The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-26
PART III.

So Vlad and his daughter, Neagoe,
set off together, as if that We're the
proper thing for them to do. They had
scarcely left the village when a woman
knocked at the window of Neagoe's $
stepfather's house, who, thinking 1t
was Neagoe, began to upbraid her. call
ing out: Make haste and put the
'mamaliga' on to boil, thou accursed
good for-nothng! thou murderer s
cub! Come quickly or will break thy
bones" then rushed to the door, clench-
ing a piece of wood in his hands, an
angry frown on his red face.
The woman who knoled at the win
dow cried out: Hold hard, my man!
don't scold Neagoe, or uselessly infurl-
ate yourself, for she has gone beyond
your reach
bor?'
"She has gone out into the wide
world in company with a thin, wizened
cid man, who told her that he was her
father, Vlad, from the salt mines. He
asked her Of Florice, and of his home,
and of his son Radu." The man seemed
struck dumb with alarm, while the
woman continued: "Why art thou so
IOT SURE IL was lO RHOSl, but
Vlad himself. Vasilica's mother re-
membered him Immediately"
After the stepfather had somewhat
recovered himself, they asked him If
he 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 fan
away on their tramp. AS yet they had
rot spoken word of SarHlule, for each
was afraid to mention him.
That night they slept in the open air,
for Vlad said that he preferred it so,
as 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
mad become of him? Where had they
takenhim to. He was so young, sc
handsome, surely no one would judge
him harshly. The magistrates would
understand that he had been provoked
and was in a 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 hel
heavy sighs; he regretted that he could
give her no consolation; he felt that
she could have no respect for him, fol-
the wife who had forgotten him and
taken another husband could but have
spoken i'll of him to their daughter.
At length, weary OF the prolonged
silence, Vlad said: Art thou sorry
girl, that thou hast come with me?'
Am / sorry? No! indeed, l thanh
God that l am free, and that no one II
the village knows where to find me-"
At length the day broke, the lark'
sang their joyful song, the sun rose II
its solemn splendor.
"Dost thou know, child, that l SCI
the sun rise today for the first time il
sixteen years? Dost thou hear tina
lark, Neagoe? Thou, who are burnt b.
the rays of sun, know'st not how hare
it is to be deprived of light and fresl
airw
Vlad's pale lips smiled, and his wal
face frightened. NeagOe trembled
and heavy tears rose to her eye-lashes
which she raised and let fall again
like wings, to prevent the tears from
escaping.
Father, 1 wish to ask thee some
thing" she said at last.
The old man listened, expecting t
hear her speak of Sandule.
"Wilt thou tell me for what tho
vert condemned?"
Has no one, then, told thee?"
mo one"
''They have left thee to believe, thel
that I was an everyday murderer?
She sighed assent.
"Yes, child, L committed murder, bu
II was for the sake OF an innocer
girl"
Before Neagoes eyes passed the Wis
ion of Sandules crime; the meadow
and the forests seemed to be turnin
round with her; she listened to hC
-