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

| turn W poirou. NO fIlnn cdu Irec tneS
from thy fathers cursel"
| Again loud clap OF thunder was
heard, which seemed 10 roll from one
end OF the armament TO the other,
and the people withdrew 70. their
homes, horror-stricken, leaving the old
man and his accursed sen. Vlad turned
aside, and leant heavily on Neagoe's
shoulder. The wind blew through his
long beard, and penetrated the girls
scanty clothing. They were cnveloped
I'm cloud of dust. which did not dis
perse until the rain fell In torrents.
when Vlad md Neagoe had Disappeared
| Radu remained on his knees. abandoned
by all, for none of bis acquaintances
would speak to him.
1leano was led into neighboring
house, shrieking and weeping. and
tearing from her head the costly gold
en- "beteala." which she trod under foot.
Her friends sympathized with her, but
they asked: "Why had she fallen SO
deeply In love with Radu, OF whom one
knew nothing. not even whence he
came, or who his family was? So ii Is
when one does not marry man from
ones own village, and when ones par
ents spoil one, as Ilcnno's parents
| spoiled herl Her father should have
beaten her, and have locked her up in
the house, and then this misfortune
would not have happened"
So they spoke amongst themselves,
| while the wretched Radu sought 10 find
shelter within the porch of the church,
| but the verger closed the door quickly,
| and did not allow him to enter. He
was In despair, for he knew not where
| to flee--evcry one would look coldly on
him, and despise him. Suddenly he
| heard rapid steps coming through the
darkness, and soon young man APP
| preached the church. He was at first
much frightened on seeing Radu, but
after time he approached him, say
| ing:
II pray thee, friend, ,Sfor Gods sake,
! do not betray me! l have but just es-
capped from the Salt Mines, and know
not where to conceal myself"
Poor Sandule-for it was indeed he
knew not that Neagoe, his beloved
Neagoe, had stood on the same spot but
an hour ago!
"iow can I help thee?" said Radu,
"for l also am prosecuted, and know
not which way to turn for peace. a
wild beast could serve thee better than
/! Yet, stay, up there is a way to the
mountains - steep path winding
through the rocks; no one will be like
ly to discover thee there; ! can give
thee no other advice save this"
Sandule departed quickly, without
waiting for further conversation. I'M
der cover of the night, he was able to
enter his own cottage, and pack up
and take with him the little property
which he possessed, before he disap-
peared from the village.
On the other side of one of the lofty
Carpathian mountains there is perched
small monastery, high as an eagles
nest. A young monk, clad in woolen
vestments, comes outside and begins to
beat the "Toaca." After doing this, he
ascends the belfry tower and rings a
bell, at the sound of which the monks
emerge from their cells, and drag them
selves slowly towards the church.
Many of them are very aged, with long
white hair and boards, and wear tall
black hats enveloped in long crepe
wells. After the monks, followed a
very old man, who walked with much
difficulty. This was Vlad, who had
grown weak and feeble; Neagoe cour-
ageously helped him to climb the steep
ascent.
"Ah! my child! / am dead with
fatigue, can go no further, let me rest
here. What festival did'st thou say it
is to-day?"
mo church festival, father, but the
prince is to visit the monastery. and
perhaps we may receive q gift of
money"
II need no gift, let me sleep!"
He sat down upon a stone, and leaned
his head on the side of the grey wall.
Neagoe looked anxiously around her;
the old man was pale as death, and his
lips were blue. "Father!" cried she, in
much alarm: "Say what ails thee, art
thou not well?"
But she got no reply, and looked about
in vain, in search of drop of water;
tlcn sue ran loNdlhS tuc
The young monk was just leaving the
church, and she fell on her knees, say
ing; Holy father, pray thee, in Gods
name, TO help an unhappy girl, whose
father is dying by tho roadside'"
"Neagoe!" exclaimed the monk.
The girl drew back on hearing Der
name.
"Who are on, who knows my namc9"
"Radu, thy most unhappy brother"
81 know thee not" And she turned to
retrace her steps.
"Neagoe, do not be so hard and cruel"
at is my life which thou hast made
hard"
"My heart has died within me-" said
he. still following her.
There are many dead hearts" she re-
Piled rBut If you wish TO help our IA
ther, come quickly, for he is at the point
ot death, il he IL not already deadl"
"And he will have died without lift-