The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1891-10-17

her as TO the truth of this large drops OF
perspiration stood on her forehead, her
lips grew white and she trembled when
she answered: "Was not ali dark and
silent with us when the Bucegi was in
flamesy" The mother of Paouna shook
her head, bit her lips and pretended that
in the age of wickedness most extraor-
binary things would come to pass.
At length there arrived news from the
Danube's banks, news Of fierce strife,
of bloody battle having been fought.
This time Paouna was among the last to
learn what had occurred, but when it did
rearch her ears she ran quickly home,
made up little bundle of linen with a
piece CO mamaliga Qndian corn pastel,
and some slices Of baked pumpkin and a
wooden flask OF water, and saying to her
mother, "Have no fear for me, you will
see me home again very soon, set off 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 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. At
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
a little metal image tied around his stained
and swollen thrOat-some one with a ring
which she could readily recognize encir-
cling his stiffened finger. The camp was
now plunged in sleep, but 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 o
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 a seeming corpse, partly
stripped of clothing, but with his stiffened
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
L. A. of
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 a sword cut had
traversed the eyes and injured the nose;
but, oh, joy sure sign of life, the blood
began again to flow Speedily she moist
ened 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 Paouna" said he, in a feeble
voice, ''leave me alone to die. am good
for nothing more on earth, for l am quite
blindr'
Yes, 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"
81 y i
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, her hero! Then came summer
day, when two pilgrims were seen coming
up the village road-a blind man wearing
a soldier cloak, the medal of honor on
his breast, and led with tender solicitude
by young girl, who said, as old friends
came ont to greet them, with a proud
smile ON her lips: do YOU see him? This
is my Tannas, my betrothed, my hero.
See the sign of honor on his breast"
And on his countenance also" sighed
Tannas. Never was such amarriage 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 Ga fruit
sweetmeaD Many pitied, others sym
pathized with Paouna, because she was
marrying blind man; but she answered
joyfully to each and ALL II am proud of
him, proud to have hero for my hus-
band, and l 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 (the burnt stone), for the
shepherds and sportsmen who crossed the
heights declared that the rocks were com.
pletely calcined. -CarmenS Silva, the Queen
of Roumania, in Home Journal.
A Woman's High Resolve.
AooorJ;,,r, e., 49,, I,,,x,,l =, ,,-.....,. -