Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1888-01-28
TlIE BURNING MOUNTAIN.


was not Ia vain that she possessed such
large eyes, finely arched black eyebrows
and small, aquilinc nose. Her mouth,
too, though somewhat large, was rosy and
well shaped. and when she spoke or
laughed her teeth showed like two white
rows of shining pearls. Her jet black
trcsscs were bound around her head like
q coronct, which made the country folks
mockingly call her "Prim de Imparat"
Uhe young emprcssl. Her tall figure and
well poised head gave her so majestic q
bearing that she well mcrited the sobri-
quct In question. She was not, however,
too proud TO turn round when Tannas
passed by, nor 10 listen 10 his compliments
when they danced the "Hora" together
on Sunday evenings on the village green;
but when any auusi0n was made to this
love affair, Paouna grew very red and
gave sharp answers TO what she consid-
ercl impcrtincnt remarks.
Many Other young peasants In the neigh
boring villages, as well rs In their own,
became envi"usof Tannas, more especially
when they learned that he and Paouna
were really letrothed. But, alas! soon
cruel war broke out and Tannas had to
marcl, with the army to the banks Of the
Danube. Poor Paouna pcnt up her tears
In the presence of strangers, aud no one
dared To ask her even II she shed them In
secret II seemed very long before news
OF the army reached her; but when she
heard the villagers talking ot battle
which had taken place, she had TO lean
for support against the stone cross at the
entrance of the village, so sick and giddy
did she become. From that time forth
night brought her no rcpose. and she was
compelled to burn her little lamp, so rs
not to see the phantom which constantly
pursued hcr--Tannas. covered with
wounds, dying ar dead.
Oac gloomy night she was seated on
The cd;:,. IL her bed, her hnrds crossed on
her lap. her eyes wide open looking out
into the void. and needing not footsteps
which came stralthily along outsid. the
house, when some one tapped lightly nt
her window. She sprang 10 her feet. and,
sitting scream, turned round and tried
70 penetrate the 0bscurity. II seemed to
her that Tannas was there, and at the
same moment she heard her name softly
called. 'paouna, Paouua. dear, come out
TO me Fear nothing; II Is !. Tannas,
only Tannas." Paouna hal already her
hand on the lock Of the door. an! in an
instant she was outside. Immediately
two strong arms claspc,l her round tho
waist but she quickly discngaged herself,
saying: "is It really you, Tannas. or Is
some one playing me trick" "lt II no
trick, Paouna darling" said he. "See,
touch your own ring, and here round my
throat Is the little SILVER image you gave
me. could contain myself no longer, so
came TO see II you were still faithful to
me-" "Who, then, has sent you away
from the army" she asked. "Why, no
one, Of course" mo one. and yet
you are here! The war. then, Is en,letl."
"Oh, no, they are stlll fighting. but stole
secretly away for love Of you, Paouna."
"For love Of me" she cried, bursting into
n niockin; laugh; did you think, then.
that ! should bc proud To have a desertcr
for my lover! Go away Instantly, i'm
plosc YOU" as this your love, Paouna.
You send me away TO my death; you
crush my dearest hopes" Go where
you will, but leave me, and mark well
what | say: Never will iecomc your
wife, never will l tax. for my husband
man whom ! lcspisc." you love an-
other, them" said he. mo. Tannns, I
still love you. and only y~i; for you only
have ! " uclel through all these long and
weary nights. but never did the idea sug-
gcst itself ~ me that loved coward"
Thcn l.,ouna hid her face In her hands
and l-c': IN tn weep bitterly. "And I who
thou 1T yua would receive me so joyfully,
and put me IN such safe hiding" said he
In n disappointed tone. "Oh, shame.
shame u me-" she cricl. that I should
be yonr hctrothcd! But hear now what
say, the Bucegi itself shrll burn before
consent to i'c your wife" Here the young
couple exchanged such anTry glanccs that
their eyes CLEANED In the obscurity Of the
night.
Smlicaly the sky became illun,incd by
q roscatc reelection, and when they looked
up 1t uccmcd rs II the summit Of the great
mountain, the Buccgl. were In flames
The brightness grew more and mora In
tense. AMI red fire seemed 20 shoot up.
warl from amid mass Of stars. The
nci.:hborS ran To their windows and doors,
crying out that the forest was ON fire, that
the mountain was burning: Dogs harked,
cocks crowed. Paouna seized the young
man by the shoulder. and giving him a
vigorous push, cricd in low voice, Go
away from here, 60 aud hide your head
or ! shall die Of shame" Then hastily
she closed the door aud extinguished her
lamp. In an agony of fear her eyes fol-
lowed Tannas crec.,ny along under the
shade of the cottages Little heed gave
shc when the neighl'ors called to her to
come ont and sec the miracle az the burn.
Ing mountain.
Fro,a that night pnouna grew pale and
thin, and was no longer seen To smile; she
who used 10 he No fond of jokes aud smar.
speechcs give now hut hasiy and curt re-
niles All tlnv she worked silent nnd
pensivc, pausing only occasionally TO seat
herself at the edge of the fountain and
bathc her burning forehead. Sometimes
she gazc,l on her own reflection In the
water or cast n terrified look up 10 the
heights Of the Buceg mountains. Grad.
ually che ruinor spread that Tannns hnd
been seen In the village. There were
those who pretended tO have recognized
him by the light OF tic burning mountain.
and had even heArd his voice In convcrsu.
her ns to the truth of this large drops al
lips grew white and she iremhled when
silent with us when the Buccgi was IN
her head, blt her lips and pretended that
In the age Of wickedness most extraor.
dinAry things would como 20 pass.
AZ length there arrived news from tie
Danube's hanks, news OF fierce strife,
Of a bloody battle having been fought
This time Pnouna was among the lnst 20
learn what had occurred. but when Il did
rearch her ears she ran quickly hcme.
made up little bur4ie OF linen with .