The Arkansaw traveler. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1882-1???, 1883-09-29
fed above all a, having made these refiec-

fed above all at having made these reaec-
tons.
We'll, you are lucky!" she said to her,
with a boastful look. "Our countess
took fancy to you at the first glance
you are now on the list of embroideries
You may thank God for it. 1t is not often
the countess takes fancy like that at
hrs: sight"
lis She, then, unkind" innocently in
quired the girl.
Unkind. Oh. no capricious, like all
mistresses, but the kindest lady in the
world, and generous! Besides, this is a
rich house; nothing is counted-nothing
at all. This is better than your village"
continued Dacka, proud of belonging to
such noble masters, and DESTROYS to i'm
press on the mind OF the simple peasant
girl the importance and dignity oil the
functions she was promoted to.
II is more beautiful" replied Mavra,
bending intently to her work.
1T was lucky they taught you to en-
broider, else you would have been sent to
the poultry-yard to feed the cocks and
hens and look after the calves. How did
you learn"
My mother taught me; she was FORM
erly in service; she was a dvorovaia in
the time of the late countess. She mar
ned peasant"
"Ahw said Dacka, - thought your
manners were not quite those of peas
ant girl; if your mother was in service,
that's another thing. Come, take a cup
of coffee with me. Prepare the coffee
pot and make haste before the others
came: can't ask every one, you under
stand"
To Mavra there was but little differ
ence between the is6a Of her father and
:. the work-room of the seignorial mansion.
i Here, as there, her life was spent in assid-
uous work from sunrise to sunset. There,
her mother, an austere, sombre woman,
like most village matrons. to whom life
had proved no light matter; here, the
lady's maid, often grumbling, but at times
kind and even condescendiHg. The
chief difference between the two modes
OF life consisted of the daily visits of the
countess, who generally said nething, but
passed with solemn air through this
roomful Of silent, awe-stricken women.
But one thing was liking to Mavra, and
I oitS Nodtd iCRAaNC- CSNhfbk
hour of rest which she used to spend by
the fountain when sent to draw water for
her mother, or on the threshold of their
cabin watching the spring rain falling
soft and warm, melting the snow so
quickly that its thickness might be seen
visibly diminishing; or, again, in the
month Of May, standing at the edge of
the forest, listening to the nightingales
singing on the delicate golden branches
OF the perfumed birch tree.
Winter passed fairly well, but when the
FIRST breath of warm air set the melted
snow streaming down the roofs, which
again the nights frost transformed into
long stalactites of ice, Mavra felt strange,
vague aching in her heart. The house
was overheated. and the close, nauseous
air made her sick. What would she not
give to run as of old over the moors, to
see il the moss was beginning to appear
under the crystalized transparent carpet
of snow.
Whats the matter with this little
girl!" asked the countess one day. as
she stopped before the frame at which
the young peasant girl was diligently
working. "She was as fresh as a rose
anu ~" ohC udS StoWu yCiiON. itO you
fell pain anywhere, Mavra?"
Mavra raised her blue eyes to the
noble lady who, for the second time in
her life, deigned to address her, and re-
piled in her low voice:
Nowhere, your highness."
Then why are you so yellow ~
don't know, your highness."
The countess dropped her eye-glass
and looked kindly at the young girl.
81 know" said she, after a moments
pause 1.-The child wants air. She came
here from her village, and has passed the
whole winter STOPPING over her frame
Henceforth, little girl, you must get on,
into the fresh air twice day. and mus,
learn the service Of my bedroom this
will give you exercise"
Thereon the countess quilted the room,
followed by Mavra's grateful eyes, now
filled with tears. From that day Mavra
worshiped the countess; to approach
her, to touch what she had worn, TO
serve her, to receive her orders and
execute them with the utmost speed and
dexterity was the great Joy of this humble
girl Her mistress, wrapped in all this
gorgeous luxury, the elements of which
udd UGH 81 iouS uuuCt uCf eyes III tic
workroom. appeared to her as some
august being nearer her Creator than
any other of her fellow creatures. No,
only did Mavra pray to God for her. bu,
at times she inwardly prayed TO her as
TO saint, thinking that the pleadings OF
a being so superior must have equal
weight with the powers Of heaven as with
those of earth.
summer was already on the wane when
the noble mansion. habitually so tranquil
was suddenly filled with noise and
gayety. The young Count Serge had
sent his carriage on before him; saddle
: horses and hounds were stamping and
} neighing in their stalls and barking in
their kennels as though the one aim Of
life were to make the mos, noise possible
. in given time.
How handsome he is. our young
! COUNT Daoka kept on saying the live
. long day, to while away the tedious hour.
| tkA eslnx.f 81. L. L.