Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-12-26
The Daily
Short Story
BIANCA'S FORTUNE
BY Agnes S. Brogan.

I =
houses all built alike children
J swarmed-wan, uncared for. chill
dren. 1t was not strange that they
should be wan, breathing constant
ly the smoky atmosphere Of the fac
/ tories vicinity. neither had their
working mothers much time to de-
~ ote to their welfare.
And as Blanca sat, she was pic
| turing in her minds eye the glory
CT the vineclad hills of her native
land, the dark-skinned happy chill
dren who had played there. Blanca
saw, too, the one-roomed cottage
Nesting among all the, fragrant
green, which had been her home.
| What was 1t to tend growing
! things all day in garden? The
payment that labor brought, was
all too small. When grandmother
should go-for grandmother had
already lived more years than
i Blanca could count-well, then she
| would cross the great ocean with
the money which she saved each
day for that purpose, and there,
where gold might be found Tor the
asking, Blanca would make for
herself a-fortune When she came
back to the sunny land, for always
there was the thought OF coming
back, it would be as a great lady,
with jewels shining in her hair.
So it happened that Blanca pass
cd the tiny house over to friend
who wished it, and with just sigh
Of regret for the grandmother who
now was gone, the girl began the
long journey.
In her cot at night the weary girl
dreamed of that vine-covered hill.
side and the white-curtained home
which now seemed like heaven.
eff she could only get back"
tears of longing filled her eyes, eand
the pain that was yearning grew
and deepened round her heart. And
then one day, when the first breath
of autumn fell gratefully on Tene-
ment square, Blanca, seated upon
the lowest porch step, heard two
men discussing an advertisement in
the evening paper.
What you know about itT' said
one, that's Tonic, who wants grape
pickers on his farm. Just few
years ago, Tonic went away and
worked the place; he like it, he
make money an buy it Now,
Tonic, he hire people himself.
"'Girls to pick grapes read the
man, earn good money"
Suddenly Blanca leaned forward.
"Girls?" she asked, would that
mean me? Could l go there?-earn
money. too? Or is it Italy, this
Tonnes farm, an must one cross
the ocean,"
The factory men laughed.
mo, Blanca" one replied, Just
little way out on the train, mebbe
forty mile. Tell YOU" he glanced
at the girls white face, you go,
Blanca. That be good thing for
you. 1 go with you, buy ticket, pur
you on car"
And glowing, her breath coming
fast at the mere thought of green
fields and blue skies. Blanca went
The chattering girls on the train
perplexed her, she felt very shabby
beside their fiower-trimmed hats
and bright dresses.
When the tall young man OF the
vineyard drove down to the country
station to meet his helpers, his keen
gaze singled out at once the neatly
clad girl with her sorrow-appealIng
eyes
You mees," he asked, ever pick
the grapes befofe?''
And Bianca's eyes filled with
homesick tears.
Back there only, in the home
country" she replied.
Successful Tonic helped her to
the seat beside his own in the
long wagon.
Il know how you feel" he said
as they rode along.
Gratefully she looked up, attract
ed by the sympathy in his voice.
with me it was like that too"
said Tonic. 81 came to the factory.
couldn't stay. Wanted to- see the
sun -skining over green hills. Want
ed sheep there, too" he laughed,
AN even goats. Now, l got 'em
all; 1 work hard, 1 own farm. An
it's better, you'll see, better than
Italy"
When he took Blanca to the
house where a woman waited to
serve the helpers. the girl threw
out her arms with a sudden joyous
gesture
"Oh! this is good" she cried, sit
is-home, again"
The next morning she found her
self singing as she caught the ripe
grapes from their vines.
You are dom fne."
1t was TONES voice At last he
had come, and stood looking down
upon her. Some shyness in the
mans bearing brought to the girl
pew confidence in herself.
Il love it ALL" she said and drew
In breaths of the clear air.
Even the little house that is my
home?" asked Tonic eagerly.
Blanca nodded. IF it had white
curtains in the windows" she said.
an a flower peeping out between,
1t would then be like my own home
across the seas"
DO you think" asked Tonic
haltingly, that you-could put
those curtains there, an make it
your home, mebbe, Blanca? / know
you little while. but OH I love
you much. So much l want you,
be my wife Blanca"
Swiftly. the girl bent again to her
work. then the dark eyes flashed a
glance of promise.
by an by" murmured Blanca,
sometime. l tell you"