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

and spme slices OF baked pumpkin and .
wooden flask Of water, and saying 20 her
mother, "Iiavc no fear for me. you will
sec me home again very soon," sct on to
walk her long and weary journey.
Night came over the battle field, the
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 riderlcss. The remnant Of thc army
was encampctl around large fires and hal
no ears for the groans of their quondam
comrades. now lying PROSTATE on the cold
earth. One woman alone traversctl
the ranks, searching and inquiring for
Tannas In every tent. Armed only
with her courage, she went alike
to friend and foe, giving water 20
some and examining carefully the fnccs
Of those who needed drink no longer. At
length the round moon shonc full on this
scene Of horror, and the young girl more
easily continued her task, turning now on
this side, now ON that, knecling here and
there-seeking, seeking some one wearing
little metal image tied around his stained
aud swollen throat-sOme one with ring
which she could readily recognize cncir-
cling his stiffened finger. The camp was
now plunged In sleep, but still guided by
the moons rayo PaUuna pursued her
weary course amidst the dying and the
dead. Sometimes she gently called,
"Tannas, Tannas," and occasionally o
feeble sigh answered her appeal; then she
would hopefully approach, but after
searching from whence the sigh came,
aud giving water to drink, and care
fully examining in vain, she shook
her head and went wearily 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
tance. She ran hastily along and found
herself beside o seeming corpse, partly
stripped Of clothing, but with his stiffcncd
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 tho side OF blood
stained and scarcely recognizable figure.
After q 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 n sword cut had
traversed the eyes and injured the nose;
but, oh, joy! sure sign VI life, the blood
began again to flow. Speedily she moist
enc,i 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 bcnesnctor.
"My paounaw said he, in feeble
voice, ''leavc me alone TO die. am good
for nothing more ON earth, for I am quite
blindr'
''Ycs, ycsr' cried Paounn, "you ar cmy
beloved. you are my bctrothcd husband.
aud, II the go0d God only wills it, you will
soon be my husband In reality. Only re-
main quiet now; you must rest and bc
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-ncar
him, her hero! Then came summer
day, when two pilgrims wcrc seen coming
up the village roa,i-a blind man wearing
q soldiers cloak, tho incdal OF honor on
his breast, AMI led with tender solicitudc
by u young girl. who said, as old friends
came ont TO greet them, with q proud
smile Oh her lips: "Do YOU sec him! This
Is my Tannas, my betrothcd. my hero.
See the sign Of honor on his breast"
''And on his countcnancc nlso," sighed
Tannas. Never was such marriage ccle-
brated in the village! Numbers Of peas.
ants came from the surrounding hamlcts,
bringing their offerings OF nuts and white
cakes and delicious dulccata (a fruit
swectmcau. Many piticd, others sym
pathizei with Paouna, because she was
marrying blind man; but she answered
joyfully TO each md all: II am proud Of
him, proud to have hero for my hus-
band, and I have strength and will
enough TO work for US both"
The mountain that they had seen In
flames that fearful night was named
Piatra Arsa tho burnt stoncI, for the
shepherds and sportsmcn who crossed the
heights declared that the rocks were com.
plctcly calcinc,l. Carmen Silva, the Queen
Of Roumnnia, in Home journal.