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

So \lad ana his uaugntef, Nengoe,
set off together, as il that were the
proper thing for them to do. They had
scarcely LETT the village when woman
knocked at the window of Neagoes
stepfather's house, who, thinking it
was Neagoe, began TO upbraid her, cali
ing out: snake haste and put the
'niamaliga' on to boil, thou accursed
good-for-nothing! thou murderer's
cub! Come quickly or will break thy
bones;" then rushed TO the door, clench-
ing a piece of woos in his hands, an
angry frown on his red face.
The woman who knocked at the win
dow cried out: "Hold hard, my mani
don't scold Neagoe. or uselessly infuri-
ate yourself, for she has gone beyond
your reach"
''She is gone! and where to, neigh
bor?"
"She has gone out into the wide
world in company with thin, wizened
old man, who told her that he was her
father, Vlad, from the salt mines. He
asked her of Florica, and of his nome,
and of his son Radu." The man seemed
ElluCk With dluillis NHllG tho
woman continued: "Why art thou SD
afraid? for sure it was no ghost, but
' lad himself. Vasilica's mother re-
membered him immediately"
After the stepfather had somewhat
recovered himself, they asked him IL
lie wished Neagoe to be brought back
forcibly, but he answered that he never
wished to see her again.
Soon many persons congregated to-
,gether, both young and old; the wom-
en---already fatigued with their days
labor--could with difficulty pacify the
children, who cried for Neagoe. Then
they all gossiped together, and agreed
that she was quite right to go away.
for her stepfather scolded her, and
often he even beat her, after he had
put her mother under ground. The af-
fair with Sandule also had made him
very angry.
Meanwhile Neagoe and Vlad were far
away on their tramp. As yet they had
not spoken a word of Sandule, for each
was afraid to mention him.
That night they slept in the open air,
ms he had not seen the sky above, or
breathed free, fresh air for so long a
time. Neagoe sat all night with her
arms clasping her knees. She thought,
and thought again, of Sandule. What
had become of him? Where had they
taken him to? He was so young, so
handsome. surely no one would Judge
him harshly. The magistrates would
understand that he had been provoked
and was in violent passion, and that
he had not intended to kill the boy.
And in this same way had Neagoe
passed her nights since Sandule had
been condemned.
Vlad watched her and heard her
heavy sighs; he regrstted that he could
give her no consolation; he felt that
she could have no respect for him, for
the wife who had forgotten him and
taken another husband could but have
spoken III of him 10 their daughter.
At length, weary of the prolonged
silence, Vlad said: "Art thou sorry,
girl, that thou hast come with me?"
sam sorry? mol indeed, thank
1Ou tndb 4 am Tree, anu IHub HO one III
the village knows where to find me-"
At length the day broke, the larks
sang their joyful song, the sun rose in
Ats solemn splendor.
"Dost thou know, child, that see the
sun rise to-day for the first time in six
teen years? Dost thou hear that lark,
Neagoe? Thou, who art burnt by the
rays of the sun, know'st not how hard
it is to be deprived of light and fresh
air!"
Vlad's pale lips smiled, and his wan
face frightened. Neagoe trembled,
and heavy tears rose 10 her eye-lashes,
which she raised and let fall again, like
wings. to prevent the tears from eSeap-
dng.
Father, 1 wish to ask thee some-
thing" she said, at last.
The old man listened, expecting to
hear her speak Of Sandule.