marry you; |
will die sooner" and, maintainingthe
same calm, cold exterior, though her
heart throhbed wildly, Blanca brushed
hastily past her tormentor ard enter
ed the cottage, and, upon entering her
chamber she threw herself upon her
knees before the crucifix, praying with
white and trembling lips the Virgin
Mary to save her family from the inn
pending trouble. Rising, she, by a
violent effort, controlled her feelings
and returned to the sittingroom where
her mother sat spinning.
All the rest of the day a shadow
hung over Blanca; every noise made
her start painfully, and when the hour
for her fathers return home came and
passed, and still he fingered, she
snatched up her hat and set out to
meet him across the fields. She had
not gone far when she met a body OF
peasants bearing - litter. Antonio
Brindisi was in front, and Immediate
ly upon seeing Blanca, he sprang for
ward, and seizing her hand, endeav-
ored tenderly to lead her back; but
Blanca resisted steadily, and sudden
ly, by a little impetuous motion, drew
her hand from Antonio, and stepping
to the side Of the litter, she raised the
cloth which covered the body, and
saw the features of her father. One
dreadful shrek, and she sank
senseless in her lovers arms.
Slowly she ~recovereds and the peas
ants bore their sad load into the little
cottage. Bianca's father had fallen
from a high rock, struck upon his
head, and died instantly without a
groan. So said the kind peasants;
but upon going to her room Blanca
saw a folded paper upon the window
sill, which she opened and read as fol-
lows:
GA push for Blanca, Isaid, and the
old man fell headlong over the rocks.
Do you not falter now"
A week later and Blanca again felt
the vengeance of her tormentor, for
Antonio Brindisi. her betrothed was
missing, andno clew could be obtained
astohis place OF confinement, although
every search was made. Another note
lay upon the window sill in Bianca's
little room.
Two gone, dear to Rianca's heart.
Will she repent?"
This note was shown to ell in the
village, together with the other, but so
close did the robbers keep themselves
that, though search was continued
night and day, no trace Of their hiding
place could be discovered. Blanca for
& time seemed FRUSTRATED by her