Wichita eagle., 1888-11-07
and the OttouaanS

Then the steppe began to talk to him, and
the wind that passed across the long grasses
to bring him the echo Of plaintivs voice,
and soon the words Of an old song IL nearly
forgotten song by Hmielnfzki the CossacD
that foated in the air all sweet with perfume.
The voice approached always, and Suddenly
a charming head emerged from the green
waves A fairy Of the steppe, perhaps, her
eyes, dark and soft, expressing profound as
constituent; her face of ravishing beauty;
her breast, covered with strings Of coral and
sequins Of gold A fairy Of the steppel By
no means, for the hair that was imprisoned
under the silken kerchief was brown-not
blonde, like ripening wheat-and she carried
upon her embroidered chemise and her gay
colored robe q soukmanna of cloth blue as
the heavens.
The heart Of Vlasin bounded in bis breast,
while Dodena, motionless three steps from
him, plucked a flower, then another, then
still third, striving to conceal her trouble.
ut Is thou, then, who playest so well" she
said at last. But Vlasin, without replying
q single word, recommended his melodies, di-
recting his steps toward the depths Of the
steppe, the enchanted violin showing itself
truly worthy Of its name; the young girl, fas-
cinated by those ardent and passionate
strains, following by bis side with Inger-
ing, hesitating step, then with one moro as
sured, until presently she placed her hand
upon tho arm Of Doroschenka, and when he
raised his voice and sang she sang also and
with him-a duo, you would have said, Of
the brazen bourbon and the silver bell
They walked for long time, happy as a
pair of birds upon bough, and thereafter
returned to meet again every evening, but
without ever giving each other rendezvous.
Vlasin now conducted himself very differ
entity from in the past. He carried bis 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
tho humid and vague light Of the stars in the
midst Of the steppe, which undulated blacl,
and murnuring as the sea.
Before long, os was to be expected, the
runaor began to circulate that Doroschenka
had a 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
with their diversions, Vlasin camo 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:
''To the water with the sorcererl To the
water, and in with hiIn!" and the hot heads
threw themselves towards him TO do as they
were bid. Vlasin did not STIR but TRANQUILITY
raised his bow and played. They stopped 80
listen, and es the sounds grew marked, the Ca
dence louder and more engaging, boys 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 moro 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-
vino assistance TO deliver his daughter
Dodena from the spell laid upon her by that
rascally Doroschenka, the priest only smiled
and shook his head
Thou art foolish, Betzkor," said he; efo-
my part, see not the slightest sorcery in tho
whole affair. and if there is it is very natural
sorcery, which you perhaps are now too old
10 comprehend Dut winch Is nevertheless no
ofTense to God"
"But what shall dos What shall / do3"
still cried the old Berzkor
"Dos A very simple thing-give him Do
dena to wife. Is he not the bravest and
handsomest boy in Sotwinka' And if / say
this to you you viii 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, ii seems
TO me, tho 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 Vlasin, and
when they take themselves to the steppe, and
when the enchanted violin vibrates, harnoni-
Gus and penetrating, and the voices of the
married lovers mount unitedly toward the
heavens blue and pure, there is not in the
world couple whose felicity is deeper or
moro mplete.-Translated for New York
Mercury from the French of Sacher Masoch
by e. c. Waggsner.