The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-12-07

rope for heating rooms, and that 1t was to
serve no other purpose than to warm my
sitting room after the fashion of my coun-
try in the coming winter. She shook her
head with an incredulous smile, murmured
Il couple Of ''Thee Thee T. Lord !
Lord y and looked after US obviously, as
with our united forces the smith and |
pushed the stove up the staircase to my
room.
The same evening the flames were crack
ling merrily in the iron pot \ pleas
ant warmth diffused itself through my
territory, and the Attic Boreas who enter
ed freely through the wide cracks OF the
windows and had hitherto made my rooms
uncomtortably airy, now found himself
fairly vanquished by my native auxiliary.
| was overjoyed in its possession, for a few
cold days in this southern land are much
more unbearable than whole weeks OF frost
and snow at the foot of the Bavarian high
lands. My pleasure was enjoyed by my
servant .Jorgi who at first sight had con-
demned the stove, but was now an ardent
admrer and seemed anxious to make up
for the contempt with which he had first
treated the newcomer by saying all the
most fattering things he could think Of
1t seemed only fair to invite Kyria Maria
to participate in this household event, 50
| begged her to come and see me soon in
my warm room, an invitation which she
seemed not at all unwilling to accept. |
had Il presentiment that she would not
come alone, and looked forward hopeful
lv to the visit.
The evening came-a cold and stormy
one. Kyria Maria appeared at my door
with somewhat hesitating steps. but Il
friendly smile. She was not alone. She
had brought the lovely Irene with her. l
received the two Athenian ladies with all
the courtesy and grace | could command.
but found it difficult to muster words
enough to express the pleasure | felt at
their visit We sat down, and when the
usual interminable inquiries after our
mutual health were ended Kyria Maria
began to let her eyes roam inquiringly
over my room At last they rested on the
stove.
''Truly," said she, you Franks have
everything you require to make life de-
lighttul. You will no longer fear the ice
and snow of winter, Kyr Ludovike, for,
though [ should never have believed it,
that thing makes your room so warm that
no frost will be able to enter. As for us,
we often sit whole days at our hearth
down below rubbing our numbed hands and
freezing till our teeth chatter. The Franks
are certainly happy nation
Il am very glad, Kyria Maria, | an
swered, that you like my room, and
hope that you will often come up in cold
weather and warm yourself. And youl
niece will come, too, will she not ? | add
ed, looking toward Irene.
Il dare say we shall often come to see
you. now that we have got to know you,
Irene said, simply, looking at me with hel
large gazelle-like eyes
Indeed, Irene, interrupted her aunt
I'VE cannot often. What would men say
if when they came to pay visits to KY
Ludovike they found us women here? No.
that will not do. But, turning to me,
'do Us the honor to come and talk with
us at our own hearth as often as you can,
for You must be able to tell us about many
things. If [ understood the language o.
the Franks, I would talk to them all day
long. Look, Irene she added, chow
beautiful this furniture and these books
and things are They are not made il
our country any more than the 'ofent,
which has been sent over the seas. The
Franks must be wise people
s.Some are. Kyria Maria, | rejoined
''but you meet them of all sorts.
What, both wise and foolish? And
dare say some are bad and some are good
People hereabout say they are all bad, bu
| feel sure there would be here and there
one | should like
Did [ not say so, aunt? | alway
thought
:sBe silent, Irene, said her aunt, inter
rupting her.
Pray let me hear what she was goin!
to say.
No, nor' said Kyria Maria, decisively
'She talks so much nonsense it not wOrtl
listening to- But | may assure you Ky
Ludovike, that 50 far as you yourself ar
concerned we have from the beginning ha,
the greatest respect for you
And you, too, Irene p | asked
TO be sure, she replied, smiling.
why, then, did you always hide your
self when passed through the courtyard?
IL was too timid, Kyr Ludovike
did not dare to look at you.
'And now you are not afraid to look a
me p
Not when my aunt is by me.
Her aunt looked at her severely, sh
blushed, and [ began at once to talk in
dustriously Of other things.
Our conversation lasted long time an
ended with the heartiest assurances on bot
sides of esteem and friendship. | accom-
panied the ladies to the head of the stairs
where, as we parted, fresh renewal G
civilities took place. The aunt said, o
lay myself at your feet an expressio
you hear perpetually. The niece chose
different form, which, though quite a
usual, sounded far sweeter to my ears
She mumured hardly above her breath
INA mas agapas'' ("Keep us in you
heart }, to which l gladly and emphat
ically responded ''Yes, yes. That
will. -
[ now began to call in sometimes at tn
cottage. found it very cozy in the littl
house, especially in the evening, whe
Kyr Spiros had returned from his day
work at the bazaar and was seated with hi
sister and Irene around the low hearth
He, as master of the house, would be en-
throned on a small stool, while the WON
ankind crouched at his feet, and looked a
him trustingly and obediently from tn
not very costly rug which was spread on
over the bare ground.
There we all three would often listen t
the tales which, enveloped in clouds @
fragrant smoke from his chiboque, h
would narrate to us, the tragic stories O
the defeat of Dram Ali and his 30, 00'