Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-02-06
THE ENCHANTER.

Travellers proceeding along the gorge
which separates Nirful en- Dor mountain
from that Of Funica come upon the JalO-
uftza river ore Of the deep sources of
which springs from an immense cavern Of !
sraIactitrs In front of this cavern there
stands small convent, which was built
lgnuy years ago. This cavern * said to be
inrcrminnblc. for those who once entered
it have never been known to rcnppear.
Formerly the cave was the dwelling of a
uoustrous ruchunter. who was said to be
always on the lookout for maideus, whom
he carried of from the fields where they
were mt work, from their paternal homes,
and even from the foot OF the altar. It was
said that they followed him without resist
ance, and that when once gone away they
were never again seen by mortal eye.
Many courageous, daring youths had sworn
10 deliver thcm had even called out to the
ynrhanter by name. "Bucorc, Bucore"
lut neither the enChanter nor any one of
the maidenS ever came forth.
In the pretty village of Bucar, at the
foot of Buce,.i mountain, there dwelt beau
ti,ul JalomiCza, a young woman who swore
that no matter under what form the en-
tIalllbl tt'~fllN'N I4lltNtit ~ htI. anu llO
matter what fal,acious promises he made
TO her she would never be induced to fol-
low him Even were he to carry me into
the cave" said she, Il should find some
means of escaping"
This was very audacious speech on her
part; and the old people, when they heard
her Boosting, shook their heads, shrugged
their shoulders and said, When the en-
chantcr desires thee thou wilt do as others
have done and wilt follow him from in
cIination"
But Il length of time elapsed before any
thing occurred to put the courage of the
young girl TO the proof Jalcmitza was
the pride Of the village for she was very
fair to look upon, with her peachlike
checks fresh red lips, wavy yellow hair
and deep blue eyes, which were all in ac-
cordancc with the finely chiseled nose and
transparent uostrils. From above her
richly embroidered dress there issued a
delicate throat, white as the driven snow.
while the tiny rcbellious yellow curls
which escaped from the thick plaits of her
hair, resisting all discipline curled natu-
rally on her neck and forehead
There was one youth from the village
who had constituted himself her follower
wherever she might goat the fountain
in the fields, ut the weekly Sunday dance
but she did not take much notice Of poor
Conan, though he was very comedy youth
and well TO do. He possessed fields of his
o"u horses, cows, buflaloes and sheep, and
La usually wore Il waistcoat of white sheep
sn,u richly embroidered in colors, and
long white mantle lined with red cloth,
t1rdcred with gold and colored needle
work. Many young girls looked with IA
81
one who never seemed to think of him ut
gU Her dreams were only of the En-
chautcr Bucore, and of the means of COM
batting him so as to avenge the loss of all
those poor young women who had fallen
into lis snarcs.
1t was n fine Sunday afternoon, while
the heated dancers were themselves awhile
resting, that suddenly the sounds of flute
Were heard which was played so melodi
olsIy that the young folks were utterly as
tonished
They looked around with curiosity, and
o-pied a young shepherd leaning against a
tree, his feet crossed one over the other
calm and composed, as if he had grown
there, and yet no one had seen him come,
ana to all Of them he was quite a stranger
Ile played and played, but as if for himself
alone Once he raised his eyes and looked
iuii at Jalomitza, who had drawn near to
listen to his exquisite music, and stood with
parted lips and quivering nostrils.
After a short lapse of time again he
raised his eyes to hers-yet IA third time,
and his gaze dwelt more fixedly. Then
Conan whispered in her ear, Go away
from this, ,jalOmitza, that man is imper-
lnent." But the shoulders and elbows of
the young girl exhibited gesture of inn
patience.
'Jalomitza," he repeated, "are YOU not
ashamed TO he looked on in that manner"
Still she gave him no answer. but turned
hrF back toward him. "Jalomitza," he
cried, u tell you that this shepherd is none
other than the Enchauter Bucorc."
At this saying the shepherd bowed his
mead, but did not cease playing.
Jalomitza felt her heart grow icy cold.
and her throat became dry and parched
How can you know that?" asked she,
with provoking air, not, however, with
OUT being unable to prevent her lips from
trembling
u know it because feel it, and feel it
because | love you. ] see, also, that he
PleaScs YOU, and fear that you will be his
NrtIml like all those who have gone be-
fore"
'I2 Never! l swear it to YOU said she,
growing deathly pale.
Ihe shepherd approached, and holding
ont his flute said TO Conan: Here is my
Aute. VIII you take it and try your
hand"
without considering what he s5as doing,
tOman seized the instrument and com
henced playing, but with such verve and
spirit that he was astonished ut his own
performance. He composed fresh Rou-
ManIan dances. such as he had never before
heard: but he remarked that no matter
what the dance might be, each time it was
'"e shepherd who gave his hand to Jalo-
ulitza.
Then he began sorrowful song, so pa
tHetcally sorrowful that the women had
Tears in their eyes, and Jalomitza entreated
nm to leave off this strain of melancholy.
but lac was not to be dissuaded and still
continued to play, wearing an expression
VI deep sorrow on his countenance
soon evening approached and the dan
'a'S began to disperse, some in groups,
some alone
conan remained and Jalomitza also, as
Il chained to his side but the sheDherd had