The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-02-18
THE ENCHANTER.

Travellers proceeding along the gorg,
which separates Virful en- Dor mountain
from that of Furnica come upon the Jalo
mitza river, one of the deep sources o.
which springs from an immense cavern o.
stalactites. In front of this cavern there
stands small convent, which was bull
many years ago. This cavern is said to b.
interminable, for those who once entered
it have never been known to reappear.
Formerly the cave was the dwelling of q
monstrous enchanter, who was said to bt
always on the lookout for maidens, whom
he carried off from the fields where they
were at work, from their paternal homes
and even from the foot of the altar. 1t 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
| to deliver them; had even called out to the
enchanter by name, ''Bucore! Bucorep
but neither the enchanter nor any one 81
| the maidens ever came forth.
In the pretty village of Bucar, at the
foot of Bucegi mountain, there dwelt beau
tiful Jalomitza, young woman who swore
that no matter at form the en-.
chanter presented -mself to her, and nc
matter what fallacious 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, 81 should find some
means of escaping"
This was very audacious speech on hel
part; and the old people, when they heard
her Boosting, shook their heads, shrugged
their shoulders and said, "When the en-
oh n+ar dos hoo do atb ar
have done and wiiG follow him from in.
clination."
But a length of time elapsed before any
thing occurred to put the courage of the
young girl to the proof Jalomitza was
the pride of the illage, 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-
cordance with the finely chiseled nose and
transparent nostrils. From above hel
richly embroidered dress there issued a
delicate throat, white as the driven snow,
while the tiny rebellious yellow curls
which escaped from the thick plaits of hel
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, at the weekly Sunday dance
but she did not take much notice of pool
Conan, though he was a very comedy youth
and we'll to do. He possessed fields of his
own, horses, cows, buffaloes and sheep, and
he usually wore waistcoat of white sheep
skin richly embroidered in colors, and a
long white mantle lined with red cloth,
bordered With gold and colored needle
work. Many young girls looked with IA
vor on Conan, and JalomitZa was the only
one who never seemed to think of him at
all. Her dreams were only of the En-
chanter 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 his snares.
1t was a fine Sunday afternoon, while
the heated dancers were themselves awhile
resting, that suddenly the sounds of flute
were heard which was played so melodi-
ously that the young folks were utterly as
tonished
They looked around with curiosity, and
espied young shepherd leaning against a
tree, his feet crossed one over the other,
calm and composed as if he had grown
there and vet no one had seen him come
and to all of them he was quite stranger
He played and played, but as if for himself
alone Once he raised his eyes and looked
full 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 third time
and his gaze dwelt more fXedly. Then
Conan whispered in her ear, ''Go away
from this, ,Talomitza, that man is imper
tinent." But the shoulders and elbows OF
the young girl exhibited a gesture of i'm.
patience.
'Jalomitza," he repeated, "are you not
ashamed to be looked on in that manner"
Still she gave him no answer, but turned
her back toward him. ''Jalomitza," be
cried, Il tell you that this shepherd is none
other than the Enchanter Bucore."
At this saying the shepherd bowed his
head, 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.
Il know it because feel it, and feel it
because | love you. / see, also, that he
pleases you, and fear that you will be his
victim, like all those who have gone be
fore"
"Ig Never! swear it to you," said she,
growing deathly pale
The shepherd approached. and holding
out his flute said to Conan: Here is my
flute. VIII you take it and try your
hands"
Without considering what he was doing,
Conan seized the instrument and com
menced playing but with such yerve and
spirit that he was astonished at his own
performance. He composed fresh Rou-
manian dances. such as he had never before
heard; bat he remarked that no matter
what the dance might be, each time it was
the shepherd who gave his hand TO Jalo-
mitza
Then he began sorrowful song. so pc
thetically sorrowful that the women had
tears in their eyes. and Jalomitza entreated
him to leave on this strain of melancholy.
But he was not to be dissuaded and still
continued to play, wearing sn expression
of deep sorrow on his countenance.
Soon evening approached and the dan
GERS began to diSperse. some in groups,
some alone.
Conan remained and Jalomitza also, as
if chained 10 his side, but the shepherd had
disappeared.
Cease those sounds. Conan" cried she;
''ycu rend my heart TO pieces. You know
that though | do not love you I have
sworn never 70 belong TO any other. Be
reasonable, beseech you, and put aside
that flute"
But stiIl Conan continued his music
sometimes gayly. as If he were disposed TO
be merry. then in sI,ch q dnlnr,nr1z fashion