can procure, or refined taste suggest, and master of the unbounded
estates of Carrati, but above all, happy in Florinda's love.

THE END.

[FROM "THE FLAG OF OUR UNION."]

THE PRIMA DONNA.

BY M. V. ST. LEON.

"WHAT is to be done?" exclaimed the manager of the principal theatre
in Havana. "What is to be done?" and he paced the room in angry
despair. "This is the second time within a week that Signora
Buonatti has been too ill to sing-and to-night every seat is
engaged, the house will be full to overflowing. The audience scarce
endured the first disappointment, and how will they receive the
second? O, for some expedient. I must hunt the whole city through
till I find some one to supply her place decently!" and seizing his
hat, Diego Cartillos rushed into the street, and was out of sight in
a few minutes.

"Alfin brillar, nell i rede," sang a voice of surpassing sweetness,
which came from round a corner. Cartillos stopped an instant in
silent ecstacy, and then hurriedly advanced in the direction of the
sound. In front of a handsome house stood a young girl apparently
near sixteen years of age, in poor but clean garments, and holding a
mandoline in her hand with which she was playing an accompaniment to
the words she was singing. The manager stood listening to it
attentively, and as the rich, clear tones of the girl dwelt on the