Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1886-07-08

bears neck and fastened 1T upon Serbian
ssCome, now, p she cried, with burst
Of laughter, ''pay attention. if you
don't work hard you viii get nothing to
eat, and il you show yourself disobedient
I viii punish you. Up, nowlp
Serbian got up.
Dance, my bear, dancep'
She commenced to beat her tamborine.
and the young man began to dance, both
of them bursting with laughter, just like
two children.
In the meantime the bear had ap-
preached them, and stared at them in
astonishmenr. Cadina, in her childish
glee, still kept cracking her whip.
sCome, Ivanok-come on, my friend,
if you want to. Hopl hopl'
The animal rose on his hind legs and
made as if he was about to embrace his
young mistress. But Serbian. misunder-
standing this demonstration Of friend
ship and fearing that Cadina was in dan
ger, placed himself before her for the
purpose Of protecting her.
Ivanok pricked up his ears and gave
vent to deep growl, then, taking Ser
ban unawares, as the latter was threat
ening him with his violin bow-which,
unfortunately for himself, he still held
in his hand-rushed at him with roar
and seized him in his claws.
Cardina shouted with all her might at
the auirnal, and fogged him with her
whip until he let Serbian go; but the
blood Of the young man already Grim
soned the grass, and pale to his very lips,
he sank at Cadina's feet.
Cadina stared at him in terror for a
moment then threw herself down beside
him.
"Are you deadg" she muttered, shak-
ing him with all her strength. No; he
still breathed; his heart was beatingl
The young girl at once regained her
elf-possession ;she drew from her pocket
the kerchief she was wont to wear round
her neck Of evenings, and tore it into
strips. Then she dragged Serbian to the
edge Of the stream, washed his wounds
with the cool water, and staunched the
blood which had been flowing in pro
fusion. A few moments later, Serbian
opened his eyes, and looked at her with
a smile.
| She bandaged his head where the
wound was, and after having fastened
her bear TO neighboring tree, she ran
across the fields and meadows to the
nearest village which revealed its pres
ence above the birch trees by the three
gilded cupolas Of its Greek church.
When she came back she was accom-
panied by barber, who exercised the
profession of doctor in addition to his
regular calling, and by two men carry
ing litter.
After asecond bandaging Serbian was
carried to the village, where Cadina had
engaged lodgings for herself and him, at
the barber's house.
The wounds were not very dangerous,
but poor Serbian remained for more than
week prostrate with a violent fever.
Then, however, he began to get better
fast and after another week he was able
to leave his bed.
Cadina, who had nursed him day and
night, led him outside the house for the
first time.
He sat down beside her on the banch.
His face beamed with happiness at being
able to see nature again in all her bright
ness.
Now that you are cured" the young
girl began, without looking at him
''now that you are cured, you must go
back to your mother, and I shall 60 on
my way alone, With my bear"
s'You think am willing to do thatp''
calmly -feplied Serbian. mo, mol I
shall either go with you, Or you shall fol-
low me"
"Why, what are you dreaming OFF,
'I cannot live without you-nol lean
notl''
Cadina bent her handsome head closer
to the young man, and fixed her great
eyes upon him.
Why should I hide it from you she
exclaimed with sincerity. Il also-I
do not want any man but you; but you.
are rich, and am poor girl What
would your mother say NO, Serbian,
that could never bel-you are not speak
ing seriously
DO you love mei"
eyes"
s'Then, that is all want to know
Serbian rose up; for the first time he
looked energetic. After he had paid
the barber he had still some money left
and he hired avehicle, in which he in
stalled Cadina and her bear; then they
took the road to Zukoff.
on seeing Serbian again, his mother,
who had Thought her SON lost to her
forever, sank down almost unconscious.
"And what is that you are bringing
megg she asked, as soon as her senses
returned.
aA bear and betrothed. win you
have her for your daughter-in. law | II
so, she will at once become my wife; If
not, shall leave you and follow her and
her bear.
eIfshe is q good honest girl. .
ssYeslp
III she loves you and you love her the
same, my blessing upon her, whether she
be rich or poor.