Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-10-01

4 HN@e~Ho~ t--NACAJs INV c4ON anu saul INV
rapid and lively. The sounds seemed to
fall from the sky. looked up, and on
the roof of the cabin saw young girl
in a straight dress. with disheveled hair.
like naiad.
| looked again toward the singer, but
she had disappeared. A moment after
she passed rapidly before me, singing
another song and swapping her fingers
She went TO the old woman and said
something TO her. The old woman
seemed annoyed. The young girl burst
into laugh. Then. with bound, she
came close TO me. suddenly stopped and
looked at me iixedly. as though sur
prised 10 see me. Then, turning away
with an air Of indifference. she walked
quietly toward the shore.
All the rest of the dayI saw her at
short intervals, always singing and
dancing
had never seen such woman before.
She could scarcely be called beautiful,
but have my own ideas ON the subject
of beauty. There was thoroughbred
look about her. and with women, as
with horses, there is nothing like breed.
What charmed me in her was the ex-
traordinary suppleness of her figure. the
singular movements of her head and
her long. fair hair hanging down in
waves Of gold on her neck, and her nose,
which was perfectly formed, and in her
sidelong glance there was something
dark and wild.
Toward the evening stopped my I'M
dine at the door Of the hat and said to
her:
Tell me, my pretty one. what were
you doing today on the roof"
Il was seeing in what direction the
wind blew"
"How did that concern your
whence blowsthe wind. thence comes
happiness"
''And your singing was to bring you
good fortunesr
where singing is heard there is JOY.
But what should you say if your
singing caused unhappinessg"
IF unhappiness arrives it must be
borne. And from grief to joy the dis
lance is not great
'.Who taught you those songs?
"No one; dream and sing; those
who understand me listen TO me. and
those who do not listen to me cannot IN
derstand me.
"What is your manner
ASK those who baptized me-"
Aud who baptized your
II do not know"
"Ahl you are very mysterious. but
know something about you.
There was no sign Of emotion on her
face; her lips did not move.
Last night" continued. lyon were
on the seashore.r Then told her the |
scene | had witnessed. thought this
would have caused her to evince some
symptom OF anxiety. but it had no such
effect
You assisted at curious interview"
she said to me with laugh; but you
do not know much, and what you do
know you had better keep under lock
and key, as you would keep some pre-
cious treasure.
"But if, continued with grave and
almost menacing air. II were to relate
what | saw to the commandantt'
At these words she darted away, sing
ing, and disappeared like a frightened
bird.
The night came told my Cossack
to prepare the tea urn, lighted wax
candle. and sat down at the table, smok-
ing my long pipe. | was drinking my
lea. when the door opened and | heard
the rustling Of dress. | rose hastily
and recognized my siren.
She sat down silently beside me and
fixed me with look which made me
tremble; one of those magical looks
which had troubled my life in earlier
lays. Her countenance was pale as
leath IN its paleness thought could
see the agitation of her heart. Her fin
gers struck mechanically on the table:
ler body seemed to shudder; her bosom
-ose violently and the moment after
ward seemed depressed.
This species of comedy tired me at
asst, and was about to bring it to an
md in the most prosaic manner by offer
ng my fair visitor cup of tea, when
she rose and taking my head
n her hands gased at me with all the
appearance Of passionate tenderness.
A cloud covered my eyes, and wished
n my turn to kiss her. but she escaped
ike snake murmnring rs she did so.
Tonight. when everything is quiet,
meet me on the shore. Then she dis
ppeared. upsetting as she did so my tea
i'm aud my solitary light.
''She is the very niscniefr' cried my
,ossack. who had been looking out for
lis share Of the tea. {
He then lay down on the bench. and )
my agitation subsidized.
Listen, said TO him If you hear c
pistol shot. hurry down as fast as you !
an to the shore 9
He runned his eyes. and replied me
Yes. sir 7
placed my pistol in my belt and went
Mt. The siren was waiting for me at
be top Of the path leading down to the
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