Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-01-24

caress and console him for all the troubles he
has gone through; her loving care shall make
him forget his hardshipS, and the sight OF
his child shall soften the bitter memory OF
those other sons he has lost.
And llandzia, with a smile in her eyes and
a song on her lips, goes about in and outside
the dwelling house, directing and disposing
each household detail, so as worthily to wei
come the beloved guest she expects.
And everything shines and beams as If in
joyful anticipation; never before had the
young oak leaves seemed as wildly green,
nor the newborn lambs as dazzlingy white,
nor the promise of the orchard as rich And
never either had Ilandzia herself appeared
as lovely and as fair, for joy is mighty
bcautlheT and sets off a wonan's fairness as
with a golden crown.
Gayest and happiest is little Sawka, who
with the buoyancy Of youth revels in the
beauty Of the day, in tire sunshine, and In
his mothers smile, which be had not seen
for so long. Light footed rs the wild fawn,
he is forever in mOtion-now racing over the
meadows in headlong chase after the lambs
and kids, now riding astride on the large
shaggy wolf hounds now climbing aloft to
play hide and seek among the twisted boughs
of the gnarled oak trees.
OF a sudden he comes running in breath
less over the greensward to Ilandzia--
Mother, mother, see how my father is fly
Ing toward us on his chestnut horseP'
And together they hasten to meet the adj
vancin9 horsenan. With the Reconstructed
glance of love, IlandZia has marked ere yet
he has left the saddle the heavy cloud on
her husbands brow, and the lines which
hardship and trouble have traced. 1t is in
vain that she pours forth expressions Of love
and Joy into his ear, for he seemed not to
hear her; in vain does she hang on his arm
and lay her head on his shoulder, her eyes
can win back no responding smile in his In
vain, too does the little Sawka play with his
sword and seek to attract him by childish
caresses-his face relaxed not
Let us go in" he says, at last having
stood mOtionless near the entrance; and
Uandzia starts at the sound of his voice, so
changed, so sad, so hollow.
The Attaman sits down and gazes long and
sadly round at the walls of the room where
he has lived and been happy and where his
father and grandfather have lived before
him. On each chair, each picture, his eyes
hang mournfully in turn, but his gaze is
longest and saddest when at last itrests on his
wife and child, and hot tear rises to ais
eye.
Ilandzia, all her former JOY now chilled by
q nameleSs terror, does not venture to speak
for fear Of disturbing his grief and she dim
ly guesses that for the soul Of an Attaman
there can be no greater sorrow than to have
seen his army perish. But she VOWS within
her heart that her love and her care shall yet
restore the light to his eyes and the smile to
his lips.
After a prolonged silence Kunicl at last
bids his wife tell him all that has taken place
at home during his absence; then he orders
and auanges his affairs as though he were
going Off on a distant journey, and gives in
structiOns with regard to the education of his
son.
Ilandzia listens in kind of a stupOr, and
a freezing sensation comes over her. With
an effort at last she speaks
Dearest husband, surely thou art not go
ing off again on a new expedition? 1t is
time to take some rest, and let us tend and
console thee for all thy troubles and suffer
ings"
NO, llandzja," he answers gloomily. 1T
is not to a new expedition that go; and |
shall rest enough, never fear"
But surely thou wilt not leave us al
ready?' she insists as he rises and prepares
to buckle on his sword. Look at our little
Sawka, see how he smiles and begs thee to
remain and she pushes her son into his
fathers arms, not guessing how she is adj
ding to his torrents
The Attaman presses the boy to his heart,
and his tears rain fast and hotoyer the chld's
curly head I,andzia makes one last effort
before he leaves the room
AT least take supper with rs before going,
dear husband?'
Il have no hunger"
"Then rest thee for an hour longer"
81 cannot rest to-day; by da5 break to-mor-
row must be at BiaaCerkiew to attend the
council of chiefs" and his voice faltered at
the last words Then calling an attendant:
Bring out my horse"
(Which horse Father Attaman?'
/ "Ihe chestnut. it has rested sufficiently,
and I shall want no DINER to render me this
/ last service"
/ lie places one foot in the stirrup and pre-
( pareS to mount; then drawing back again he
/ once more SEXES llandzia in his arms; pas
! si0natey almost violently, he strains her to
/ his breast, pressing fierce kisses on her pale,
/ anxious face.
1 Come back quickly, for / am sad" she
/ murmurs into his ear; and he answers
Please God that we shall meet again, new
/ or more topartr Then with suddcnmove-
ment he disengages himself from her cling
/ ing embrace and, yautmg into the saddle,
/ rides off at furious speed, never looking
around as Ilandzia's voice keeps calling att
/ er him to return soon-very soon.
VI,