Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-14

make her sit and spin for several hours by
the side OF an old woman like me-"
An! then you are under a great mis-
axe, safd the guest. for can spin like
fairy! Handling the javelin has not made
my fingers lose their suppleness. If you
think that your age would he a drawback
to me perhaps l should tell you that my
who sits all day long in his easy chair, and
who drops asleep whenever 1 want to tell
him any interesting story"
so saying she unclasped her mantle and
was going to lay II aside, but Andreia, with
quick courtesy, took it from her hands,
Then Dame Roxana removed her fur cap
and raised the heavy damp curls from her
warm forehead making her appear even
more beautiful than before. though the
luxurtant hair which framed her shapely
head was not unlike lions name. The
mother, equally with her sons. looked at
her admiringly.
How are you called, dear child?" asked
my name is Crlanda-an ugly name is
1t not? was to have been called Rolanda,
but I. was always SO impetuous that still
remain Urlanda."
This she said in so serious a tone. yet so
eomical withal that they all began to
laugh.
My grandfather lives on the other side
Of the mountain. I find have wandered
a long way today"
The repast which is awaiting us will not
the mother, as she led the way to their din
ing hall, which was hung with Eastern
carpets. while on the table glittered rich
silver and massive goblets.
The young men drank water mixed with
their wine the mother took water alone
Conversation flowed pleasantly along sto-
ries OF bear hunts the one more marvellous
than the other, were recounted. and at this
pastlme Orlando was by no means the least
proficient. She had a wonderful talent Of
relating the most incredible things as If she
were giving her testimony before a justice
OF the peace. Much amusement also arose
brother for the other.
When Andrea wished to figure before her
In the opposition character of her preserver
Mirca observed that it was he who had
protected her from the bears dying en-
brace.
1T is very fortunate" said she, that /
owe my life to both Of you, otherwise 1t
would be impossible for me ever to dis
tinSuish my protector.
After the repast she begged that a dstan
and spindle might be brought to her, for she
wished to convince them that what she had
stated as to her talent for spinning was not
| as exaggerated as her stories of bear hunts
Then throwing a saucysglance toward the
brothers she commenced her work. The
threads that were spun by her nimble
fingers were fine as cobwebs, so even and
so fine that even Dame Roxana was struck
with admiration.
Il know how to embroider well also"
said She TT was my mother who taught
me that; she embroidered like fairy, and
thought to restrain my righteousness by
teaching me such beautiful work, but / had
always finished my task and was away in
the fields or stables before she had time to
think about me again. But now" con-
tinued she, with a sigh, and springing up
from her seat, but here are the horses,
and must be off and away for If / stay
longer with you 1t will be night fall before
reach home and my grandfather knows
how to scold when IL pleases him. He has
| such bushy eyebrows. and so many deep
wrinkles round them
So saying, she ran toward Dame Roxana,
kissed her hand, saluted the brothers with
her caciula, and then, planting it firmly
down over her thick cu-ls rushed out of the
room like a whirlwind. and was astride on
horseback in a moment. The brothers also
had ordered their horses to be got ready, so
that they might escort their young guest to
the confines of their estate, and all three
from the courtyard below turned and bowed
and waved their hands to Dame Roxana,
who stood at her window, a serious look in
her eyes, but a smile upon her lips.
Without knowing wherefore there came
q feeling of disquietude and anxiety within
her breast, and she would gladly have
called her sons to return.
orlando was disposed to gallop up hill
and down dale, and it was difficult to
prevent her being too venturesome that
they were obliged to entreat her pity for
the horses.
Call these horses?' said She ''why they
are but walking chairs.
Night was drawing in as they approached
her home, and she insisted on their alight-
ing and making the acquaintance Of her
grandfather, whom they found seated in
his usual chair near the stove. and strok-
ing his white beard. which fell like streaks
of snow over his aged breast.
Where hast thou been rambling to, my
wild. willful child?" said he. not unkindly.
Alas! was taken into captivity for
hunting on unforbidden ground. and these
are my two prosecutors. who have accom-
panied me home to learn IL 1 have spoken
the truth"
The old man looked benevolently on the
youths as they stood before him in a re-
spectful attitude.
Shortly the evening repast was served
and was not less gay and unrestrained than
was the midday dinner at Dame Roxana's
castle.
At daybreak Andreia and Mirca set out
on their return home, and were not little
surprised as they rode forth to receive on
dow above, but. though they looked up
quickly, there was no hand to be seen.
From that day commenced a long series
of pleasant visits Of rides, Of hunting ex-
cursionS, Of hours passed in agreeable con-
versation. But sometimes orlando had her
moments Of melancholy, yet she was even
then the more charming when she spoke
Of her dead parents, of how she was left
quite alone in the world except for her
grandfather. who was now so old that his
life must soon draw to a close, and that
then she would be homeless and friendless
What q reproach upon u.s." said An
dreia
Are we not your brothers? Is not our
home a home for you also? Does not our
mother love your" At these words Dame
Roxana's heart was sorely troubled, and
yet she tenderly loved this winsome child.
Some few days after this last converse ton
q horses hoofs were heard rafting furiously
along the mountain side. and then in the
court yard, and soon orlando appeared, her
head uncovered and her hair streaming in
the wind Pale as death. she flung herself
into Dame Roxanas arms, crying, Il be-
seech you in Gods name, let me remain
with you. My grandfather is dead: / have
closed his eyes and laid him in his coffin
and was not afraid. But his relatives
came-a whole band of them-and quar-
relied amongst themselves and even fought
for the heritage; they furiously attacked
me. because my grandfather had apportion-
ed some of his property to me, and one Of
them-a creature with a bald head-Ugh,
even asked me to marry him! Then / grew
afraid Of the monster, and told him that
my name was urlanda, and that / was too
ill-disposed for any one to marry me. do
not wish for a husband: 1 only wish to live
with you always always-that is, until you
send me away from you"
Dame Roxana had some trouble to I'M
derstand this torrent OF words. and still
more trouble before she could calm the
young girls excitement. She drew her to
her bosom. laid her hand on her head, and
49, t~-rtg