Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-09-21
A BUD OF THE STEPPE

Tartars.
In the assembled throng kneeling in the
cathedral, listening with rapt attention to
the monotonous information Of the priest,
was young girl. Here, safe from the
wars alarms, her heart yearning for isola-
ton from the strifes which were agitating
the land In that early stormy period, she
offered up her petition, asking that tran
quill condition of mind which should &C.
company soul longing for freedom from
turbulent surroundings.
Her beauty was that Of flower Of tho
steppe, which, though perhaps never seen
by human eye, waves itself proudly in tho
sunlight. Her figure was stately, ner hair
dark rs night; her eyes had diamond lus-
ter (stars looking at stars at twilight time),
and tho gentleness of her nature was ap-
parent in the lines of her face and in the
graceful posture.
'See her. " whispered one Of the wom-
en-. Her thoughts are for her absent
lover
"Hc who vas killed in the expedition
against the Mussulmans?"
eyes; Pan Ostap. She is going into a
convcnf'
TIL voice Of tho priest was heard in ex
hortation Blood had flowed on every side.
Widow and fatherlcss children were there,
who sohbed for the absent ones, and now
there were ars in tho eyes of the girl, for
she remembered how manly was her lover,
how pleading the tones of his voice, and
how his glance, so terrible in battle, grew
soft and tender when he gazed at her and
in his impetuous way told her of the booty
he had collected from the Turks, the
homo he had prepared and the broad es-
tates which would be ruled over jointly by
them. And now he was gone, and only
the wandering minstrels were left to sing
ting tale of their unrcquited affection,
narration which perhaps would go down
to posterity through the ages of ages. "
Sho remembered their parting when they
strollcd together over the steppe and he
had placed cross upon her neck and kiss
ed her brow. 1t was sad, when life held
so much that was sweet, that the law of
determination had quenched u young and
fiery spirit and tho words of the priest
brought to her that sense of profound $50
lation which follows the loss of a loved
one.
Suddenly as a storm sweeps tho steppe
shout was heard outside hundreds of
figures Of tho Tartars poured in, sabers
flashed, shricks and lamentations arose,
and all tho merclless horror of warfare in
n barbarous land was apparent. On all
sides men and women were put to the
sword, and the priests were killed at the
altar. Instead of the tones of the organ,
bringing solace and joy, shrieks of anguish
arose. and where before were kneeling
figures now was confused, struggling
mass-tho spectacle, not an uncommon
one, OF an entire congregation without
warning being ruthlessly butchered.
The figures approached the girl. The
cries became moro frightful, and then she
lost consciousness. So tho hands Of tho
barbarians dcsecrated the peace and calm
of that Easter Sunday, and the steppe wit
messed once more ono of those horrible
scenes which were so frequent.
Many hours later, when the girl recov-
cred consciousness, tho band of Tartars
were resting their horses near tho banks
of the great river. Silently she remained
seated amid the marauders, and had her
hand been FREQ she would have seized "a
dagger and ended her life.
Tho Tartars were engaged in their prep
them even approached her and offered her
refroshmcnt, but she only closed her eyes
to shut ont the sight of him and shudder-
cd, praying for that death which had come
to the others and passed her by About to
enter the convent to worship and cherish
fond memories of her lover, fate had been
unkind to her and wrested her from tho
very gates of tho holy ediflce.
Tho mist that arose from tho river
wrcathed itself in fantastic shapes, like the
spirits of the departed which were said to
hover over its broad bosom, and she clasped
her hands and thought of escape where re-
lease seemed impossible
But harkl From the distance comes
faint sound. Louder it grew, and tho Tar
tars started to their feet. The sound be-
camo rumble, and then the pattcr of
horses feet was apparent. Tho Tartars
grasped their weapons and looked appre-
hcnsively over the steppe, where band
of horscmon was seen approaching.
"The Cossacksw they cried.
An answering shout was heard.
"Ncngcancol'
ACROSS the river!' commanded the Tar
tar chief.
Too late. Like whirlwind the horse
men approached, with n noise like thun
der.
ITO the swordr'
AS leaves before tho blast, so the band
of maraUders were extcrminatod. Some
sprang into the river and were drowned.
The rest fell before tho fury of tho horse
men. The leader of tho band gazed upon
the girl, and the latter, with glad cry.
sprang into his arms.
"Ostap!'
my flower of the steppel'
"You are herc Alive!''
"Alive, trembling dover'
How tranquil the flow Of the moving
water as in the twilight time they wan
dcred by the shore. sAfar the wild swans
were seen cleaving the air The rcd east
ern sun sank in blaze of glory. Tho star
thistles in tho grass dropped as if to sleep,
but tho two walked ON and talked in sub
tlucd tones.
"Thcy carried me off when l was about
to enter the convent.
But now you are safe, my star"
"They told me you were killed"
Captured only. l escaped and was re-
turning TO you"
"Some destiny guided you to me. ="
1.-THE destiny of love that waits fulfill
ment.'
"You arc changed !"