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

hOHle, where, UnrOugn II influence OF
her friends, she was enabled to study
ans become an actress, and in a short
time, a very successful one.
At the end of four years, when she
was about %, she was seized with a
longing to return to her native village,
and she did so. When Blanca arrived
at Chieti she found there had been es-
tablished a small theatre, at which
she agreed to act tor a few nights.
The villagers were in ectasies. The
day before her intended appearance,
to her infinite horror, Stephano, grown
older and more wicked looking, intru-
ed himself upon her, Blanca was
alone in the house, and her heart sank
within her when he began to plead his
suit.
"You have come back to the village
a lonely, sad woman, and may, per-
haps, be willing to look with more fa-
vor upon the suit OF one who has worn
your image in his heart forlongyears.
| am powerful and rich. What will be
your answer now, when / again ask
you to be mine?"
my answer" said Blanca, slowly,
sis that | despise you, and it is with
greater loathing and hate than ever
that look upon you. You are pow
erless now to do me any more harm"
"Fair lady" said Stephano, with a
sneer, 81 am not as powerless as you
think, for | can again make your
proud heart culver, and perhaps falter.
Listen. Antonio Brindisiis not dead,
rs you have supposed him to be, but
he is imprisoned in a cave, which |
alone can enter-and though kept
from starving, he is ill-treated and
hard-worked. Say that you will be
mine, ard he shall be set free, and Civ
en- gold enough to last him his whole
life."
William robber!" exclaimed Blanca!
Life and freedom to Antonio, pur-
chased at such a price, would be only
curses, not boons. He can only die,
and will only follow him. No, i will
live to bring your head to it's proper
place-the block. Bewarel for no
matter how close you keep yourself,
my eyes shall find out your hiding
place and my voice shall seal your
just DOOM"
With a low, knocking laugh Stepha-
no sprang from the room, and Blanca
sank almost senseless upon the floor.
The eventful evening arrived, and
the theater was crowded to overflow
ing; many were anxious to see their
playmate and friend in her new life,
and all eager to see the popular Ban
dettini. The play was far below any
Of Bianca's accustomed pieces, be-
ing a simple comedy suited to
the capacity of the actors. The
first scene WIS scarcely of any
note, being merely an interview be-
tween Blanca and her lover. In sceI,s
second the heroine is proceeding to
the church to be married, accom-
panied by the girls of the village as a
train of honor, when they Yer sur
prised and seized by band ofrobbers,
the chief of whom is enamored of the
young peasant girl.
The curtain rose, and Blanca in
bridal dress, followed by about adoz-
en- young girls in holiday attire, en-
tered at the back of the stage, singing
the bridal chant. Suddenly a shrek
is heard, and the bandits rush upon
them. The bride rushed wildly across
the stage, pale and shrieking-the
bandit chief seizes her and she
The applause was tremendous, so well
had Blanca acted her part, and, many
silly girls drew closer to each other
and whispered-"Only think, if it was
trueii
A moment, and the bride slowly
opens her eyes and partly raises her
self, and the house comes down in an
other round ofapplause. Slowly rails
ing herself and looking wildly around
she makes O. sudden bound forward
and reaches thefootlights, where, sink
Jig on her knees and stretching out her
hands to the audience. sheexclaims in
low, thrilling tones:
Dear friends, this is no acting: the
bandits are upon usl Look around
they are in your very midstl"
The people turn, and behold! every
door and window is guarded by o.
couple Of ferocious-looking fellows,
armed to the teeth Blank horror
filled the minds of the simple villagers,
who always held the robbers in abject
fear. And now the horrible strange
ness oil the situation keeps them sit
ting motionless with pale lips and
cheeks.
AS Blanca gave the people the dread
full information, S~tephano, the leader
of the band, came forward from the
back OF the stage, and scizing Blanca
rudely by the shoulder, dragged her
upon her feet, exclaiming:
"By jovel you chall go on! Myself
and companions are interested in the
play and business, whether you play
to real or false robbers. Go on!"
With a proud gesture Blanca shook
off the robbers hand and resumed her
part, which was q pleading for the e