The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-21

piece OF namaliga indian corn pastc),
and some slices Of baked pumpkin and u
wooden flask of water, and saying to heI
mother Have DO fear for me, you viii
sec me home again very soon, set off TO
walk her long and weary journey
NIGHT came over the battle field TIE
dead and the dying lay here and there in
discriminatory mixed, while horses strug-
gled in their fierce agony and tried TO get
upon their feet, unconscious that they
were riderless The remnant Of the army
was encamped around large fires and had
no ears for the groans Of their quondam
comrades, now lying PROSTATE on the cold
earth. One woman alone traversed
the ranks, searching and inquiring for
Tannas in every tent Armed only
with her courage, she went alike
TO friend and foe, giving water to
some and examining carefully the faces
of those who needed drink no longer. AZ
length the round moon shone full on this
scene Of horror, and the young girl more
easily continued her task, turning now on
this side, now on that, kneeling here and
there-seeking, seeking some one wearing
little metal image tied around his stained
which she could readily recognize encir-
cling his stifened finger. The camp was
now plunged in sleep, bnt still guided by
the moons rays PaOuna pursued her
weary course amidst the dying and the
dead. Sometimes she gently called,
'Tannas, Tannas," and occasionally a
feeble sigh answered her appeal; then she
would hopefully approach, but after
searching from whence the sigh came,
and giving water to drink, and care
fully examining in vain, she shook
her head and went YEARLY and sor-
rowfully on her way. At last the moon
disappeared, and the cold gray dawn re-
placed its friendly beams, when Paouna
perceived something shining in the dis
lance. She ran hastily along and found
herself beside seeming corpse, partly
stripped Of clothing, but with his stifIened
hand clasped firmly round some object
suspended from his throat. On one OF the
fingers was the ring which she knew SO
well, and crying "Tannas," she fell faint
and exhausted by the side of blood
stained and scarcely recognizable figure.
After few moments she came to herself
again, and set to work to wash the face OF
her lost lover. Through her tears she
could perceive that sword cut had
traversed the eyes and injured the nose;
but, oh, joyl sure sign OF life, the blood
began again to flow. Speedily she moist
eDed the parched lips, and bound the poor
wounded head Tannas sighed heavily,
and hearing his name he sought with his
hands to find the face of his benefactor.
"My PaounaW said he, in feeble
voice, 'leave me alone TO die. l am good
for nothing more on earth, for am quite
blindW
Eyes, yesr" cried Paouna, ''you ar envy
beloved. you are my betrothed husband,
and, if the good God only wills it, you will
soon be my husband in reality. Only re-
main quiet now; you must rest and be
silent while watch by you"
Many long weeks have expired since
that cold gray morning dawn, long weeks,
during which, by night and day, Paouna
has watched by the hospital bedside of
Tannas, she herself taking no rest, con-
tent only to be always near him-near
him, hsr hero Then camo a summer
day. when two pilgrims were seen coming
I'D the village road--a blind man wearing
II SOIOllGI > SlOth. tut ihSNei Va AOANA va
his breast, and led with tender solicitude
by young girl, who said, as old friends
came ont to greet them, with n proud
smile on her lips; "Do YOU see himY This
is my Tannas, my betrothed, my hero.
See the sign Of honor on his breast"
"Aud on his countenance Also" sighed
Tannas. Never was such marriage cele-
brated in the village Numbers Of peas
ants came from the surrounding hamlets,
bringing their offerings of nuts and white
cakes and delicious dulceata "a fruit
sweetmeaO. Many pitied, others SYM
pathized with Paouna, because she was
marrying a blind man; but she answered
joyfully to each and ALL II am proud Of
him, proud to have n hero for my hus-
band, and | have strength and will
enough to work for US both. l."
The mountain that they had seen in
flames that fearful night was named
Piatra Arsa the burnt stone, for the
shepherds and sportsmen who crossed the
heights declared that the rocks were COM
pletely calcined. Carmen Silva, the Queen
of Roumania, in Home Journal.