Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-10-06

par OF birds upon bough, and thereafter
returned 10 meet again every evening, but
without ever giving each other rendezvous.
Nlasin now conducted himself very differ
emily from in the past. He carried his head
high, no longer lowered his eyes in travers-
ing the streets, and when he played, the
young girls, charmed as Dodena had been,
clustered at his heels. He noticed them not,
however, but went with no other thought
than to rejoin her who awaited him under
the humid and vague light of the stars in the
midst of the steppe, which undulated black
and murmuring as the sea.
Before long, as was to be expected, the
rumor began to circulate that Doroschenka
had magic violin with which he bewitched
the hearts of the beauties young and old.
But one Sunday, as the girls and boys were
united at the steps of the church after the
benedictions were over, and the parents
grouped about them, amusing themselves
with their diversions, Vlasin came from the
temple, his instrument in his hand. Hardly
had he placed his foot upon the threshold
when dozen voices began to cry in threaten
ing tones:
ITO the water with the sorcerer! To the
water, and in with him!" and the hot heads
threw themselves towards him to do as they
were bid. Flasin did not stir, but TRANQUILITY
raised his bow and played. They stopped to
listen, and as the sounds grew marked. the ca
dence louder and more engaging, bows and
girls began to dance, and soon the parents
themselves, unable to resist that delicious
music, joined their children and even rivaled
them in the ardor and zeal with which they
whirled and pirouetted
Doroschenka had nothing more to fear
from his fellow citizens. and one day, not long
after this when the old Betzkor betook him
self to the house OF priest and implored di-
vine assistance TO deliver his daughter
Dodena from the spell laid upon her by that
rascaly Doroschenka, the priest only smiled
and shook his head
Thou art foolish, Betzkor,n said he; '.for
| my part, see not the slightest sorcery in the
whole affair, and if there is it is veg natural
sorcery, which you perhaps are now too old
70 comprehend, but which is nevertheless no
offense 10 God"
But what shall doa What shall DOR
| still cried the old Betzkor.
"DoE A very simple thing-give him Do
/ dena to wife Is he not the bravest and
/ handsomest boy in Sotwinkal And if | saw
| this TO you you Will be able to believe it with
closed eyes, for after God, if there is any one
upon the face of the earth able to sound the
| hearts of men and women, it is truly, it seems
| TO me, the minister OF Cod
| The old Betzkor was by no means con-
WINGED but as in the end his signs and la
mentations brought about no change in the
situation he was forced to give up the argu.
ment and yield the game
| Now Dedona is the wife of ylasin, and
when they take themselves to the steppe, and
when the enchanted violin vibrates, harmoni.
Gus and penetrating, and the voices of the
married lovers mount unitedIy toward the
heavens blue and pure, there is not in the
world couple whose felicity is deeper OF
more complete. Translated for New York
| Mercury from the French of Sacher Masoch
by E. c. Wagganer.