The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-10

PLAYING upon them from place TO place.
Thus they wandered, and when they
reached village Vlad played the
"Hora," and the villagers danced
20 it. Afterwards, sometimes Nea-
goe would sing some of their
pathetic national songs. Occasion
ally, she met with work in the
fields, then her poor old father rested
quietly near her. She never com
planned, though often she knew not II
they would have bread for the morrow.
They lived from hand to mouth, like
beggars; and when Vlad pitied his
daughter, she shrugged her shoulders
saving: "It is better thus, shan being
at home"
IT chanced one day that they reached
a large village, which had evidently put
on festive attire; its flags and gar
lands showed signs of coming we'd
ding. Everywhere were people in mo-
tion. and especially at the innkeeper's,
opposite the church.
Vlad sat himself down in the church
ward. on fallen stone across, whlie
Neagoe stood near TO him, frowning at
all these preparations, the garlands and
the streaming ribbons, and thinking or
the last wedding ''Hora" at which she
had been present Then she asked In
low voice:
"Can one be sent to Slanic for murder
ing another person by accident|'
Vlad looked calmly at her. Yes, my
daughter" he said. Then he continued:
"Neagoe, have seen thy Sandule!"
"Thou hath seen him?" she shriekcd,
then fell on her knees at her fathers
feet.
Vlad made no attempt TO console her'
At last she raised her head
"Father, didst thou see my Sandule
In those mines|'
az did, my child; he is good fellow.
and he thinks but of his sweetheart.
From his own words / gathered that he
spoke of thee!"
"And thou camest away, and left him
there?"
"Alas my daughter, one does not go
In and out of the salt mines at ones OVID
will"
"Thou left him thcre!" she repeated
for she could not Danish the though,
from her mind.
"He is but young, hardly more than
boyl Perhaps they will have pity on
him"
"were not you young also?'
"No! for / was married, and had
children. and planned, and lay in
wait for the man whom / killed, whero'
ms Sandule committed murder in mo-
ment OF fury and excitement"
"Twas for me, for me, that he killed
him." moaned Neagoe.
She crossed her hands over her shoul-
ders. and rocked herself to and fro, tor
mented by grief.
Soon they saw crowd Of youths COM
ing towards them, dressed in their gay
est holiday clothing of dazzling
whiteness, thiclly worked with colored
thread at the bottom the chest, and the
sleeves; their hats, with streamers OF
many-hued ribbons, were decked with
flowers. They were gay and full Of
fun.
Listen to me, thou old man with the
bag-pipel Ipray thee come hvher, for
we must, at any rate, wait until The
bride shows herself! Come, play us
something; and your pretty lass, car
she sing us songW
Neagoe nodded her head in assent.
Vlad began at once to play, SO that
the girl might have time TO recover her
gelf-possession, but the youths clam
ored for her song. In sweet, touching
voice she sang thus:
might is fed.
with bitter tears greet the day.
For cold Is the pillow on which dream
And find him not
"My temples throb. my heart II burns,
] am we'll nigh blind from my weeping,
have no one to whom i can tell my
pain.
No one who will console me-"
"That is too sad" cried the young fel.
lows. "Sing US something gayer, my
pretty one: see, here is money foi
theel"
They thought that the sight of money
would cheer her, but she was unaccus
toned to sing Ike mendicant, and she
seemed to be ashamed.
Vlad looked anxiously at her. ''Listen
10 me-" he said, land follow as / sing
Green Leaf of the Nut Tree"
"No, no, that won't do; all the songs
about nut trees are like dirges."
Vlad then played his pipes while Ne.
agoe sang:
Green leaves. and dry wood.
Dost see my steed, fleet and proud7
Dost see my little dun grey,
And how he neighs with glee7
Then let us sing, and make merry.
"As slim ns a reed. and as Graceful
Is my little horse, hi hil
Hi my little horse. hil hill
Let us sing and make merryl'
She sang at first gayly, and with ami
nation, but gradually her voice took o
more melancholy tone, and her sadness
seemed TO take possession of those whc
listehed TO her.
The young fellows could not under
stand by what feeling their hearts were
swayed.
They all surrounded Neagoe, and one
of them said: